NC State RB transfer Demie Sumo-Karngbaye commits to Kentucky

Kentucky earned not one, but two huge Yahtzees on Tuesday — both at crucial positions going into the 2023 football season.

NC State running back transfer Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, a former teammate of UK quarterback Devin Leary, has announced his commitment to the Wildcats.

“New beginnings,” Sumo-Karngbaye said. “To all the fans my teammates and coaches that I left behind at NC State it’s always LOVE y’all know who y’all are #BBN.” 

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Hitting the portal back on April 27, he ultimately chose Kentucky over South Carolina and Colorado, among other offers and interest.

The New Jersey native rushed for 305 yards and three touchdowns on 55 carries to go with 148 receiving yards and a score through the air this past season. He missed the second half of the season due to injury.

His best game with the Wolfpack came in a 93-yard receiving, 54-yard rushing effort against Texas Tech in September, combining for two touchdowns — one through the air and one on the ground.

Standing 6-foot-0, 210 pounds, he was previously rated as a consensus three-star prospect out of high school, the No. 1159 overall recruit and No. 92 running back in the 2021 On3 Industry Ranking. He originally chose the Wolfpack over Buffalo, Temple and Toledo.

The junior-to-be will have three seasons of eligibility remaining with the Wildcats.

Sumo-Karngbaye’s commitment comes shortly after Livingstone College defensive back transfer Kevin Larkins Jr. chose the Wildcats after leading Division II in interceptions in 2022.

Kentucky lost star running back Chris Rodriguez to the NFL Draft this offseason, along with veteran Kavosiey Smoke to the portal — he ultimately transferred to Colorado. The Wildcats added Vanderbilt back Ray Davis while also returning seniors JuTahn McClain and Ramon Jefferson. Sumo-Karngbaye’s addition creates a strong four-man unit in the backfield for Liam Coen to work with.

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