Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens is expected to enter the transfer portal when the window opens in January, per a report from Pete Nakos of On3Sports. The news comes just one day after WCU football (7-5) completed its 2025 season with a 48-6 win over VMI.
Dickens was one of the most electric players in the FCS this fall, finishing his redshirt sophomore season with 3,508 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and just two interceptions while leading WCU to a 7-2 record as a starter. His 38 TD passes set a new Southern Conference single-season record, underscoring just how explosive the Catamount offense became with him at the controls.
He also made national headlines in October when he set the NCAA record for consecutive completions, hitting his first 46 passes against Wofford — part of a stretch of 50 straight completions spanning multiple games.
Dickens’ decision comes one day after the FCS regular season wrapped up for teams not making the playoffs. The transfer portal will be open officially from Jan. 2-16, but early announcements and intentions can still shape the market. There will be just one window this year for college football, with no spring transfer period.
A power-packed two seasons as WCU starter
Dickens has been Western Carolina’s starter since midseason 2024. He’ll surely be in line for national awards and recognition after his amazing 2025 campaign.
His first start of this season came against Samford on Sept. 20. He threw for what would be a season-high 582 yards and six touchdowns. Dickens went for 551 yards and 7 TDs in a wild game against Mercer, won by the Bears 49-47 when a Western Carolina field goal attempt went wide on the final snap.
Dickens’ career stat line in 18 total games, dating back to a few brief appearances in 2023: 402-of-543 passing for 5,063 yards, 51 touchdowns, 5 interceptions. He’s averaged 281.3 yards per game, completing 74 percent of his throws.
