The early hours of the Transfer Portal on Friday brought some unwelcomed news for USF when On3 reported that running back Nykahi Davenport has entered the escape hatch. He was the Bulls' top returning back after Cartevious Norton was lost for the season in Week 5.
Davenport finished with 612 yards on 98 carries. He had seven touchdowns.
BREAKING: USF RB Nykahi Davenport is entering the @TransferPortal, he tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 2, 2026
This season he totaled 98 carries for 612 yards and 7 TDshttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/0eH66I8Opt
His possible departure -- entering the portal doesn't guarantee a player will leave -- would leave new USF coach Brian Hartline dangerously thin at running back. Davenport was the most experienced back left on the roster after Alvon Isaac declared for the portal.
Chase Garnett ran for more than 3,000 yards and 50 touchdowns at Liberty Christian (Texas) High School but carried on two times as a freshman at USF in 2025.
There was a bit of potential good news for the Bulls.
On3 predicted Ethan Green, a 6-7, 255-pound offensive lineman from Cincinnati, will join the Bulls as a redshirt junior.
Bulls fans concerned about USF's losses should know it could be worse. Auburn, where former Bulls coach Alex Golesh just went, has a reported 30 players in the portal. Included in the exodus is coveted 5-star receiver Cam Coleman and quarterbacks Deuce Knight and Jackson Arnold.
Knight was expected to be the Tigers' starting QB next season.
His expected departure heightened speculation that soon-to-be-former Bulls quarterback Byum Brown will reunite with Golesh and former USF assistants Joel Gordon and Kodi Burns.
The portal remains open until January 16.