Former Texas RB Keaontay Ingram announces transfer to USC

On Tuesday, former Texas Longhorns running back Keaontay Ingram announced his transfer to the USC Trojans.

In 2021, Ingram will be a fourth-year player as he joins former Texas safety Xavion Alford at USC.

Rumors first surfaced about Ingram’s future in the program in early December and the continued rise of Bijan Robinson at the end of his freshman season likely contributed to the decision by Ingram. Ingram officially entered the transfer portal on Jan. 14.

A 6’0, 222-pounder, Ingram was the team’s fourth-leading rusher in 2020 with 53 carries for 250 yards and a rushing touchdown he scored against the Cowboys on his last carry of the season one play after suffering a high ankle sprain. Out of the backfield, Ingram had 11 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown, but he was slowed by a preseason hamstring injury and then the ankle injury that sidelined him for the final four games.

Prior to Ingram’s injury against Oklahoma State, he was benched in the Oklahoma game after he fumbled on his first carry, the second straight fumble after he’d reached the ball towards the goal line against TCU in an attempt to score the go-ahead touchdown with two and a half minutes remaining. Instead of scoring, Ingram lost control of the football, the Horned Frogs recovered, and the Longhorns lost by four points.

Ingram was a key signee for Texas in the 2018 class after a productive career at Carthage that included Offensive MVP of the Class 4A-I state championship game in 2017. A consensus four-star prospect, Ingram was ranked as the state’s top running back and the No. 164 player nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

As a freshman, Ingram shared carries with graduate transfer Tre Watson, amassing 708 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 142 carries. A knee injury suffered during preseason camp in 2019 slowed Ingram early in the season, as did a drop in the end zone on a fourth-down play early in the game against LSU, but he ultimately recovered to post his best season in burnt orange and white with 144 carries for 853 yards and seven touchdowns. His career-best performance came that season against Kansas State — 16 carries for 139 yards and two touchdowns.

Ingram’s younger brother, Kelvontay Dixon, is a wide receiver who just completed his true freshman season for the Horns.

Texas currently has one running back signed in the 2021 class, Halletsville’s Jonathan Brooks, who had an extraordinary senior season. Position coach Stan Drayton also remains in pursuit of Cy-Fair running back LJ Johnson, as well as Tennessee transfer Eric Gray.

At USC, Ingram will compete for a large role in Graham Harrell’s offense, but it’s not clear who the competition will be, as leading rushers Vavae Malepeai and Stephen Carr have not yet announced whether they will take advantage of the eligibility freeze to return next season. Third-leading rusher Markese Stepp, who just completed his sophomore season, recently entered the transfer portal.