And then there were four.

The Kansas University football team’s running-back corps, already facing the recent loss of two young backs, was dealt another blow Monday when it was revealed tailback Donte Bean would be leaving the program.

Just a day after sophomore Carmon Boyd-Anderson decided to leave school citing personal reasons, Bean, a 5-foot-10, 190-pound sophomore out of North Garland (Texas) High, confirmed he will pursue a transfer as well.

“It was going to be tough with six running backs,” Bean said. “I just thought there would be more opportunity (elsewhere).”

Bean, whose brother, Brandon Walker, is a senior running back at Washburn University in Topeka, played a limited role as a red-shirt freshman last season, rushing seven times for just 20 yards in four games. Bean said he hoped to join his brother at Washburn.

The exodus leaves the Jayhawks with only four of their seven projected running backs/tailbacks entering the season.

While the Jayhawks seemed to receive a considerable boost at the running-back position by snagging 2007 national junior college offensive player of the year Jocques Crawford in February, they since have lost three other running backs: Bean, Boyd-Anderson and freshman Sean Ransburg, who wasn’t cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse and will miss at least the 2008 season.

In addition to Crawford, juniors Jake Sharp and Angus Quigley remain, while red-shirt freshman Rell Lewis, who switched from receiver to running back this season, is the only other player currently listed at running back.