Seth McGowan is 'NFL back' who could make big splash for Kentucky

Kentucky has consistently addressed the running back position through the transfer portal since the end of the 2021 season. Ray Davis became an All-SEC player and draft pick after one year at Kentucky. The Cats are looking for their next big hit at the position in free agency.

Could New Mexico State transfer Seth McGowan become that in 2025? There was a lot of buzz at SEC Media Days for the former blue-chip recruit who began his career at Oklahoma. The spring addition was the one player in Atlanta that Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops gushed about.

“I’m very excited about him. He brings a lot of juice, a lot of energy off the field and with the way he runs, with the way he plays. I think he’s a complete back,” Stoops told reporters on Thursday. “He’s an NFL back and we’re happy to have him on our team.”

The head coach was not the only one who was excited about what the C-USA transfer could bring the offense. Kentucky linebacker Alex Afari Jr. called McGowan “one of the strongest players on the team” at the College Football Hall of Fame. Kentucky safety Jordan Lovett pointed out that McGowan power cleans with some of the line of scrimmage players and recent repped 355 pounds at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. Kentucky tight end Josh Kattus says that McGowan is “throwing around weight” in lifting sessions.

The class of 2020 product is not just a workout warrior. Afari called the newest Kentucky addition “explosive” and Kattus quickly pointed out to KSR that the tailback “runs the rock hard” in team settings.

Could this be the program’s new RB1?

Seth McGowan has played two seasons of FBS football (Oklahoma in 2020, New Mexico State in 2023) and brings 1,193 rushing yards on 5.7 yards per rush, 36 receptions, and 10 total touchdowns to Lexington. The transfer is a big tailback with a diverse skill set. McGowan has reunited with Jay Boulware in the Bluegrass after the Kentucky assistant recruited him to Norman. Could he be UK’s starter in Week 1?

Kentucky enters the season with five scholarship tailbacks on the roster. Jamarion Wilcox returns after a promising redshirt freshman campaign and Nebraska transfer Dante Dowdell was added to the roster in the winter. However, this competition feels wide-open. Seth McGowan has all of the buzz heading into training camp.

Luckett’s Scouting Notebook: Seth McGowan

Seth McGowan is a downhill runner who does a good job of making one cut and finding daylight. The tailback does not have brekaway speed and can be rundown from behind. Does a good job keeping his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage and getting vertical. This leads to some broken tackles (67 missed tackles forced on 210 career carries) and splash runs (17.1% explosive run rate). Flashes some contact balance on film. Is a real weapon as a receiver on screens, wheels, and swings out of the backfield. Runs high and can take some shots at the second level. Possesses good leg drive that can create yards after contact.

McGowan is an experienced tailback with good size who fits Kentucky’s gap-heavy downhill run scheme. The transfer will also give the offense a receiving option out of the backfield that likely separates him from the rest of the room.