North Carolina small-college football rosters lost a lot of rushing production from 2025 — but not all of it.
While many of the state’s top ground-gainers from last season left via the transfer portal, graduated or exhausted their eligibility, a handful of proven playmakers are expected to return to FCS, D2 and D3 backfields across the state this fall.
That group includes the state’s leading rusher from a year ago, a 1,000-yard back from the reigning CIAA champions and a former Division II standout who has moved up to the FCS level.
Here are five returning rushers to keep an eye on entering the 2026 season, along with five of the biggest losses from small-college running back rooms.
👉 Related: View 2025 North Carolina college football stat leaders across multiple statistical categories
1. Nahjiir Seagraves, North Carolina Wesleyan
The former Pinecrest High standout and St. Andrews transfer confirmed to NC Football News over the weekend he plans to return to North Carolina Wesleyan for the 2026 season. Seagraves led all North Carolina college football players with 1,236 rushing yards in 2025 while adding 13 touchdowns in just nine games, an average of more than 137 yards per contest.
Seagraves earned first-team All-USA South honors and topped the 100-yard mark eight times last season. His biggest performance came against Belhaven, when he rushed for 209 yards and three touchdowns.
2. Bobby Smith, Johnson C. Smith
One of the most iconic images of the 2025 season featured Smith plowing into the end zone on a short run, carrying tacklers with him, in the final seconds of a comeback win over Fayetteville State. The victory kept JCSU in the CIAA title conversation, and the Golden Bulls went on to win its first league crown since 1969 a few weeks later.
Smith finished with 1,052 rushing yards on the season, scoring nine TDs. His return, plus the addition of transfer running back Fabian Duncan from Allen University – the reigning SIAC player of the year – gives the Golden Bulls’ legitimate title repeat hopes.
3. Carson Gresock, Gardner-Webb
The bullish runner from Ohio followed coach Cris Reisert from Tiffin to Gardner-Webb in 2024 will stick around Boiling Springs with Reisert now departed to Toledo.
Gresock was one part of a two-headed rushing monster a year ago, accounting for 798 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. He could feature prominently in new head coach Kris McCullough’s attack in addition to providing much-needed veteran leadership during the coaching transition.
4. Jimmyll Williams, Elon
The Durham Hillside High alum spent two seasons at Virginia State before transferring to Elon in 2025. The 5-9, 205-pound back got the most out of every carry, averaging 6.3 yards per attempt last season. He rushed for 673 yards in all, finding the end zone three times.
With backfield mate T.J. Thomas off to Minnesota, Williams could emerge as RB1 as the Phoenix chase a playoff berth.
5. Jon Gullette, Campbell
The former Reagan High standout will have a new in-state address this season, transferring to Campbell after three years at Mars Hill. Gullette provided steady production for the Lions, rushing for 960 yards and five touchdowns in 2025 and 869 yards and four TDs in 2024.
The Camels return starter J.J. Cowan and 2025 backup Ethan Lawrence, but Gullette should have the opportunity to contribute in Buies Creek.
Notable Rushing Losses from 2025
- Jackson Parrish, Barton (1,095 yards) → North Greenville
- Chris Mosley, NCCU (1,017 yards) → eligibility exhausted
- Xavier Pugh, Wingate (1,008 yards, 21 TDs) → Towson
- Quasean Holmes, Gardner-Webb (969 yards) → transfer portal
- Kevin Lalin, Catawba (825 yards) → Chattanooga
Related NC Football News Coverage
- 2025 North Carolina Stat Leaders
- 2026 FCS Schedules
- 2026 Division II Schedules
- Small-College Saturdays Newsletter
