Wingate football won nine games and made the D2 playoffs this season with the help of a 3,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher, a 1,000-yard receiver and the conference defensive freshman of the year.
Less than two weeks after losing a playoff heartbreaker to Benedict on the final play, all four players have put their names in the transfer portal, along with three of the Bulldogs’ top four tacklers and a three-year starter at punter.
Welcome to the new world of NCAA Division II football, where building a conference and playoff contender comes with the prospect of mass exodus days after the season’s final whistle.
The latest from Wingate to announce for the portal was quarterback Elijah Holmes, a redshirt sophomore from Charlotte (Olympic High), who posted his portal announcement on X on Tuesday (Dec. 2).
In his first season as the Bulldogs’ starter, Holmes threw for 3,040 yards (10th most in D2) and 24 touchdowns. He rushed for another 290 yards and three scores, while throwing just six interceptions.
Holmes threw two touchdown passes in Wingate’s playoff loss to Benedict on Nov. 22. He enjoyed three 300-yard passing games on the season, including a 350-yard, four-touchdown effort against rival Lenoir-Rhyne.
Unlike Division I players, who only have a two-week window in January to put their names into the portal, D2 players can enter the portal and transfer any time between now and next summer. Just because a player enters the portal doesn’t necessarily mean they will leave their school for the 2026 season but they often do.
Other top Wingate players that we’ve learned have announced publicly their intention to transfer:
- WR Jaylen Himes: SAC Offensive Freshman of the Year caught 66 passes for 1,185 yards and 11 TDs
- RB Xavier Pugh: First-team all-conference performer finished with 1,008 rushing yards and a Wingate-best 21 touchdowns
- DL Elihu Lispcomb: The SAC Defensive Freshman of the Year scored two defensive touchdowns and recorded 9.5 TFLs.
- DL Mandjou Berte: Ranked first in the conference in forced fumbles (3), third in tackles-for-loss (12.5) and fourth in sacks (5.0).
- LB Ryan Green: Led Wingate and finished fifth in the SAC with 82 tackles, including a 15-tackle game against Carson-Newman
- LB David Squires: 43 tackles and 3.0 TFLs across 12 games – fourth most stops on the team
- P Rivers Teeter: Averaged 40.2 yards per punt this season on 35 kicks.
To Wingate’s credit, the Bulldogs had to reload its roster at a number of key spots after winning the South Atlantic Conference in 2024, including replacing first-team All-American edge rusher (Marquise Fleming). Head coach Rashaan Jordan and staff retooled the ‘Dogs into a nine-win team, which made the post-season for the sixth time in eight years.
What’s Next for Wingate?
Wingate’s staff will now tap into the transfer portal themselves as they rebuild for 2026 and restock with 2026 high school prospects. The Bulldogs have been one of the SAC’s most consistent winners over the past decade, and the program has reloaded after major losses before.
Expect Wingate to be active in the portal over the next several weeks as they look to replace production at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and multiple spots on defense and the offensive line.
For a full list of NCAA Division II players from North Carolina schools who have entered the transfer portal, visit our updated D2 Transfer Portal Tracker.
