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Data updatedOct 31, 2026
RB, Kentucky

Jovantae Barnes stats, 2026

Kentucky (7–1, SEC). Running back. 2026 season, games through Oct 24, 2026.

Jovantae Barnes is a running back for Kentucky (7–1). Among running backs this season he's 144th in yards per carry (5.2), 236th in carries (42), 237th in rushing yards (217), in 6 games.

Rushing yards217237th of 427 running backs
Carries42236th of 428 running backs
Yards per carry5.2144th of 372 running backs
Rushing TDs1300th of 351 running backs

Bio

Who is Jovantae Barnes?

Position
Running back
Class
Senior
Height
6-0
Weight
214 pounds
Number
No. 2
Hometown
Las Vegas, NV
High school
Desert Pines (Las Vegas, NV)
Recruiting
4-star, No. 115 in the 2022 class, signed with Oklahoma
Transfers
Oklahoma to Kentucky (2026)

From the 2026 roster, the 247Sports recruiting composite and the transfer portal, all via CollegeFootballData.com.

The season

Jovantae Barnes's rushing stats

He's 144th of 372 running backs in yards per carry (5.2) and 236th of 428 running backs in carries (42).

StatSeasonNational rank
Rushing yards217237th of 427
Carries42236th of 428
Yards per carry5.2144th of 372
Rushing TDs1300th of 351

The season

Jovantae Barnes's rushing efficiency and big plays

He's 249th of 357 running backs in EPA per play (0.04) and 300th of 366 running backs in rushing success rate (35.3%).

StatSeasonNational rank
Rushing success rate35.3%300th of 366
Explosive runs (12+ yards)2316th of 393
EPA per play0.04249th of 357

The season

Jovantae Barnes's receiving stats

He's 331st of 395 running backs in catches (2) and 357th of 392 running backs in receiving yards (9).

StatSeasonNational rank
Catches2331st of 395
Receiving yards9357th of 392

Ranks are among every FBS running back with the stat this season. Rates need a minimum sample (50 dropbacks for passing rates, 20 carries, 8 catches). From the play-by-play.

Career

Jovantae Barnes's career stats

SeasonTeamCarriesRush ydsYds/carryRush TDCatchesRec ydsRec TD
2022Oklahoma1165194.555260
2023Oklahoma371403.815230
2024Oklahoma1225774.75171231
2025Oklahoma19452.411160
2026Kentucky422175.21290
Career3361,4984.513301971

Past seasons (back to 2022) from CollegeFootballData.com; 2026 from the play-by-play, games through Oct 24, 2026.

By school

How did Jovantae Barnes do at Oklahoma and Kentucky?

Oklahoma (2022–2025) is where he's been best: his best on 3 of the 4 rates below. That's +0.11 EPA per play (+0.05 at Kentucky), a rushing success rate of 41.7% (35.3%) and 12+ yard runs on 9.8% of his carries (5.9%). His weakest stretch was Kentucky this season: +0.05 EPA per play and a rushing success rate of 35.3%. His biggest season for rushing yards was 2024 at Oklahoma, with 577. The Kentucky numbers are 2026 so far, through Oct 24, 2026. The rates compare fairly with his other seasons; the totals are still growing.

Rushing yards by season
2022, Oklahoma: 51951920222023, Oklahoma: 14014020232024, Oklahoma: 57757720242025, Oklahoma: 454520252026, Kentucky: 2172172026*
EPA per play
Oklahoma, 2022–2025: +0.11+0.112022–2025Kentucky, 2026: +0.05+0.052026*
Rushing success rate
Oklahoma, 2022–2025: 41.7%41.7%2022–2025Kentucky, 2026: 35.3%35.3%2026*
Yards per carry
Oklahoma, 2022–2025: 4.44.42022–2025Kentucky, 2026: 5.25.22026*
SchoolSeasonsCarriesRush ydsYds/carryRush TDCatchesRec ydsRec TDRush successExplosive runsExplosive catches
Oklahoma2022–20252941,2814.41228188141.7%9.8%15.4%
Kentucky2026 (so far)422175.2129035.3%5.9%—

* 2026 so far, through Oct 24, 2026.

Totals for his seasons at each school; rates worked out from those totals. Success and explosive rates count every play; EPA per play leaves out garbage time. Rates need the same minimum sample as the season stats.

Advanced

Jovantae Barnes's advanced stats by season

SeasonTeamEPA/playPass EPA/playRush EPA/playRush successExplosive runsExplosive catchesTotal EPAUsage
2022Oklahoma+0.07+0.13+0.0740.2%9.8%—5.213%
2023Oklahoma+0.01-0.08+0.0247.1%11.8%—0.215%
2024Oklahoma+0.16+0.34+0.1440.3%10.9%20.0%19.524%
2025Oklahoma+0.05+0.43-0.00———1.29%
2026Kentucky+0.05+0.01+0.0535.3%5.9%—2.010%

EPA per play is the expected points a player adds on each of his plays (0 is average; glossary). Success means the play stayed on schedule: half the yards to go on first down, 70% on second, all of them on third or fourth. Explosive means a run of 12+ yards or a completion of 16+, as a share of his throws, carries or catches. Usage is the share of his team's plays that went to him. EPA and usage leave out garbage time; success and explosive rates count every play. From CollegeFootballData.com and cfbfastR.

Game log

Jovantae Barnes's game log, 2026

WeekOpponentResultRushing yardsCarriesRushing TDsExplosive runs (12+ yards)Catches
2vs. AlabamaL 17–45-23001
4vs. South AlabamaW 45–211008100
5at South CarolinaW 35–34289010
6vs. LSUW 35–34143001
7at OklahomaW 21–13165000
8vs. VanderbiltW 34–176114010

FAQ

Questions about Jovantae Barnes

What position does Jovantae Barnes play?

Jovantae Barnes plays running back for Kentucky, which is 7–1 this season.

Where has Jovantae Barnes played?

Oklahoma (2022–2025) and Kentucky (2026).

Where is Jovantae Barnes from, and what year is he?

Jovantae Barnes is a senior running back for Kentucky, listed at 6-0 and 214 pounds, from Las Vegas, NV.

How tall is Jovantae Barnes, and how much does he weigh?

Jovantae Barnes is listed at 6-0 and 214 pounds on Kentucky's 2026 roster.

What year is Jovantae Barnes?

Jovantae Barnes is a senior, from the 2022 recruiting class.

What are Jovantae Barnes's career stats?

Over 5 seasons (2022–2026), Jovantae Barnes has 1,498 rushing yards on 336 carries with 13 rushing touchdowns, plus 30 catches for 197 yards.

Who does Jovantae Barnes play for?

Kentucky (7–1, SEC), where he plays running back and wears No. 2.

Is Jovantae Barnes eligible for the NFL Draft?

Yes. Players can enter the NFL Draft three years after high school, and Jovantae Barnes was in the 2022 class, so he's eligible for the 2027 draft.

How did Jovantae Barnes play in his last game?

Week 8 vs. Vanderbilt: 61 rushing yards, 14 carries, 1 explosive runs (12+ yards). Kentucky won 34–17.

Where did Jovantae Barnes go to high school?

Desert Pines (Las Vegas, NV). He was a 4-star recruit, No. 115 in the 2022 class, signed with Oklahoma.

Is Jovantae Barnes a transfer?

Yes. He transferred from Oklahoma to Kentucky (2026).

What are Jovantae Barnes's stats this season?

217 rushing yards, 42 carries, 5.2 yards per carry, 1 rushing TDs, 35.3% rushing success rate in 6 games, through Oct 24, 2026.

How does Jovantae Barnes rank nationally?

Among FBS running backs: 144th of 372 in yards per carry, 236th of 428 in carries, 237th of 427 in rushing yards.

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