Toledo transfer RB Peny Boone releases top three schools

Toledo running back Peny Boone has narrowed down his transfer portal recruitment to three schools, he tells On3.

The Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year announced his plan to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday night, formally entering college football’s free agency on Wednesday. A former Maryland transfer, the decision to leave Toledo comes after NCAA guidance released to schools last week allows fall multi-time transfers to play immediately in 2024-25 without securing a waiver.

The running back ranks seventh nationally with 1,400 total rushing yards and 7.2 yards per carry. His 15 rushing touchdowns are in the top 10, too. Boone tallied eight 100-plus yard games.

Now in the transfer portal, he tells On3 that he’s narrowed his recruitment down to Florida State, Kentucky and Louisville.

“These are three of the nation’s top football programs with a rich history of getting guys to the next level. All three schools have a need for a game-changer in the backfield,” he told On3. “I feel like schematically I am a great fit within each respective offensive system. The coaching staffs have been nothing but supportive and professional, and I look forward to calling one of these prestigious universities home.”

Evaluating Peny Boone’s transfer portal options

All three programs are on the market for a running back this offseason. Trey Benson opted out of the Orange Bowl, ending his Florida State career. Rodney Hill and CJ Campbell also moving on and redshirt junior Lawrance Toafili is undergoing surgery, nixing him from playing in the Orange Bowl.

Kentucky has already taken one tailback in the portal cycle, adding Ohio State’s Chip Traynum. But with Ray Davis prepping for the NFL draft, Bone would be another solid pickup for the backfield.

The Cardinals are in a similar situation as their Bluegrass State rivals. Louisville running back Jawhar Jordan is headed for the NFL draft, and the Cards have added a veteran tailback to their backfield in Miami transfer running back Don Chaney Jr. Bone and Chaney could provide a 1-2 punch for Louisville.