TRANSFER NEWS: UTEP Running Back Deion Hankins Enters Portal

One of the top Conference USA running backs will look for opportunities elsewhere

© GABY VELASQUEZ/ EL PASO TIMES / USA TODAY NETWORK

One of the top running backs in Conference USA has announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal. Following a season where UTEP Miners' running back Deion Hankins ran for 812 yards and five touchdowns, the graduate transfer will look towards a new opportunity.

Hankins, an El Paso native, has been with the program since 2019. He ended the 2023 season as the fourth leading rusher amongst the conference, even with the emergence of redshirt running back Torrance Burgess Jr.

Thank you El Paso! pic.twitter.com/6wNSR7JbrZ

— Deion hankins (@DeionHankins) November 30, 2023

After a disappointing season for the Miners, UTEP let go of head coach Dina Dimel.

When coming out of high school, the 6'0", 226-pound running back received interest from a few power five teams, including Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Utah. It is likely to see Hankins receive interest from Power Five teams along with a plethora of G5 teams who would be in need of a running back.

Deion Hankins beats the halftime buzzer for the first @UTEPFB touchdown of the season!

📺: @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/1ySAKg2OCf

— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) August 26, 2023

As for the Miners, they still have Torrance Burgess Jr. who came onto the scene following a 2022 season where he only played two games. He went on to play 11 games and ran for 620 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 2023. After sharing reps with Hankins, Burgess Jr. likely becomes the Miners' lead back.