Depth numbers dwindle at RB for Missouri football as backup hits portal

Missouri football running back Tavorus Jones plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens Jan. 2-16, he announced via X on Wednesday, Dec. 31.

Jones has been a longtime backup in Columbia, signing for the Tigers in the Class of 2022 as a four-star prospect but finding his path to reps obscured by some of the best running backs in program history.

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He is the 17th Missouri player to announce his intention to enter the transfer portal this upcoming offseason, and the third running back. True freshmen tailbacks Brendon Haygood and Marquise Davis each also are expected to transfer.

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His decision is not too surprising. The Tigers can return consensus All-American Ahmad Hardy, who broke the program’s single-season rushing record this year, and backup Jamal Roberts.

Jones has watched the Tigers’ single-season rushing record get broken twice in his four seasons on campus. First, Cody Schrader broke the record in 2023. Now, Hardy has emerged as one of the best running backs in the sport.

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After four seasons in Columbia, Jones will have one remaining year of eligibility. He had six carries this season for 33 yards and one touchdown, which came against UMass. He returned six kickoffs for 96 yards this season.

Jones, who is from El Paso, Texas, will finish his Mizzou career with 26 carries for 113 yards and one touchdown. He was on the field for 61 snaps in his MU career.

The move does leave the Tigers extremely short on depth options at running back. Mizzou is adding Maxwell Warner, a three-star signing out of Chicago, in the Class of 2026.

As it stands, he is the automatic No. 3 on the depth chart, as he is the only other scholarship option.

Missouri does not need a starter at the position with Hardy and Roberts. But, it does need someone who can play in a pinch in case of injuries.

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That means it is likely that the Tigers will seek out a running back in the transfer portal, or perhaps a late high school commit before regular signing day in February.

The Tigers have had a lot of success finding running backs from lower rungs in the sport.

Hardy came to the Tigers from the Group of Five level at Louisiana-Monroe, and Schrader was a Division-II transfer from Truman State.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football running back Tavorus Jones to enter transfer portal