Former Iowa RB Transfer Portal Move Sends Terrell Washington Jr. to New Mexico State
Change was inevitable in Iowa City, and now it’s official. The Former Iowa RB transfer portal storyline took another turn as Terrell Washington Jr. announced his next destination, closing one chapter of his college career while opening another with a fresh opportunity. In a crowded running back room filled with proven production and rising talent, Washington Jr.’s move reflects both the reality of roster competition and the promise of a new beginning.
Iowa’s rushing attack played a major role in the Hawkeyes’ success during the 2025 season. Running behind a Joe Moore Award–winning offensive line and benefiting from the dual-threat ability of quarterback Mark Gronowski, the ground game consistently kept defenses on their heels.
How the Former Iowa RB Transfer Portal Decision Took Shape
The Former Iowa RB transfer portal situation didn’t come out of nowhere. Iowa entered the 2025 season with unusual depth at running back, and that depth only grew as the year unfolded. Kamari Moulton emerged as the team’s leading rusher with 878 yards, even while missing multiple games due to injury. Freshman Xavier Williams added a spark of explosiveness, finishing with 285 yards while averaging an impressive 5.8 yards per carry. Even true freshman Nathan McNeil flashed potential, hinting at a bright future in the backfield.
With so many capable options, someone was always going to be squeezed out. That player turned out to be Washington Jr., a sophomore who had recently transitioned from wide receiver to running back. When the position switch was announced, many believed he could become an intriguing weapon in offensive coordinator Tim Lester’s system. The speed and versatility were there on paper, but consistent opportunities never followed.
Washington Jr. found himself on the sideline more often than not, struggling to carve out a defined role in a room loaded with established contributors. By season’s end, the writing was on the wall. Shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, he entered his name into the transfer portal, looking for a program where touches would be easier to come by.
On Tuesday, that search officially ended. Washington Jr. announced he’ll be heading to New Mexico State for the 2026 season, a move that gives him a realistic chance to reset his career and step into a much larger role.
During his three seasons at Iowa, Washington Jr.’s opportunities were limited. He finished with 182 rushing yards on 3.7 yards per carry, added 10 receptions for 51 yards, and scored one touchdown. While the numbers don’t jump off the page, they also don’t tell the full story of a player buried on a depth chart stacked with talent.
New Mexico State offers a completely different situation. The Aggies’ running game struggled mightily in 2025, managing just 927 total rushing yards as a team and averaging a concerning 2.6 yards per attempt. To make matters more pressing, leading rusher Kadarius Calloway is graduating, leaving a massive production void.
That need made Washington Jr. an appealing portal target. For him, it’s a chance to become a featured back, prove his value, and show what he can do with consistent carries.
Meanwhile, Iowa hasn’t stood still. Even with Moulton, Williams, and McNeil all set to return in 2026, the Hawkeyes moved quickly to reinforce the position. Iowa landed South Dakota transfer LJ Phillips Jr., who led the FCS in rushing last season with 1,920 yards and 19 touchdowns. With multiple years of eligibility remaining, Phillips adds immediate firepower and long-term stability.
So while Washington Jr. and Jaz Patterson have moved on, Iowa’s running game appears poised to remain elite. For Washington Jr., the transfer represents something just as valuable an opportunity to finally be the guy.
