Just months after enrolling at Virginia, true freshman running back Tre Harbison is transferring out of the program. The news was first reported by 247Sports.
A consensus 3-star running back in the 2016 recruiting class, Harbison committed to Mike London’s staff in April 2015. During his prep career at Crest High School in Shelby, North Carolina, he rushed for 5,770 yards and 100 touchdowns.
Despite UVa’s coaching change after the season, Harbison was one of four mid-year enrollees in the 2016 class. At 5-10 and 218 pounds, he projected as a power running back.
In the spring, Harbison was moved to fullback under the new staff. On Tuesday, he became the team’s second transfer in as many weeks, with redshirt freshman quarterback Nick Johns announcing his intentions to leave the program on May 4 after the coaching staff requested he change positions.
Had Harbison not been moved to fullback, he would have been part of a crowded running backs unit. Smoke Mizzell returns as the team’s starter, while Daniel Hamm, Albert Reid and Olamide Zaccheaus return as experienced backs. However, Mizzell and Reid graduate after the 2016 campaign, which could make opportunities available in the Cavalier backfield.
Harbison’s move to fullback likely took him out of the mix for any of those opportunities.
As a transfer, Harbison will have to sit out this fall. He’ll then have four years of eligibility remaining.