A powerfully built running back who produced one of the best vertical jumps by a back at the combine in nearly two decades, Seth McGowan capped a five-stop college journey at Kentucky.
Seth McGowan's path to the NFL wound through Oklahoma, Texas College, Butler Community College, New Mexico State and finally Kentucky, where he punished defenses as a 6-foot, 223-pound bruiser. The Indianapolis Colts selected him in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, intrigued by his combine explosiveness and physical running style.
Path to the league
McGowan began his college career at Oklahoma in 2020, rushing 58 times for 370 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman. He later played at Texas College and Butler Community College before resurfacing at New Mexico State in 2024, where he rushed for 823 yards and six touchdowns and earned Second Team All-Conference USA honors. He transferred to Kentucky for his final season and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round (No. 237 overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Career highlights
McGowan's defining moment of the pre-draft process came at the NFL Scouting Combine, where his 42.5-inch vertical jump ranked as the second-best mark by a running back at the combine since at least 2007. That explosiveness, paired with his physical running style, made him a name to know among Day 3 running back prospects.
2025 season recap
In his lone season at Kentucky in 2025, McGowan rushed for 725 yards and 12 touchdowns, serving as a featured back for the Wildcats. The production and his combine explosiveness combined to earn him a seventh-round selection from the Colts.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Seth McGowan
- Colts.com: Colts select Kentucky running back Seth McGowan in seventh round of 2026 NFL Draft
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Running Back
- Group
- offense
- College
- Kentucky
- Hometown
- Mesquite, TX, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
