Kentucky football reveals running back depth chart with surprising number 1

Kentucky’s RB room reveals power, pressure, and portal watch

If there’s one thing Bush Hamdan made crystal clear this week—it’s who’s getting the ball in Kentucky’s backfield. There will be no questions on who is running the rock in 2025 for the Cats.

“It’ll start with these two big backs,” Hamdan said, talking about transfers Seth McGowan and Dante Dowdell. “Big, thick, strong backs,” he added. Indeed they are.

McGowan, a 6'1 215 former Oklahoma blue-chip recruit, is getting another shot after off-field issues stalled his career. Dowdell, 6a physical runner from Nebraska, brings proven production: 143 carries, 614 yards, 12 touchdowns in 2024.

They’ll be the bell cows in a room that suddenly has real depth—but also real tension.

That’s because Jason Patterson and Jamarion Wilcox are now fighting for scraps. Patterson, a redshirt freshman, is “coming along” per Hamdan. Wilcox, the one bright spot last year, rushed for 590 yards on just 92 carries—an impressive 6.4 yards per touch.

Hamdan praised Wilcox for showing “glimpses” in 2024. But right now, those glimpses aren’t enough to vault him into the top two. Meaning these two backs with a bright future will be limited to change of pace duty or injury replacements. It is even possible that the plan is to redshirt Wilcox this year since they could not last year.

That may not sit well with two talented young backs who’ve both flashed SEC-caliber ability. In an era where the transfer portal looms large, their role—or lack thereof—will be one to monitor as the season progresses.

Hamdan’s belief in the revamped offensive line could give all four backs a shot to shine. But in reality, McGowan and Dowdell are getting the first dance. And maybe the only one if they prove to be good.

Will that hold through the season? Or will one of Kentucky’s other talents rise up and force the staff’s hand?

Either way, the Wildcats have options in the backfield—and that’s a welcome change.