Story by
Columbia Daily Tribune
Second freshman Missouri football RB intends to enter transfer portal
- Story byColumbia Daily Tribune
- Second freshman Missouri football RB intends to enter transfer portal
Both of the running backs Missouri football signed in the Class of 2025 have now signaled an intention to enter the transfer portal when it opens next month.
On Wednesday afternoon, Mizzou true freshman tailback Marquise Davis reposted a report from On3/Rivals reporter Hayes Fawcett on social media that he intends to enter the portal. He is the third Mizzou player to indicate they will leave the program this offseason.
Davis joins fellow rookie running back Brendon Haygood and redshirt freshman James Madison II as the players now expected to play at new schools in the 2026 season.
Advertisement
The dates for the college football transfer portal changed this offseason. The portal will now officially open for entries on Jan. 2 and close on Jan. 16. That is a shorter winter window than in previous years, and the NCAA has also eliminated the spring portal period.
Players like Davis can announce their intention to enter the portal before those dates. Still, their paperwork will not be processed until the portal is officially open, and they likely won't be able to commit to a new team until then.
Davis played sparingly in a stacked running back room, preserving a redshirt as he appeared in just three games.
The former four-star prospect out of Cleveland had 34 total carries across games against Central Arkansas, Louisiana and UMass. He tallied 200 rushing yards and two touchdowns in those nonconference spot appearances.
Sep 6, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Marquise Davis (7) greets fans after warmups prior to a game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Davis' path to immediate reps was obscured. Mizzou can return Ahmad Hardy, who leads the SEC in rushing as a sophomore and is a Doak Walker Award finalist, and Jamal Roberts , who was a tremendous change-of-pace option for the Tigers this year, in 2026.
Advertisement
The rookie running back was the No. 162-ranked player in the Class of 2025. He was the No. 11-rated running back in the recruiting service 247Sports' composite rankings.
More: 5 Missouri football players who will benefit most from Gator Bowl practices
More: Missouri football grades of offensive line, predictions for 2026
Davis likely would have remained the third option behind Hardy and Roberts had he stayed in Columbia.
Mizzou can return longtime backup Tavorus Jones, and the Tigers signed three-star Chicago native Maxwell Warner in their Class of 2026. With four total tailbacks on the roster, Missouri may opt to chase a depth piece at the position in the transfer portal.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri football freshman running back will enter transfer portal
