If you thought all of this fifth-year hubbub regarding the transfer portal was exclusive to basketball, think again. As Mark Pope swingx for the fences on the officially cleared-to-play Mark Mitchell, Will Stein and Kentucky football have a chance to add an NFL running back. No typo there.
Pete Nakos reported that T.J, Harden plans to enter the transfer portal due to an order that allows him to seek a fifth year of college football. After playing for SMU last season, Harden signed with the Browns, and then the Seahawks, as an undrafted free agent.
He played with Seattle as recently as last Sunday, notching two carries in the Seahawks' preseason loss to the Dallas Cowboys. It's completely fair to look at recruiting possibilities like these and scoff, but if it makes Kentucky better? Embrace the benefit and turn away from what it means for the sport.
It's either hop on the train and improve, or get left behind. If Harden is standing at that crossroads, and is available to Kentucky, he's absolutely worth going after.
T.J. Harden plans to enter the transfer portal after receiving a temporary restraining order that allows him to seek a fifth year of eligibility, per @PeteNakos.
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 20, 2026
The former SMU RB rushed for 787 yards and nine TDs last season before signing with the Browns and Seahawks as an… pic.twitter.com/0JODAz6D1o
T.J. Harden is worth a serious portal pursuit from Kentucky
As a senior with the Mustangs, Harden scored a career-high nine touchdowns on 787 yards rushing. It was his best season across the board, narrowly topping an eight-score campaign with UCLA back in 2023.
You can skip Harden's stats and simply point out that he made the cut in the NFL - even if it was only for a brief time, as Seattle waived Harden this past Monday. Much like the scenario on the hardwood with someone like Dink Pate, who played in the NBA's G League before committing to Providence this offseason, this is a scenario where a bonafide pro is returning to the NCAA level.
Eligibility could get messy if Kentucky does get involved, but Harden makes sense as a proven addition for Coach Stein's first season. Paired with CJ Baxter, the Wildcats' ground game would become perhaps the team's safest weapon.
Harden makes a mean pairing with CJ Baxter
Baxter, who transferred in from Texas and is expected to run the backfield in Lexington, is a former five-star recruit ready to prove the Longhorns wrong for letting him walk.
It's hard to imagine that Harden would eclipse him at RB1 after a full offseason of hype has elevated Baxter, but you also can't push a player with NFL experience of any kind down the ladder. In the case that Kentucky secured Harden, we'd most likely be in for a committee approach to the run game.
The more the merrier, in that case. Harden's recruitment is a unique case for now, but if things keep trending this way in the NIL era, switch-ups like this may become commonplace. For Stein and Kentucky, getting involved here does the trick based purely on talent.
You swing for a guy like this if he's available, no matter the circumstance.
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