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Ex-Seahawks RB Is Entering The NCAA Transfer Portal In Ridiculous Twist That Has Football Fans Begging For Someone To “Save College Football”

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This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Seattle Seahawks helmet.
Seattle Seahawks helmet. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Former Seahawks running back TJ Harden plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal. On3’s Pete Nakos first reported the news. Harden spent last season at SMU as the team’s leading rusher.

He played all 13 games for the Mustangs. Harden recorded 171 carries for 787 yards and nine touchdowns. That production came after three seasons at UCLA, where he topped 1,600 rushing yards.

Harden went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft. He signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent. The Browns waived him on August 3. Seattle signed him three days later.

He appeared in the Seahawks’ preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys. Harden managed two carries for one yard. Seattle waived him on Monday. A Louisiana court ruling then changed everything for members of the 2022 recruiting class.

College Football Eligibility Rules Open New Door

TJ Harden during his SMU stint.
TJ Harden. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The court granted temporary relief that allows certain 2022 class players a fifth year. Harden will now seek a return to the college game. His agent Hector Ruiz confirmed the plan to multiple outlets. No major obstacles currently stand in the way.

Harden first arrived at UCLA as a three-star recruit out of Inglewood High. He posted a career-high 827 rushing yards in 2023. The move to SMU under Rhett Lashlee produced his strongest touchdown total. Now he becomes a high-impact option in the college football portal.

Griffin McVeigh of On3 expanded on the situation. He reported that after Louisiana ruled multiple members of the 2022 recruiting class eligible, he would be able to return to college football.

College Football Fans React to Portal Twist

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College Football logo (Image Credits: Imagn)

The timing sparked strong reactions across social media.

One user wrote, “What happened to the game i love.”

Another posted, “Former NFL player plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal… No.”

A third commented, “Somebody call the lawyers and tell them it’s time to save college football again.”

One more added, “tj harden went from the nfl to the college transfer portal. that’s like getting laid off and applying for your old summer job.”

Harden’s path from UCLA to SMU to brief NFL stops and back stands out. He already lived up to expectations once as a transfer portal addition. Programs seeking a ready contributor may view him as a difference-maker this fall, more so knowing he has experience going against the pros.

He now waits for the next offer that could define his final college season.

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