Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams, UMass’ leading rusher in 2023, announced he is re-entering the transfer portal on Thursday. 

Lynch-Adams’ announcement comes in the first week of full spring practice for the Minutemen.

In 2023 as a redshirt junior, Lynch-Adams rushed for a UMass FBS record 1,157 yards and 12 TDs in his first year as UMass’ starting running back. It was his third season with the Minutemen after a transfer from Rutgers in 2021. He has one remaining season of eligibility.

Lynch-Adams initially declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 1, 2023, but 11 days later, he removed his name from the draft pool and entered the transfer portal. On Jan. 14, Lynch-Adams announced an agreement with The Midnight Ride Collective to return to UMass for his final season.

While he was in the portal over the winter, Lynch-Adams said he received interest from Ohio State, Florida State and Ole Miss.

The Minutemen have six additional running backs on the roster. Redshirt junior Greg Desrosiers Jr. was UMass’ second-leading rusher in 2023, totalling 313 yards and four touchdowns in addition to 185 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns and primary kickoff return duties.

Fellow redshirt junior and Arizona transfer Jalen John rushed for 31 yards on 10 attempts last season. The Minutemen do not return any other running backs who have appeared in game action.

At his first media session of the spring on Tuesday, UMass head coach Don Brown was asked about his feeling of players entering the transfer portal.

“I can’t worry about guys that went in [to the portal],” Brown said. “The portal giveth, and the portal taketh away … It’s happening all over the country, so you can’t worry about it, you just move on.”