UCLA transfer RB TJ Harden signs with SMU

UCLA transfer running back TJ Harden has signed with SMU, On3’s Pete Nakos has leaned. He led the Bruins in rushing this past season.

Harden spent three years in Westwood, putting up his best numbers in 2023. He totaled 827 yards and eight touchdowns that year while splitting time in the backfield with Carson Steele. After taking over as lead running back in 2024, Harden led UCLA with 506 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Harden, a Los Angeles native, played high school football at Inglewood (Calif.) Inglewood, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 1,288 overall player from the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

TJ Harden is the 16th player to commit to SMU this transfer cycle, joining a Mustangs group that ranks No. 16 in the On3 Team Transfer Portal Index. Former Arkansas offensive lineman Addison Nichols is the highest-rated of the group, checking in as the No. 128 overall player and No. 12-ranked interior offensive lineman this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings.

Former Miami and Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is also on his way to SMU. He suffered a season-ending injury with UW last season, but will now get ready to suit up for Rhett Lashlee and the Mustangs in 2025.

Van Dyke began his career at Miami in 2020, spending four years with the program. He transferred to Wisconsin ahead of the 2024 season. However, he only played in three games this year due to suffering a season-ending injury against Alabama. His career-best season came in 2021, his second with the Hurricanes.

Van Dyke threw for 422 yards, one touchdown, zero interceptions and a 63.2% completion percentage this season. Over the course of his career, Van Dyke has 7,891 yards, 55 touchdowns, 23 interceptions and a 63.7% completion percentage.

SMU put together an impressive debut season in the ACC a season ago, finishing 11-3 overall and making the conference championship game. The Mustangs fell to Clemson on a last-second field goal, but still made the College Football Playoff, where they fell to Penn State in the first round.