2025-26 North Carolina FBS College Football Transfer Portal Tracker

The NCAA Division I football transfer portal was open from Jan. 2-16, 2026, and scores of FCS college football players from the Old North State opted to pursue transfer opportunities.

With the portal now closed to new entrants, this tracker will continue to follow:

• FBS players who entered the portal from App State, Charlotte, Duke, East Carolina, NC State, UNC and Wake Forest during the Jan. 2-16 window and their 2026 destinations
• Incoming transfers to North Carolina FBS programs

This is a living page and will be updated regularly leading up to the 2026 season. It will serve as complimentary pages published by our partner, The North Carolina Sports Network, which is tracking statewide movement and ACC transfer movement.

If you see a move we’ve missed, feel free to reach out by tweeting NC Football News.

More Transfer Portal Content

🔗 North Carolina FCS Transfer Portal Tracker
🔗 North Carolina D2 Transfer Portal Tracker
🔗 Tiered NC Transfer Portal Rankings and ACC Transfer Portal Coverage (from NC Sports Network)

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🏫 School-By-School Outgoing Transfers

These players entered the transfer portal during the Jan. 2-16, 2026 window. Commitments are indicated with → [New School]. Sources: 247Sports, NC Sports Network, social media, On3Sports.

Appalachian State Mountaineers (41 Players)

CB Cristian Conyer → Eastern Kentucky
CB Emory Floyd → Colorado
CB Tyshawn Sanders → Gardner-Webb
DL Bucci Farmer → Old Dominion
DL DeNigel Cooper → Wisconsin
DL Dylan Manuel → Colorado
DL KJ Liles → North Carolina Central
DL Rondo Parker → Rutgers
DL Saint Farrior → Auburn
EDGE Anthony Mebane → Gardner-Webb
EDGE Thomas Davis → Tulsa
K Dominic De Freitas → North Texas
LB Brayshawn Littlejohn → FIU
LB Jayden Bethea → Valdosta State
LB Marquis Lane-Owens → South Carolina State
LS Jacob Poff → North Texas
OL Felix Doege → Rhode Island
OL Griffin Scroggs
OL Moritz Schmoranzer → Wofford
OT Denell Nix Jr.
OT Gabriel Funk → Bowling Green
P Ian Ratliff → North Texas
P Mitchell Lake
QB AJ Swann → Mississippi State
QB JJ Kohl → FIU
QB Matthew Wilson
RB Jaylon Calhoun → North Alabama
RB Khalifa Keith
RB Khamani Alexander → Charlotte
S DJ Burks → Tennessee
S Elijah Mc-Cantos → Colorado State
S Ja’Torian Mack → Western Carolina
S Kaleb Neal → Eastern Kentucky
S Zyeir Gamble → East Carolina
TE Kanen Hamlett → East Carolina
WR Chris Lawson Jr.
WR Davion Dozier → NC State
WR Jaden Barnes → Charlotte
WR Jose Leon
WR William Fowles
WR Zahn Coakley → UTSA

Charlotte 49ers (21 Players)

CB Cary Grant → Appalachian State
CB Dwight Bootle II → Arizona
DL Cheick Kaba
DL Xavier Miles → Memphis
EDGE Yamil Talib → Colorado
K Liam Boyd → Michigan State
LB JJ Okate
OL Aiden Martinez
OL Andrew Cunningham → North Texas
OL Devin Davis
OL Mo Clipper Jr.
OT Mason Bowers
OT Tyler Gibson → UCF
OT Umar Rockhead
QB Zach Wilcke → Northwestern State
RB C.J. Stokes
RB Rod Gainey Jr. → LSU
WR Jayden McGowan
WR Javen Nicholas → Duke
WR Miles Burris → Akron
WR Ta’ir Brooks
EDGE Curtis Simpson → Returning to Charlotte
LB Gavin Willis → Returning to Charlotte
OT Eli Samples → Returning to Charlotte
RB Don Chaney Jr. → Returning to Charlotte

Duke Blue Devils (16 Players)

CB Kyren Condoll → Rice
CB Moussa Kane
CB Vontae Floyd → FIU
DL Desmond Aladuge → Connecticut
DT Terry Simmons Jr. → USF
OT Jack Small
QB Darian Mensah
QB Henry Belin IV
RB Peyton Jones → Liberty
S Ma’khi Jones → Florida State
S Maliki Wright
S Kenzy Paul
S Terry Moore → Ohio State
TE Vance Bolyard → Tulane
WR Chase Tyler → Wake Forest
WR Cooper Barkate
WR Que’Sean Brown → Virginia Tech

East Carolina Pirates (26 Players)

CB Jordy Lowery → Florida
CB Key Crowell
DL Justin Benton → North Texas
DL Xavier McIver
DL Zion Wilson → Virginia
LB Kendric Davis
LB Samuel Dankah
OL Dru McClough
OL Emmanuel Poku → South Carolina
OL Leivi Semaia
OT Jimarion McCrimon → NC State
OT Samuel Riddy Jr.
QB Chaston Ditta → North Texas
QB Katin Houser → Illinois
QB Raheim Jeter
RB London Montgomery → Florida
RB Parker Jenkins → Lamar
S Bernard Lackey Jr.
S Ja’Marley Riddle → Georgia
S O’Marion Lewis
TE Desirrio Riles → Florida State
TE Jayvontay Conner → Vanderbilt
WR Jyron Waiters → Campbell
WR Malik Leverett → West Georgia
WR Trenton Cloud
WR Yannick Smith → SMU

NC State Wolfpack (20 Players)

CB Jivan Baly
DL Josh Alexander-Felton
DL Justin Terrell → Sam Houston
LB Elijah Groves → Sam Houston
LB Joshua Ofor → Arkansas State
LB Kelvin McBride → Marshall
LB Kenny Soares Jr. → Michigan State
LB Terris Dudley → UConn
OL Brock Stukes → Sam Houston
OT Jacarrius Peak → South Carolina
OT Val Erickson → Liberty
QB Lex Thomas
RB Hollywood Smothers → Texas
S Daemon Fagan
S Rente Hinton → Marshall
S Zack Myers
WR Christian Zachary
WR Noah Rogers → Alabama
WR Tank Boston → Charlotte
WR Terrell Anderson → Southern Cal

UNC Tar Heels (29 Players)

CB Khalil Conley → Appalachian State
CB Ty White → NC State
DL CJ Mims → Texas A&M
DL D’Antre Robinson → Oregon
DL Kamarion Thomas → UMass
DL Devin Ancrum → Charlotte
EDGE Tyler Thompson → Louisville
LB Chinedu Onyeagoro
LB Khmori House → Arkansas
LB Mikai Gbayor → Florida State
OL Bo Burkes → Jacksonville State
OL Jani Norwood → Boston College
OT Miles McVay → Mississippi State
OT William Boone → Texas State
RB Davion Gause → NC State
RB Jaylon Nichols
QB Bryce Baker → Virginia Tech
QB Gio Lopez → Wake Forest
QB Max Johnson → Georgia Southern
S Malcomb Ziglar → USF
TE Connor Cox → Virginia
TE Jake Johnson → Auburn
TE Yasir Smith
WR Aziah Johnson
WR Chris Culliver → Marshall
WR Jason Robinson Jr.
WR Javarius Green → Boston College
WR Kenedy Uzoma → Temple
WR Paul Billups II

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (22 Players)

DL Ka’Shawn Thomas
DL Mateen Ibirogba → Texas Tech
EDGE Cole Funderburk → Marshall
EDGE Kendal Howard
LB Darius Jones
OT Melvin Siani → Texas
OT Nathan Pahanich → Connecticut
QB Deshawn Purdie → Liberty
QB Elijah Oehike → Bryant
RB Drew Pickett
RB Tate Carney
S Jacob Cosby-Mosley → Western Kentucky
S William Wiebush
TE Dominic Deluca
TE Harry Lodge → UCLA
WR Ben Grice → Rice
WR Chris Barnes → Oregon State
WR EJ Reid → UAB
WR Jeremiah Melvin → East Carolina
WR Micah Mays Jr. → Florida
WR Reginald Vick Jr. → Colorado State
WR Sterling Berkhalter
OL Derrell Johnson II → Returning to Wake Forest

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🏫 School-By-School Incoming Transfers

The following players have announced commitments or have signed with North Carolina FBS programs during the 2025-26 transfer portal cycle.

Appalachian State Mountaineers

CB Cary Grant (Charlotte)
CB Dre Walker (Virginia)
CB Ja’Cari Henderson (UCF)
CB Joseph Reddish (Virginia Tech)
CB Josh Williams (Dayton)
CB Khalil Conley (UNC)
DL Aaron Clark (Towson)
DL Jehcyhs Brown (Southeast Missouri)
DL Ki’Shawn Harvey (East Tennessee State)
K James London (Murray State)
LB Alex Mitchell (Middle Tennessee)
LB Carson Sloan (Samford)
LB Keshawn Thomas (ODU)
LB Kevin Henderson (Findlay)
LS Parker Stone (Tulsa)
OT Devon Manuel (Florida)
OT Greydon Grimes (Kansas)
OT Mac Walters (South Carolina)
P Jaxson Dunn (Arkansas State)
QB Henry Hasselbeck (UCLA)
QB Malachi Singleton (Purdue)
QB Tommy Ulatowski (Kennesaw State)
RB J’Marion Burnett (Houston)
RB Treyaun Webb (Florida)
S Devin Henderson (Liberty)
S Eric Adams (North Carolina Central)
S Jakob Gude (UCF)
S Kaleb Purdy (Tennessee Tech)
TE Darrin Fugitt (Lindenwood)
TE Luke Douglas (Florida State)
WR Chris Lofton (Gardner-Webb)
WR Dazmin James (California)
WR Sam Pickett (Samford)
WR Samaj Fleming (Boston College)
WR Zachary Taylor (Arkansas)

Charlotte 49ers

CB Jameel Croft Jr. (Kansas)
DL D’Nas White (Catawba)
DL Devin Ancrum (North Carolina)
EDGE Shaku Sangarie (Drake)
LS Henry Searcy (Pittsburgh)
OL Nicolas Cruji (Maine)
OT J’ven Williams (Penn State)
OT Mathias Nielson (Virginia Union)
QB Cole Gonzales (Pittsburgh)
RB Chance Williams (Cincinnati)
RB Khamani Alexander (Appalachian State)
S Shamar McIntosh (Maryland)
TE Lane Wadle (Georgia State)
TE Logan Mauldin (McNeese)
WR Cam Pedro (Southeast Missouri State)
WR Jaden Barnes (Appalachian State)
WR Tank Boston (NC State)
WR Zyheem Collick (Bryant)

Duke Blue Devils

CB Evan Smith (Northwestern)
CB Kyon Loud (Montana)
CB Dylan Flowers (Western Kentucky)
DL Dakota Quinonez (Dartmouth)
DL Owen Wafle (Penn State)
LB Jon Morris (Connecticut)
OT Braden Miller (California)
OT Nick Del Grande (Coastal Carolina)
QB Ari Patu (North Alabama)
RB CJ Campbell Jr. (Rutgers)
S Che Ojarikre (Stanford)
S Patrick Smith-Young (North Texas)
TE Nate Kurisky (Louisville)
WR Jared Richardson (Penn)
WR Javen Nicholas (Charlotte)

East Carolina Pirates

CB Ashton Levells (FIU)
CB Rae’mon Mosby (Louisville)
CB Jaylen Bowden (Minnesota)
LB Cade Law (Memphis)
LB Crews Law (Memphis)
OL Brandon Best (Kennesaw State)
OL Ethan Kramer (Northern Arizona)
OT Hayes Creel (Southern Miss)
QB Emory Williams (Miami)
QB Mitch Griffis (Texas Tech)
RB Ashton Gray (North Texas)
RB Michael Allen (Marshall)
S Christian Peterson (UCF)
S Myles Pollard (Memphis)
S Zyeir Gamble (Appalachian State)
TE Ismael Smith Flores (Texas-Rio Grande Valley)
TE Kanen Hamlett (Appalachian State)
WR Ja’Keith Hamilton (Furman)
WR Jeremiah Melvin (Wake Forest)
WR Landon Sides (North Texas)
WR Ray Ray Joseph (Miami)

NC State Wolfpack

CB Ondre Evans (Georgia)
CB Ty White (North Carolina)
DL KaTron Evans (Marshall)
EDGE Harvey Dyson (Tulane)
LB DaKaari Nelson (Penn State)
OL Daniel Cruz (Texas)
OT Jimarion McCrimon (East Carolina)
P Jackson Waller (SMU)
S King Mack (Penn State)
RB Davion Gause (North Carolina)
TE Hunter Provience (Montana State)
TE Vander Ploog (Oregon)
WR Chance Robinson (Miami)
WR Davion Dozier (Appalachian State)
WR Tyran Warren (Alcorn State)
WR Victor Snow (Buffalo)

UNC Tar Heels

CB Ade Willie (Michigan State)
DL Tarvorise Brown (Florida)
EDGE Jaylen Harvey (Penn State)
LB Derek McDonald (Syracuse)
LB Peyton Seelmann (Richmond)
OL Andrew Threatt (Charleston Southern)
OL Rowan Byrne (Clemson)
OT Shaq McRoy (Arkansas)
QB Billy Edwards (Wisconsin)
QB Miles O’Neill (Texas A&M)
RB Kaleb Jackson (LSU)
TE Jaxxon Warren (Colorado State)
TE Jelani Thurman (Ohio State)
TE Jordan Washington (Texas)
WR Mason Humphrey (Lehigh)
WR Trech Kekahuna (Wisconsin)

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

CB Brian Blades II (FIU)
CB Bernard Causey III (Georgia State)
DL Matt Herron (Weber State)
DL Sydir Mitchell (LSU)
EDGE DJ Johnson (New Hampshire)
LB Buom Jock (California)
LB Tylan McNichols (UAB)
OL John Ohnegian (Bucknell)
OL Will Way (Weber State)
OT Ethan Calloway (LSU)
OT Ryan Berger (Oregon State)
OT Tolu Olajide (New Hampshire)
QB Gio Lopez (UNC)
RB KD Daniels (Florida)
RB Sawyer Seidl (North Dakota)
S Josh Patterson (Iowa State)
S Vincent Firenze (Dayton)
TE Landon Morris (California)
WR Antonio Meeks (Louisville)
WR Chase Tyler (Duke)
WR Drayden Dickmann (Rice)
WR Kam Shanks (Arkansas)
WR Ny Carr (Miami)
WR Wondame Davis Jr. (UTEP)

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions: College Football Transfer Portal (FBS)

When does the college football transfer portal open for FBS players?

For the 2025–26 cycle, the NCAA transfer portal for FBS players is open from January 2 through January 16. Players were able to announce intentions before that date, but could only officially enter the portal once the window opened.

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Could FBS or FCS players enter the transfer portal before January 2?

In most cases, no. FBS and FCS players had to wait until the January window opened to put their name into the portal officially.
Exceptions include:

• Players previously grandfathered in under older rules, such as a mid-season coaching change.
• Players transferring from Division II or Division III, which do not have transfer windows

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What changed with the transfer portal window dates?

Previously, the portal opened in early December and lasted about 30 days. Beginning with the 2025–26 cycle:

• The winter portal window moved to January
• The window was shortened to 15 days
• The spring transfer window was eliminated
  These changes were designed to limit roster churn and make the process more predictable for teams.

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Do players have to find their new school before the transfer portal window closes?

No. The portal window only governs when a player can enter their name.
Once in the portal, a player can:

• Take official visits
• Communicate with schools
• Commit and enroll later

There is no deadline for choosing a new school after entering the portal.

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Do graduate transfers have special rules?

Not anymore. Graduate transfers previously had more flexibility, but under the new rules graduate transfers must follow the same 15-day January window as all other players.

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How do coaching changes affect the transfer portal?

Under the updated rules:

• A coaching change does not automatically trigger a transfer window
• Players only receive a 15-day window if a new head coach is hired after January 2

This is a change from earlier rules, which allowed immediate portal entry after a coach departed.

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How many players typically enter the transfer portal?

The numbers continue to grow each year. During the 2024-25 season more than 4,900 FBS players and more than 3,200 FCS players entered the transfer portal nationwide, per ESPN reporting. More than 1,000 Division I players were known to enter the portal during the first hours the 2026 window opened on Jan. 2.

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Why did the NCAA move the portal window to January?

Coaches and administrators pushed for the change because December had become overwhelming.
December now includes:

• Coaching carousel
• High school early signing day
• Bowl preparation
• Recruiting visits

Moving the portal to January reduces conflicts and theoretically helps prevent a large exodus of players from leaving College Football Playoff teams mid-postseason.

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Does tampering happen before the portal opens?

Yes — a lot of it, per ESPN and 247Sports reporting. While players could not officially enter the portal until January, recruiting conversations often begin earlier through:

• Agents
• General managers
• Informal back-channel communication

In many cases, players already have a strong idea of where they will transfer before officially entering the portal. Already hundreds of players, through their agents or social media posts, have announced their intentions to seek a transfer, even some on North Carolina bowl-bound teams.

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Will fewer players transfer now that the window is shorter?

It’s too early to know for sure. While the portal window has been reduced from 60 days (in 2022) to just 15 days now, several factors may still fuel movement:

• Revenue sharing
• NIL opportunities
• Multiyear agreements

Schools hope shorter windows will improve roster stability, but transfer volume has increased every year so far.

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