Former Kentucky RB Chip Trayanum is Moving to the MAC

Chip Trayanum has been through plenty of ups and downs throughout his lengthy college career. Now the former Kentucky running back is ready to make one final stop not too far from his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

On3’s Pete Nakos reports Trayanum will spend his final year of college eligibility in the MAC, suiting up for the Toledo Rockets. It’s his fourth school in six years.

Trayanum had a ton of potential as a Blue Chip recruit. After all, that’s how he got the nickname “Chip.” Some schools wanted him to play linebacker, but he had his mind set on playing offense. That’s why he left the Midwest to play for Arizona State. After tallying 691 yards and 10 touchdowns over two seasons, he decided it was time to try out playing defense.

He returned to Ohio to play linebacker for Ohio State. When injuries hit the Buckeyes’ running back room, he moved back to offense. He performed well vs. Michigan, finding a new permanent home in Columbus. Trayanum’s best moment happened in the final moments against Notre Dame, punching in the game-winning touchdown as time expired.

Looking for a larger role as a bell-cow back, Trayanum transferred to Kentucky. He was poised to be RB1 until he suffered a broken hand during fall camp. Complications forced him to miss an extensive amount of time. He appeared in only three games and carried the ball 19 times for 101 yards.

Chip will finish his career by playing for the most consistent program in MAC. Jason Candle has led Toledo to four straight winning seasons, including an 11-win campaign in 2023. Hopefully, Trayanum can finally find the consistency that’s eluded him throughout his college career, just not in week one. The Rockets are traveling to Kroger Field to open the season.

There have been 21 transfer portal departures this offseason. There is still time for that number to grow. The transfer portal officially closes on Dec. 28.

• DL Keeshawn Silver (Committed to USC on Dec. 19)
• DB Avery Stuart
• LB Jayvant Brown
• TE Tanner Lemaster (Committed to Eastern Michigan on Dec. 22)
• TE Khamari Anderson (Committed to Arizona State on Dec. 22)
• TE Jordan Dingle (Committed to South Carolina on Dec. 18)
• OL Courtland Ford (Committed to UCLA on Dec. 17)
• OL Ben Christman
• OL Dylan Ray (Committed to Minnesota on Dec. 21)
• OL Koby Keenum (Committed to Mississippi State on Dec. 22)
• DL Tommy Ziesmer (Committed to EKU on Dec. 15)
• WR Dane Key
• WR Barion Brown (Committed to LSU on Dec. 14)
• WR Anthony Brown-Stephens
• WR Brandon White
• EDGE Tyreese Fearbry (Committed to Wisconsin on Dec. 22)
• EDGE Noah Matthews
• EDGE Caleb Redd (Committed to Kansas on Dec. 20)
• RB Chip Trayanum (Committed to Toledo on Dec. 24)
• QB Gavin Wimsatt

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. Keep closer tabs on the Cats with our staff-only sticky thread on KSBoard, which will have updates on departures and targets throughout the offseason. Not a KSR+ member? Try it out today.