The 2026 NFL Draft is not deep at running back, but Kentucky Wildcats running back Seth McGowan is hoping to hear his name called at some point. He is 6’1″ and weighs 215 lbs. During the 2025 college football season with Kentucky, he rushed for 725 yards on 165 carries and 12 touchdowns, along with averaging 4.4 yards per carry. He also caught 19 passes for 126 yards receiving and zero touchdowns, along with averaging 6.6 yards per reception.
USATSI 28364736 168422142 lowres
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky running back Seth McGowan (RB12) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Depending on who drafts him, maybe McGowan could be a fantasy football sleeper during his rookie season. Kentucky has had players drafted into the NFL. There are not a lot of running backs that are projected to go off the board this year.
PFF Lists Kentucky Wildcats RB Seth McGowan as a Fantasy Football Sleeper in 2026
USATSI 28363617 168422142 lowres
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky running back Seth McGowan (RB12) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Profootballfocus.com writer Nathan Jahnke wrote about potential rookie running back sleepers for fantasy in 2026 before the 2026 NFL Draft. He listed McGowan from Kentucky as one of the sleepers. Jahnke said,
“McGowan is a well-rounded running back with the potential to be an NFL starter. While several running backs in this class have unique sizes that might push them into a two-down or a third-down role, McGowan has the size of an every-down running back.
His raw protection was held back by Kentucky’s offense. His 1.6 yards before contact per carry was third-lowest of the top 20 running backs of the class, but his 0.26 avoided tackles per carry were tied for third-best behind Jeremiyah Love and Jonah Coleman.
While McGowan’s speed isn’t elite, his acceleration and change of direction are exceptional, according to tracking data.
Our draft guide notes some bad misses in pass protection and ball security issues. He also didn’t seem dynamic after the catch, which reflected in his receiving stats. Most of those should be fixable at the NFL level with the right coaching. Anyone drafting him will need to be patient, but he could have higher odds of becoming a three-down back than some of the running backs expected to go in the second round of dynasty rookie drafts.”
Only two running backs are projected to go in the first two rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. McGowan will most likely be drafted in the third round or later in 2026. He had up and down production during the 2025 college football season with Kentucky. The former Wildcats running back will need the right coaching in the NFL to succeed.
For More Great Football Content
Follow me on Twitter at @glennkaplan13 more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional football, click here!