Missouri’s offseason took another unexpected turn on Wednesday as true freshman running back Marquise Davis, one of the Tigers’ prized four-star additions from the 2025 recruiting class, announced his plans to enter the transfer portal. The decision marks the second time in just a matter of weeks that Mizzou has watched a blue-chip freshman running back depart, raising significant concerns about the team’s long-term depth at the position.
The news was first reported by recruiting insider Hayes Fawcett, who revealed that Davis informed On3 Sports of his intent to explore other opportunities. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound back will enter the portal with four full years of eligibility remaining, making him one of the most attractive young running backs on the transfer market this cycle.
Davis arrived at Missouri as a coveted talent, ranked the No. 162 overall prospect nationally and the No. 11 running back in the 2025 class. Initially committed to Kentucky, he flipped to Eli Drinkwitz’s program late in the cycle, giving the Tigers a major recruiting win at the time. But just one season into his college career, that momentum has taken a sharp turn.
Backfield Attrition Accelerates
Davis’ departure follows the earlier transfer of fellow four-star freshman Brenden Haygood, meaning Missouri has now lost both running backs it signed in the 2025 class. The sudden double exit has created an unanticipated gap in the Tigers’ future backfield depth and forces the staff to reassess its roster strategy much sooner than expected.
While the losses are notable, the reasoning isn’t surprising. Missouri currently boasts one of the top young running backs in the country in Ahmad Hardy, who exploded onto the national scene with his physical running style and home-run ability. Hardy’s dominance effectively shut the door on upward mobility for younger backs this season, and with Jamal Roberts firmly locked in as the No. 2 option, Davis had limited opportunities to carve out a consistent role in 2026.
Davis concluded the 2025 season with 34 carries for 200 yards and two touchdowns, flashing promise but never earning a significant share of the workload.
Portal Shopping Could Be Next for Missouri
Now left without its two most recent blue-chip recruits at the position, Missouri may be forced to look toward the transfer portal themselves. Drinkwitz and his staff already had an eye toward adding depth behind Hardy and Roberts, but the departures of both Davis and Haygood elevate that need into one of the program’s most pressing offseason priorities.
The Tigers currently have just one running back committed for the 2026 class—three-star prospect Maxwell Warner—leaving the roster vulnerable if injuries strike. Because of that, Mizzou is expected to be active in the portal, targeting players who can help solidify third-string roles or provide rotational insurance.
A Growing List of Departures
Davis becomes the fourth Missouri player to enter the transfer portal in this window, joining Haygood, defensive back Caleb Flagg, and wide receiver James Madison II. While the total number remains manageable, the positions impacted—particularly running back—carry significant weight.
The coming weeks will be critical for Drinkwitz’s staff as they work to stabilize the roster and prepare for a 2026 season where expectations remain high, thanks largely to the presence of Hardy and a core of returning talent.
Missouri’s path forward is still strong, but Wednesday’s news serves as a reminder: roster stability in the NIL and transfer portal era is never guaranteed, even for highly touted recruits.
