The true offseason of college football has begun, the transfer portal is closed and spring practice has been wrapped up. We are going to look position by position and what to expect on the depth chart for the Kentucky Wildcats. Let's take a look at the running back room, which is loaded with talent and high upside.

CJ Baxter is expected to be the starter at running back and he has a ton of talent. Coming out of high school, Baxter was a five star prospect and the number one overall running back in the rankings. He hit the ground running as a true freshman at Texas, he had 659 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 138 carries. He also had 156 receiving yards on 24 catches.

Baxter missed all of 2024 season due to injury and got banged up again in 2025, so the injury history is definitely worrisome. However, if he can stay healthy and return to that form, this will be one of the bigger portal additions for head coach Will Stein. Baxter is a physical runner with great vision and contact balance, he also has the ability to make plays out of the backfield in the passing game. He also has good burst and speed for his 6'1, 230-pound frame.

Coach Stein definitely likes to use a running back by committee approach to the running back room. Last season at Oregon, the Ducks had two players with over 100 carries on the season in Noah Whittington and Jordon Davison. Even the third string running back Dierre Hill Jr. had 75 carries and 656 yards. I believe you will see three running backs behind Baxter that will be in the rotation this season.

Jovantae Barnes is another guy that has dealt with injuries over the course of his career. Similar to Baxter, Barnes has been a productive player when healthy. As a true freshman in 2022, Barnes had 519 yards and five touchdowns on 116 carries. In 2024, he had 577 yards and five touchdowns on 122 carries.

Oddly enough, I feel like Barnes and Baxter have similar skillsets. Barnes might have a touch better burst, but both are physical runners with the football. Barnes has a big frame as well at 6'0, 214-pounds. If they both can stay healthy, this is likely the one-two punch for Kentucky.

Jason Patterson is someone who offers a bit of a different skillset to this running back room. Patterson has real deal explosiveness and breakaway speed when he gets in space. He hasn't really got a true chance to showcase his ability in his first few seasons at Kentucky. He has only had 336 yards on 77 carries over two season, but improved run blocking on the offensive line could increase his production.

Then we get to Martels Carter, the former safety that made the switch to the offensive side of the ball. Coach Stein has been impressed with Carter at running back this spring, saying he is a natural runner of the football. We got a glimpse of that ability in the spring game. Carter could definitely be in the mix of this running back rotation, as it seems he will stay in this role instead of moving back to safety.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky football: Previewing the 2026 running back position