It’s easy to forget that when a player enters the transfer portal, it doesn’t always mean they’re leaving.
That was the case with two of North Carolina’s top FCS running backs from 2024. Both Davidson’s Mari Adams and Western Carolina’s Branson Adams — no relation — tested the portal after the season. But in the end, both chose to stay at their respective schools. Their decisions to stay put give North Carolina FCS football a strong group of experienced backs ready to churn up yardage again in 2025.
Here’s a look at the top seven returning FCS rushers from across the state. Get ready to watch some teams move the chains this fall.
North Carolina FCS Football | Top Returning Rushers
1,231 yards – Mari Adams | Davidson | Sr.
The Shelby native and former Crest High star proved the perfect fit in former coach Scott Abell’s shotgun triple-option system. It’s understandable he would want to explore options after Abell departed for the Rice job.
Adams’ return gives Davidson one of the top backs in all of FCS. At 5-11, 210 pounds, he’s a load to bring down.
Lindy’s Sports has named Adams to its 2025 preseason All-FCS team. FCS Football Central called Adams “no doubt the most underrated running back at the FCS level” and “one of the best offensive players in the country.”
He’ll be running in a new system under head coach Saj Thakkar, but another 1,000-yard season seems well within reach for a player with 2,368 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns over 29 career games.
923 yards – Mason Sheron | Davidson | Sr.
He may not grab all the headlines, but Sheron’s production would make him a featured back at most FCS programs. The 6-0, 220-pound senior from Leo, Ind., has rushed for 1,872 yards and 23 touchdowns over the past two seasons — including 13 scores in 2023 — while averaging better than six yards per carry each year.
His career average sits at 6.5 yards per attempt, highlighted by a 94-yard touchdown rumble in 2023.
Sheron has been the perfect pairing in Davidson’s two-headed rushing attack alongside Mari Adams, giving the Wildcats rare backfield balance and durability. With Thakkar taking over, it’s unclear how the offense will shift — but with two 2,000-yard backs returning, it would be wise to keep feeding the monsters.
749 yards – Branson Adams | Western Carolina | Sr.
The Greensboro native and Dudley High alum seemed ready to move on after the 2024 season. In December, he entered the portal and posted what sounded like a farewell on social media:
“Thank you Western Carolina for everything ❤️ … I am officially in the portal as a grad transfer.”
But a few months later, Adams was still in Cullowhee — and his return gives the Catamounts a proven, all-purpose playmaker in the backfield.
Everyone knows Western Carolina wants to air it out — but Adams has been the perfect complement. He brings balance to the offense with his physical running style and adds a dangerous wrinkle in the passing game.
He started all 12 games last season, rushing for 539 yards, and has now logged 1,332 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns across 37 career games. Where he truly separates himself is as a pass-catching threat: 77 career receptions, 5 TD catches, and more than 500 receiving yards.
If he stays healthy, Adams could quietly put together one of the most productive all-around seasons in North Carolina FCS football this fall.
🙏🏽🙏🏽 https://t.co/eDDauvQxmh — Branson Adams (@branson_adams) June 10, 2025
588 yards – TJ Thomas | Elon | Soph.
Despite missing several games due to injury, the former Thomasville (Ga.) High standout still finished second on the team in rushing. He averaged 73.5 yards per game, 6.6 yards per carry and scored five touchdowns.
His breakout came in a Week 2 blowout of NC Central — 11 carries, 163 yards and a 74-yard score. That effort earned him Stats Perform National Freshman of the Week and CAA Rookie of the Week honors.
Thomas went on to be named a Phil Steele Freshman All-American and landed on the Jerry Rice Award watch list for top FCS freshmen. He could be RB1 for the Phoenix this fall.
505 yards – Mike Chandler II | Campbell | Grad.
The Texas native and transfer from Lamar also appears on our list of top returning passers in the FCS. The dual-threat quarterback made plenty of noise with his legs, too. He finished with 505 yards over 12 games a year ago, per Campbell’s team stat sheet. He scored three rushing touchdowns.
Chandler galloped for 121 yards and a touchdown in a game against Richmond last November. He also had 89 rushing yards against NC Central.
431 yards – Shimique Blizzard | North Carolina A&T | Jr.
One of the bright spots in the Aggies’ one-win campaign a year ago, Blizzard rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown against William & Mary and picked up 97 with a score against Elon in November showcases.
Blizzard finished with 1,884 yards and 22 TDs as a senior in high school at Western Branch in Chesapeake, Va.
406 yards – Mark Biggins | Campbell | Grad.
Biggins played at Cal Poly from 2019-23 before joining the Camels last season. He missed about a month of the ’24 campaign after getting off to a strong start (81 yards against both Liberty and Western Carolina). He finished with steady production in November, picking up 56.7 yards per game over the last three outings.
2024 Rewind | Top FCS Rushers in North Carolina
Seven of the state’s top 10 FCS rushers in 2024 will be back at their respective schools in 2025.
- 1,231 yards – Mari Adams (Davidson)
- 1,146 yards – J’Mari Taylor (North Carolina Central → Virginia)
- 923 yards – Mason Sheron (Davidson)
- 859 yards – Rushawn Baker (Elon → NFL undrafted free agent signee)
- 749 yards – Branson Adams (Western Carolina)
- 702 yards – Edward Saydee (Gardner-Webb → exhausted eligibility)
- 588 yards – TJ Thomas Jr. (Elon)
- 505 yards – Mike Chandler II (Campbell)
- 432 yards – Shimique Blizzard (North Carolina A&T)
- 406 yards – Mark Biggins (Campbell)
