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Top Running Back Makhi Hughes Makes Transfer Decision

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Dec 27, 2024 10:52 AM ET

Tulane's Makhi Hughes has been one of the best running backs in the country for the past two seasons. Since he can't take his talents to the NFL just yet, he has decided to switch programs.

ESPN's Max Olson reported on Friday that Hughes has entered the transfer portal. This decision was made one week after Tulane got blown out by Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl. Hughes finished that game with just 29 rushing yards on eight carries. That lackluster performance won't hurt his stock at all though. His production the past two years is too impressive for teams to overlook.

In 2023, Hughes had 1,378 rushing yards and seven touchdowns for the Green Wave. He was even better this fall, rushing for 1,401 yards and 15 touchdowns on 265 attempts. The sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama also hauled in 19 passes for 176 yards and two scores.

Hughes is one of three Tulane players in school history to record 1,000 rushing yards in a single season twice. There's no question his departure will hurt the Green Wave.

It's been a rough December for Tulane. Earlier this month, redshirt freshman quarterback Darian Mensah transferred to Duke after throwing for 2,723 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions during the 2024 season.

With Hughes and Mensah out of the picture, Tulane will have to rebuild its program for the 2025 season. That's not an ideal scenario for head coach Jon Sumrall, who led the Green Wave to a 9-5 record this year.

Unfortunately, NIL has made the transfer portal so chaotic the past few seasons. The truth is schools like Tulane will have a much tougher time keeping their top players as opposed to blue bloods like Alabama, Notre Dame and Ohio State.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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