Can Kentucky football steal an explosive Big 12 running back to replace Seth McGowan?

As Seth McGowan gets ready to show out at the Senior Bowl and start his NFL Draft journey, Kentucky football has a very real question to answer: who’s going to replace his production in 2026?

The Senior Bowl in Mobile is where a lot of draft stock gets made, and McGowan earned his shot. He gave Kentucky a between-the-tackles hammer, short-yardage reliability and, at times, the entire offensive identity. Now he’s gone, and the backfield snaps he leaves behind matter a lot more in Will Stein’s first season in charge.

Enter a very intriguing name out of the Big 12: West Virginia transfer running back Jahiem White.

White has already proven he can be “the guy” in a Power Five league. In 2024 he led the Mountaineers in rushing, piling up more than 840 yards on the ground with seven touchdowns, plus nearly 20 catches out of the backfield. Add in a freshman year where he averaged well over seven yards per carry, and you start to see why SEC programs are paying attention.

The buzz is that White is very interested in testing himself in the SEC, and Kentucky is on his radar. That doesn’t mean a commitment is imminent, but it absolutely means this is a name Kentucky fans should know.

The numbers: McGowan vs. White

You don’t replace a known quantity like McGowan without doing some homework.

McGowan’s Kentucky career was all about volume and toughness. He carried the ball 165 times for 725 yards at 4.4 yards per carry, finding the end zone 12 times on the ground. As a receiver, he added 19 catches for 126 yards, mostly as a safety valve and screen option. He was a chain-mover and a red zone finisher more than a home-run threat.

White, meanwhile, has been the big-play engine at West Virginia. In 2023 he went for 842 yards on just 109 carries, an absurd 7.7 yards per rush, then 845 yards on 149 carries (5.7 per attempt) and seven scores in 2024. He also caught 19 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown that season.

By 2025, his usage dipped a bit in a crowded room, but he still averaged 5.5 yards per carry on limited touches.

So while McGowan gave Kentucky reliable four-yard gains and goal-line power, White brings more “hit your head on the goalpost” upside. He’s smaller but twitchy, with enough vision to turn a crease into a chunk play.

How Jahiem White could fill Seth McGowan's role for Kentucky football

The interesting part for Kentucky isn’t just that White is productive; it’s how his game fits what Stein wants this offense to be.

At Oregon, Stein’s offenses thrived on space, tempo and backs who could stress defenses as both runners and receivers. White checks a lot of those boxes:

Explosiveness: His yards-per-carry numbers aren’t a fluke. He’s shown he can create chunk plays against Power Five defenses.

Versatility: With 19 receptions in 2024 and more work in the screen game, he’s already done some of the things Stein likes to dial up.

Experience: White has logged double-digit starts and faced hostile environments. Plugging in a back who has lived life as a feature option is different than projecting from a rotational role.

There are still legitimate questions. McGowan brought a physical edge in short yardage and red zone situations; Kentucky would have to be comfortable that the room as a whole can replace that thump, whether that’s another back on the roster or a complementary portal piece.

There’s also the reality that everyone in the SEC can see the same tape. White is going to have options. NIL, opportunity, offensive line outlook and a clear plan for his role are all going to factor into where he ultimately lands.

From Kentucky’s perspective, though, this makes all the sense in the world. You’re replacing a proven Power Five workhorse with a proven Power Five playmaker, in an offense that is going to emphasize space and efficiency. If Stein can close the deal, White doesn’t just patch the McGowan hole, he could change the ceiling of the entire backfield.

For now, the question is still fair: did Kentucky just find its Seth McGowan replacement? If Jahiem White ends up in blue and white, the answer might be yes, with a little more juice.