Auburn running back JaTarvious Whitlow enters transfer portal
AUBURN, Ala. — JaTarvious Whitlow is the first player to lead Auburn in rushing in consecutive seasons since 2013, but he won't make it three in a row.
The rising junior running back has entered the transfer portal, according to multiple reports, first from Matt Zenitz of AL.com.
It appears to be the end to what was a great underdog story for Whitlow at Auburn. He was a two-way standout at nearby LaFayette High, totaling 2,292 passing yards, 2,147 rushing yards and 59 touchdowns playing quarterback as a senior. He was all set to attend Tulane leading up to signing day three years ago after he didn't receive significant Power Five interest
A last-minute call from Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele changed his plans. Then-first-year offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey wanted the three-star athlete ranked 527th nationally as a wide receiver. Whitlow switched to running back during his first fall on campus, and while he didn't play at all that season after suffering an injury, quickly vaulted to the top of the depth chart in 2018.
A physical, 10-yard touchdown run in a season-opening win over Washington in Atlanta marked his arrival. Whitlow finished his debut campaign with 787 yards and six touchdowns on 150 carries.
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As a sophomore this past season, he carried 156 times for 763 yards and 10 touchdowns despite missing the better part of three games due to a knee injury suffered at Florida.
Injuries (he missed multiple games due to ankle, shoulder and knee ailments), fumbles (he lost 5 of 8 over two seasons) and an offensive line that struggled to run block held him back at times, but through it all, the coaching staff clearly trusted him.
If there is a silver lining to be found in this situation, it's that the Tigers do have depth at running back beyond Whitlow and departed senior Kam Martin, who finished third on the team in rushing last season.
D.J. Williams, who filled in ably or Whitlow last season when he missed time after undergoing knee surgery, will be back after carrying 84 times for 400 yards and two touchdowns in nine games as a four-star true freshman.
Auburn will also add Mark-Antony Richards, a four-star athlete who missed the entire 2019 season after undergoing knee injury; and Tank Bigsby, a five-star true freshman, to the mix. Richards is expected to be healthy for the start of spring practice and Bigsby is enrolled early, so both will get plenty of chances to showcase their ability before the start of the 2020 season.
The only thing those six players don't have is Whitlow's experience — he finishes his time at Auburn 1,550 rushing yards on 306 carries. No one else on the roster has more than 600 career rushing yards.