The 2024 NCAA Division 1 transfer portal has been open for months. As per the NCAA’s official website, dozens of athletes had already transferred schools by August. However, with the portal still open, things are not looking good for the Auburn Tigers. Arguably the best male track and field prospect in their program is set to leave the school by the time the window closes.

The 22-year-old sprinting phenom had a stellar 2024 NCAA season, putting Auburn among the top institutions in the 100m and 60m events. Favour Ashe clocked a 9.94-second 100m time at the 2024 NCAA Championships, finishing as the runner-up in the event. Losing such an athlete will undoubtedly be a big blow for Auburn. Yet that’s the unfortunate reality the school is staring at.

“Some BIG news coming out of Auburn as top sprinter Favour Ashe has entered the transfer portal,” reported World Athletics Hub on Instagram. The track and field star confirmed the news himself when he shared the news of him entering the portal on his Instagram stories, albeit from a different source. However, there’s much more to Favour Ashe than just 100m prowess.

Earlier this year, the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ dominated the Florida relays, becoming the first NCAA athlete to get a sub-10-second time in 2024. While he didn’t win the NCAA title, losing to Houston Cougars star Louie Hinchliffe, it was a close race. The Auburn star crossed the finish line just 0.04 seconds behind Hinchliffe, who finished in 9.95 seconds.

Then it was off to the Olympics, where the track and field star saw his stock rise further. The 2023 SEC Indoor Champion (60m) reached the semi-finals in Paris alongside NCAA rival Hinchliffe. However, the Nigerian and the British sprinter couldn’t beat eventual champion Noah Lyles and Jamaica’s Oblique Seville in 100m. After such a stellar season, finding another top NCAA school shouldn’t be an issue for the 22-year-old. However, Ashe’s career looked to be in jeopardy earlier this year.

From legal troubles to Olympic track and field

Favour Ashe started 2024 with dreams of making it to the 2024 Olympics. Unfortunately, the Auburn Police Department apprehended the sprinter on February 6, 2022. The police announced an individual reported a case of debit/credit card theft near West Magnolia Avenue in the city, and they arrested the athlete based on the report.

The authorities then investigated the matter, ultimately charging the sprinter with multiple counts of property theft and credit card fraud. “Ashe was transported to the Lee County Jail and held on a $9,000 bond,” per the police department’s official statement. Thankfully, the track and field phenom successfully left his legal woes behind, fulfilling his Olympic dreams.

Now the 2024 NCAA Championship runner-up will look to build on his success in the upcoming 2025 NCAA season while possibly sporting the colors of a different university. In fact, Favor Ashe may not have too much trouble finding a new school after his stellar national and international performances. Which university do you think the sprinter will join? Write your opinions in the comments.