The top Division II college football running back in North Carolina this season has indicated he plans to transfer.
LJ Turner, who rushed for 1,224 yards and 13 touchdowns for Catawba, posted on social media Tuesday that he is entering the transfer portal. Turner, who hails from Palm Bay, Fla. (Heritage HS), is a junior.
After Week 12 of the college football season, Turner ranks third overall in the Old North State in total rushing yardage and second in rushing touchdowns. He’s currently the sixth-best rusher in all of Division II, despite suiting up in only eight games this season.
Turner averaged 153 yards per game and 7 yards per carry for the Indians, who finished 3-8. He’s the only player in North Carolina to eclipse 300 yards in a single game this fall, going for 329 and five touchdowns on 35 carries in a 44-41 overtime win over Anderson in Week 6.
“I want to thank Catawba for giving me an opportunity to grow and develop as a player and a person. I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today without them. With that I have decided to enter the transfer portal,” Turner posted to his X account.
Another notable D2 name to enter the portal this week is DeAree Rogers, a standout wide receiver and return specialist at Lenoir-Rhyne the past two seasons. Rogers, from Lexington, SC (Irmo HS) earned All-America recognition as a returner in 2023. He is a redshirt sophomore.
This season, Rogers made 37 catches for 416 yards and four touchdowns. He returned 12 punts and four kickoffs, though none for touchdowns. He brought three punts back for scores in 2023.
Denoris Wardlow, also from Catawba, entered his name into the transfer portal. The redshirt junior defensive back from Winston-Salem (Parkland HS) was fourth in tackles for the Indians this season with 57. Wardlow earned South Atlantic Conference All-Piedmont honors a year ago after picking off five passes.
With the Division II football season coming to an end for most teams – only Wingate and Lenoir-Rhyne are still playing from our state – expect to see a number of portal announcements in the coming days. FCS football will conclude for most teams this weekend. There are two weeks left in the FBS regular season.
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