A former Jacksonville High defensive standout will make the jump from the CIAA to FBS. Noah Gibson, who played defensive back for Shaw the past two seasons, announced Monday on social media he has committed to Coastal Carolina for the 2025 season.
Gibson (6-2, 170) weighed multiple Division 1 FBS offers after jumping into the portal, including Appalachian State, Liberty, South Alabama, New Mexico State, Sam Houston State, Jacksonville State, FAU, Louisiana Tech, Kennesaw State, Western Kentucky and Arkansas State.
Ultimately, he decided to ball by the beach. Coastal Carolina, located in Conway, S.C. near Myrtle Beach, plays in the FBS Sun Belt Conference with regional foes like App State.
A 2022 graduate of Jacksonville High, Gibson twice earned all-CIAA honors as a cornerback for Shaw, a Division II program. In his two seasons with the Bears, Gibson made 47 tackles, picked off four passes (including three in 2024) and broke up eight passes.
Chants Up 👌🏽@CoastalFootball
I Thank God! pic.twitter.com/pDkbQKpclu — Noah Gibson (@shifty101_) April 22, 2025
Could former Catawba star RB return to North Carolina D2 ranks?
Running back LJ Turner made a similar Division II-to-FBS jump after the 2024 season, transferring from Catawba to West Virginia during the winter portal cycle. He enrolled at the school in January and was named a WVU Student Athlete of the Week in March.
But Turner has re-entered the transfer portal as part of a massive roster cutdown by new Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez. More than 20 players were either released outright or encouraged to transfer after spring practice ended earlier this month. WVU is trimming down to get within the new 105-player roster limit.
Turner posted Monday evening that Lenoir-Rhyne, which plays in the same conference as Catawba (the D2 South Atlantic), has extended an offer.
Turner also reports an offer from North Dakota, which plays in the Division I FCS level, as well as from Valdosta State, the reigning Division II national runner-up.
Turner had a breakout season for Catawba in 2024, leading our state’s Division II ranks with 1,224 yards on the ground. He averaged 7.0 yards per carry and scored 13 touchdowns.
He was the only North Carolina player to join the 300-yard club in a single game last year, blitzing Anderson for 329 yards and five touchdowns in a 44-41 overtime triumph.
Turner was a nominee for the Harlon Hill Award, given to the top D2 football player in the nation.
Now that would be interesting… https://t.co/oGJqijmIx6 — NC Football News (@NCFootballNews) April 22, 2025
LJ Turner was one of only seven North Carolina college running backs to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in 2024 – and the only one from D2. Explore the top rushers from all divisions of play from last season here.
Read the latest on transfers coming into and going out of North Carolina FBS programs here.
