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 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
Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs
Incoming Transfers
- 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
- Pius Njenge (DL): To Tarleton State
- Phinnell Marshall (DL): To North Carolina A&T
North Carolina A&T Aggies
Incoming Transfers
- 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
- Karon Prunty (DB): To Wake Forest
- Brock Stukes (OL): To NC State
- RJ Adams (OL): To New Mexico
Western Carolina Catamounts
Incoming Transfers
- 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
- 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
Elon Phoenix
Incoming 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
- 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
Davidson Wildcats
Incoming Transfers
- None reported
Outgoing Transfers
- 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
Campbell Camels
Incoming Transfers
- 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
- VJ Wilkins (WR/KR): To Boston College
- Joshuan 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
North Carolina Central Eagles
Incoming Transfers
- None reported
Outgoing Transfers
- Jaylen Bowden (DB): To Minnesota
- J’Mari Taylor (RB): To Virginia
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
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