The Washington Huskies have taken a hit to their running back depth just before the start of spring practice, as Christian Caple of On Montlake reported Wednesday morning that running back Will Nixon has left the program. It’s unclear if he plans to enter the transfer portal when the spring window opens or if he is stepping away from football altogether.
Nixon transferred to Washington from Nebraska prior to the 2022 season and had 33 carries for 201 yards and a touchdown in 2023, adding 13 receptions for 84 yards. The majority of those touches came in garbage time in games against Boise State, Tulsa, and California.
Nixon was likely going to be stuck on the depth chart heading into 2024. Although 2023’s leading rusher Dillon Johnson turned pro, Washington retained sophomore Tybo Rogers after a brief stint in the transfer portal. The Huskies also added Jonah Coleman, who ran for 871 yards last season with Arizona, and freshman Adam Mohammed, a one-time Wildcat commit.
Washington also returns Cameron Davis, who led the team in touchdowns in 2022, but missed the 2023 season with a knee injury. Davis, Coleman, and Rogers seem primed to take the bulk of the carries for the Huskies this season. Senior Daniyel Ngata and junior Sam Adams II will also compete for reps in a rather crowded position room, with Mohammed a likely redshirt candidate.
If Nixon does elect to enter the transfer portal, which is open April 15-30 for non-graduates, he has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Nixon, a fourth-year player in 2023, may also be able to enter the portal at any time as a grad transfer, pending the completion of his degree.