The transfer portal has transformed college football, becoming a pivotal element of roster building even at the FCS level.
While the spotlight often shines on FBS programs, the impact of player movement is deeply felt across FCS schools, where every addition or departure can significantly shape a team’s success.
North Carolina’s seven FCS programs — Gardner-Webb, North Carolina A&T, Western Carolina, Elon, Davidson, Campbell and North Carolina Central – are no strangers to the portal’s influence.
Last season, Gardner-Webb provided a striking example of how the portal can remake a roster. Following the departure of head coach Tre Lamb to East Tennessee State, the Bulldogs lost approximately 25 players to ETSU alone. Despite those losses, Gardner-Webb managed to replenish its ranks, exemplifying how the portal is both a challenge and a resource.
Nationally, the numbers underscore the portal’s scale. According to HERO Sports, 830 players moved from FBS to FCS schools for the 2024 season, while 395 went from FCS to FBS, and another 548 transferred between FCS programs.
This transfer portal tracker will focus on confirmed commitments and signings for North Carolina’s FCS programs, offering an up-to-date view of how schools from the Old North State are leveraging the portal to build for 2025. Bookmark this page and check back regularly: updates will be added routinely as new commitments are announced.
UPDATED 5/4: Gardner-Webb plucked a trio of transfers from in-state FBS programs in recent moves: wide receiver Jack Reynolds (Charlotte), linebacker Cahari Haynes (Appalachian State) and offensive lineman Blake Bradford (Appalachian State).
All three are alums of NC high schools. Reynolds (Mocksville | Davie County HS) played in 23 games for the 49ers, making six catches. Haynes has 15 games of experience with the Mountaineers, earning a sack against ECU and blocking a punt against James Madison in 2024. He finished with 14 tackles a year ago. Bradford (Denver | East Lincoln HS) did not see game action while at App State.
UPDATED 4/22: Campbell’s leading tackler in 2024, Jalen Brooks, will play his final season at Missouri State. The Bears went 8-4 a year ago in the ultra-competitive Missouri Valley Conference (FCS). Brooks played at Cardinal Gibbons in Raleigh before starting his college career at UNC. Missouri State is joining the FBS ranks in 2025 and will open the season at Southern Cal.
UPDATED 4/16: The spring 10-day transfer portal window opened, and Campbell transfer wide receiver Sincere Brown quickly found a home. Brown committed to Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes. Meanwhile, the Camels picked up a pair of transfer linebackers Kalen Villanueva (UConn) and Milad Aghaiepour (North Carolina).
UPDATED 3/28: The Campbell Camels added a pair of offensive pieces, tight end Trevor Wilson (Robert Morris) and wide receiver Josh Ellerbe (UNC Pembroke).
UPDATED 3/23: Gardner-Webb transfer quarterback Tyler Riddell has found a school to spend his final year of eligibility. Riddell, who threw for more than 2,500 yards a year ago as a Runnin’ Bulldog, has signed with Duquesne … Western Carolina has added multiple linemen and wide receivers in recent transfer moves, including former Boston College OL Ilija Krajnovic.
UPDATED 3/19: First-team all-conference wide receiver Sincere Brown announced he was transferring from Campbell. Brown immediately reported a number of Power 4 offers, including from North Carolina, Michigan, West Virginia, Colorado, Louisville and Utah. He had not announced a commitment as of 3/23.
UPDATED 2/7: North Carolina Central brought in four transfers as part of its National Signing Day 2025 class. Two of the four have ties to North Carolina: Wide receiver Joshua Crabtree (Murray State) is from Wake Forest and played at Heritage High. Defensive end Khareem Thompson earned all-conference with Lenoir-Rhyne in 2023 after a standout prep career at Hickory Ridge High.
UPDATED 1/22: Campbell added defensive back Markeece Alexander (UC Davis). Alexander played in 33 games over five years at UC Davis, finishing with 58 tackles, an interception, 15 passes defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Gardner-Webb has signed a pair of transfer wide receivers: Andre Crawley (Morgan State) and Jabre Bevineau (Fullerton College). Crawley made 50 catches for 522 yards and two TDs in 2024, earning Phil Steele third-team All-MEAC recognition. Bevineau had 17 catches, including three for TDs, this past season for Fullerton.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs also have inked offensive lineman Henry Kofowo, who has played in 25 games at Murray State, and tight end Dylan Manders, who made 10 catches for 160 yards and a touchdown at D2 Anderson. Last week, GWU announced the signing of JUCO safety Kam Wyatt, who intercepted three passes and made 20 tackles for Lackawanna College in 2024.
UPDATED 1/14: Added transfer QB Alston Hooker, who is returning to North Carolina A&T from Florida A&M. Added other incoming A&T transfers Anthony Murphy II (edge from Howard), JT Smith Jr. (RB from Wofford) and MarQuis Roberts (LB from Campbell).
Western Carolina picked up a D1 bounce-back transfer, wide receiver Davontis Clements from Highland Community College (Kan.), as well as offensive lineman Vito Moriana-Sigel (Mississippi Valley State).
UPDATED 1/8: Added new Gardner-Webb transfer commits Cole Pennington (QB), Brady Braun (P) and Adam Hickerson (OL). Pennington, transferring in from Marshall, is the son of former Thundering Herd standout Chad Pennington (READ MORE).
UPDATED 1/6: Added outgoing transfers Malik Willis (Campbell to Texas State) and Zion Booker (Western Carolina to Tulsa).
UPDATED 12/30: Gardner-Webb picked up a pair of transfers with high school roots in North Carolina: quarterback Nate Hampton from Liberty and wide receiver Jalen Harris from Coastal Carolina. Hampton, from Advance, threw for 3,300 yards as a senior at Davie County before spending the past four seasons with the Flames. Harris, from Harrisburg (Hickory Ridge HS), just spent his freshman season in Conway and saw brief action against App State in November.
Western Carolina has now sent seven players to FBS locales, including the SEC and Big Ten. All-American defensive back Caleb Curtain, formerly of Elon, inked with Charlotte.
Campbell has been busy in the portal, adding tight end Ashton Miller from Davidson and defensive tackle Tyson Watson from UMass.
Are we missing someone? Please let us know by tagging us on Twitter/X or sending an email to eric@ncfootballnews.com.
FCS Transfer Tracker | 2024-25 Cycle
Campbell Camels
Campbell CamelsIncoming Transfers
Daniel Lopes (WR): From Villanova
Ravel Cato (S): From Reedley College
Treaden Henry (OT): From Marshall
Kalen Villanueva (LB): From Connecticut
Milad Aghaiepour (LB): From North Carolina
Trevor Wilson (TE): From Robert Morris
Josh Ellerbe (WR): From UNC Pembroke
Carlando Crump (S): From Northwest Mississippi CC
Tavales Curry (DL): From Highland Community College
Jalen Ferguson (QB): From Lenoir-Rhyne
Justin Garza (DL): From Blinn College
David Hamilton Jr. (WR): From Johnson C. Smith
Trayjen Llanas-Wilcox (WR): From East Texas Baptist
Ashton Miller (DL): From Davidson
Kamden Sixkiller (QB): From McNeese State
Tyson Watson (DT): From Massachusetts
Aiden Whipple (OLB): From Butte College
Chase Wilkens (TE): From Monmouth
Zyterrio Lee (OL): From Alabama State
Markeece Alexander (CB): From UC Davis
Outgoing Transfers
George Wilson (EDGE): To South Carolina
Jalen Brooks (LB): To Missouri State
Sincere Brown (WR): To Colorado
Kenneth Kelly (DB): To Alabama A&M
Isaiah Potts (DT): To East Tennessee State
Chaney Fitzgerald (WR): To Prairie View A&T
VJ Wilkins (WR/KR): To Boston College
Joshua Pierce (DE): To North Texas
Aiden Valdez (TE): To New Mexico
Malik Willis (DB): To Texas State
MarQuis Roberts (LB): To North Carolina A&T
Rashawn Carr (LB): To Marshall
Davidson Wildcats
Davidson WildcatsIncoming Transfers
Christos Tzoumakas (P/K): From Colby College
Outgoing Transfers
Kristian Ozane (LB): To Chattanooga
Jayden Joyce (OL): To Holy Cross
Christian Berry (TE): To Kent State
Sabin Mclaughlin Jr. (DB): To Gardner-Webb
Ashton Miller (DL): To Campbell
Cam’ron Willis (LB): To Idaho State
Adam Zouagui (K): To South Florida
Elon Phoenix
Elon PhoenixIncoming Transfers
Brodie Carroll (LB): From Shepherd University
Jared Kirksey (DE): From South Carolina State
Jimmyll Williams (RB): From Virginia State
Marco Lainez (QB): From Iowa
Marcus Mauney (DL): From Norfolk State
Outgoing Transfers
Dylan Tucker (DB): To Utah State
Brandon Smiley (DL): To Wake Forest
Caleb Curtain (DB): To Charlotte
Cody Hardy (TE): To NC State
Cazeem Moore (DE): To Virginia
Chuck Nnaeto (DL): To Boston College
Marco Patierno (LB): To Eastern Michigan
Brandon Tyson (LB): To Georgia Southern
Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs
Gardner-Webb Runnin’ BulldogsIncoming Transfers
Cahari Haynes (LB): From Appalachian State
Blake Bradford (OL): From Appalachian State
David Laney (DB): From North Carolina A&T
Kory Jones (WR): From Limestone
Brady Braun (P): From Coffeyville CC
Ryan Demonbreun (TE): From Kentucky Wesleyan
Jackson Door (P): From Stony Brook
Markel Fortenberry (WR): From Liberty
Jaylen Hampton (WR): From Western Kentucky
Nate Hampton (QB): From Liberty
Gatlin Hancock (TE): From Kennesaw State
Jalen Harris (WR): From Coastal Carolina
Adam Hickerson (OL): From Sewanee
Chris Lofton (WR): From James Madison
Sabin McLaughlin Jr. (DB): From Davidson
Cole Pennington (QB): From Marshall
Daejuan Thompson (LB): From Garden City CC
Charles Viorel (K): From Fullerton College
Jaden “Cash”Watkins (DB): From Garden City CC
Trey Weems (DL): From Thomas More University
Jesse Igwe (OL): From Charleston (WV)
Elvin Fofanah (TE): From Western Kentucky
Kam Wyatt (S): From Lackawanna College
Andre Crawley (WR): From Morgan State
Jabre Bevineau (WR): From Fullerton College
Henry Kofowo (OL): From Murray State
Dylan Manders (TE): From Anderson
Outgoing Transfers
Lukas Kachilo (QB): To Mars Hill
Jonathan Palmer (QB): To Tennessee State
Anthony Enechukwu (S): To Jackson State
Tyler Riddell (QB): To Duquesne
David Okoi (WR): To Morgan State
Oscar Colon (OL): To Presbyterian
Pius Njenge (DL): To Tarleton State
Phinnell Marshall (DL): To North Carolina A&T
Trevor Moffitt (LB): To East Tennessee State
Camden Overton (TE): To Georgia State
North Carolina A&T Aggies
North Carolina A&T AggiesIncoming Transfers
Timothy Alderman (LB): From Austin Peay
Alston Hooker (QB): From Florida A&T
Anthony Murphy II (Edge): From Howard
JT Smith Jr. (RB): From Wofford
MarQuis Roberts (LB): From Campbell
Phinnell Marshall (DL): From Gardner-Webb
Tyson Moorer (OL): From East Tennessee State
Ryan Stephens (WR): From East Carolina
Outgoing Transfers
David Laney (DB): To Gardner-Webb
Spencer Webb (OL): To Eastern Michigan
Josh Hardy (DE): To Weber State
Karon Prunty (DB): To Wake Forest
Brock Stukes (OL): To NC State
RJ Adams (OL): To New Mexico
Kenji Christian (RB): To Toledo
North Carolina Central Eagles
North Carolina Central EaglesIncoming Transfers
Joshua Crabtree (WR): From Murray State
Anthony “Ant” Fisher (DB): From Bluefield State
Khareem Thompson (DE): From Lenoir-Rhyne
Refeno Vengates (WR): From Keiser
Outgoing Transfers
Jaylen Bowden (DB): To Minnesota
J’Mari Taylor (RB): To Virginia
Western Carolina Catamounts
Western Carolina CatamountsIncoming Transfers
Jackson Banks (DT): From Old Dominion
Ilija Krajnovic (OL): From Boston College
Anthony Benjamin (WR): From Jacksonville State
Jahleel Anderson (DL): From Alcorn State
Chad Turner (WR): Lamar
La’Charles Taylor (OL): North Alabama
Cam’ron Dabney (DB): From Northern Illinois
Renard Smith (OL): From University of Pikeville
Jordan Thompson (LB): From Middle Tennessee State
Vito Moriana-Sigel (OL): From Mississippi Valley State
Davontis Clements (WR): From Highland Community College (Kan.)/Alcorn State
Outgoing Transfers
Peyton Davis (OL): To The Citadel
Zion Booker (WR): To Tulsa
Caleb Carter (OL): To Michigan State
Cole Gonzales (QB): To Oklahoma
Calvin Jones (WR): To Samford
Jordy Lowery (DB): To East Carolina
Tahjae Mullix (DL): To Oregon State
Derek Simmons (OL): To Oklahoma
Antarron Turner (LB): To Wisconsin
Jake Young (TE): To Charlotte
FBS Transfer Tracker | NC College Football
Our friends at The North Carolina Sports Network and David Glenn Show are keeping up with who’s coming and who’s leaving the state’s FBS programs: Appalachian State, Charlotte, Duke, East Carolina, NC State, North Carolina and Wake Forest.
To view incoming transfers joining NC’s FBS programs, click HERE
To view outgoing transfers leaving NC’s FBS programs click HERE
