2025 North Carolina Football Transfer Portal:
Enrollees/Signees/Commitments (Seven In-State FBS Programs)
(Incoming)

By David Glenn
North Carolina Sports Network
(last updated Jan. 31, 2025)

(Details on 2025 OUTGOING transfers from the state of North Carolina’s seven FBS programs can be found HERE.)

Thanks to the NCAA’s creation of the transfer portal in 2018, then the organization’s revolutionary 2021 rule change that allowed first-time transfers to be immediately eligible at their new school, the manner in which college football teams are built and sustained has changed dramatically.

Just on the first day of the 2024-25 transfer cycle, more than 750 players at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level entered the portal. Including walk-ons, the first-day FBS number surpassed 1,000.

Last year, during the 2023-24 cycle, more than 3,800 FBS players entered the portal. That was a new record, up from 3,500-plus in 2022-23. In recent years, more than two-thirds of all portal entries have entered during the early (December) window.

Meanwhile, all across college football, the percentage of players who joined their program as a major college transfer (rather than straight from the high school ranks) has reached unprecedented levels. Accordingly, the percentage of transfers on all-conference squads has never been higher.

In the Atlantic Coast Conference, for example, 13 slots on the 28-player All-ACC first team this season were filled by major college transfers, including Miami quarterback Cam Ward (Washington State), SMU running back Brashard Smith (Miami), Louisville wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks (Alabama), Pitt all-purpose back Desmond Reid (Western Carolina), North Carolina guard Willie Lampkin (Coastal Carolina), Virginia Tech defensive end Antwaun Powell-Ryland (Florida), Virginia Tech defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles (Duke), Miami defensive tackle Simeon Barrow Jr. (Michigan State) and SMU defensive tackle Jared Harrison-Hunte (Miami). Reid also made the first team as a return man.

At Appalachian State this season, four of the Mountaineers’ best players were major college transfers: center Jack Hollifield (Virginia Tech), wide receiver Makai Jackson (Saint Francis), running back Ahmani Marshall (Wake Forest) and wide receiver Kaedin Robinson (UCF). Each received 2024 All-Sun Belt Conference accolades.

At Charlotte, four of the 49ers’ best players were major college transfers: cornerback Dontae Balfour (UNC), wide receiver O’Mega Blake (South Carolina), defensive end Demon Clowney (Ole Miss) and kicker Stephen Rusnak (Michigan State). Each received 2024 All-American Athletic Conference accolades.

At East Carolina, five of the Pirates’ best players were major college transfers: offensive tackle Parker Moorer (West Virginia), safety Omar Rogers (Elon), wide receiver Anthony Smith (NC State), wide receiver Chase Sowell (Colorado) and wide receiver Winston Wright Jr. (Florida State). Each received 2024 All-American Athletic Conference accolades.

In football, NCAA rules provide for two transfer windows each year. For the 2024-25 cycle, the early window ran from Dec. 9-28. (The Dec. 28 deadline was simply for portal entry; the timeline for selecting a new school is tied more practically to universities’ spring semester, which typically begins in mid-January.) The late window, designed to follow spring practice, will run from April 16-25. Both windows were shortened from those in the 2023-24 transfer cycle.

Reminder: The incoming transfers below are listed with their class/eligibility for the upcoming (2025) season. Under recently revised NCAA rules, virtually all major college transfers are immediately eligible at their new school.

2025 North Carolina FBS Transfer Commitments/Signees
(Enrolled/Incoming)

Appalachian State (14)

Chattanooga DE Joseph Bakhole^, Ss. (2024 starter; also ULM/Coffeyville CC; 6-2, 243 pounds; Myers Park HS in Charlotte)
Coastal Carolina CB Cristian Conyer, Jr. (2024 backup; 10 career tackles; also Tennessee 2023; 6-1, 181 pounds)
Arkansas WR Davion Dozier, r-So. (2024 backup; 4-star HS prospect from Moody HS in Alabama)
Arkansas RB Rashod Dubinion, Sr. (2024 part-time starter; 7 career starts; 209 carries, 888 yards, 8 TDs)
Boise State WR Jackson Grier, r-So. (2024 backup; 2023 redshirt; father = GM of Miami Dolphins)
Arkansas DB Dylan Hasz, Jr. (2024 backup; 3-star HS prospect from Bixby HS in Oklahoma)
New Mexico State OL Shamarr Jackson^, Gr. (2024 starter; 10 career starts; also Iowa Western CC; 6-3, 290 pounds)
Tennessee RB Khalifa Keith, r-So. (2024 redshirt; 2023 backup; 32 career carries, 124 yards, 1 TD)
Iowa State QB JJ Kohl, r-So. (2024 backup; 2023 redshirt; 6-7, 250 pounds; 4-star HS prospect in Iowa)
Missouri LB Brayshawn Littlejohn, r-So. (2024 backup; 2023 redshirt; 3-star prospect at Gaffney HS in South Carolina)
VMI OT Tyriq Poindexter, (2024 1st-team All-SoCon; 23 career starts; 6-5, 325 pounds)
LSU QB AJ Swann, r-Jr. (2024 redshirt; 2-year part-time starter at Vanderbilt; 12 career starts; 224-398 passing for 2,741 yards, 22 TDs, 9 INTs)
Virginia Tech OG Lance Williams, r-So. (2024 backup; 2023 redshirt; 6-3, 310 pounds)
Arkansas LB Brooks Yurachek, r-So. (2024 backup; 2023 redshirt at Wake Forest)

Charlotte (20)

Ball State CB Thai Baldwin, r-Sr. (2024 part-time starter; 8 career starts; 53 career tackles, 8 PD, 1 INT, 1 FF)
Nebraska CB Dwight Bootle II, r-So. (2024 backup; 2023 redshirt; 3-star prospect from Palmetto HS in Miami)
Kennesaw State OG Mason Bowers, r-Sr. (2024 starter; Coastal Carolina backup 2020-23; from High Point Central HS; 6-4, 295 pounds)
Ohio LB Stellan Bowman, So. (2024 backup; followed HC Tim Albin to Charlotte; 6-0, 226 pounds)
Louisville RB Donald Chaney Jr., r-Sr. (2024 backup; 5 career starts; also Miami; 225 career carries for 1,030 yards, 9 TDs)
Elon S Caleb Curtain, Gr. (2024 2nd-team FCS All-America, All-CAA; 171 career tackles, 11.5 TFL, 7 sacks, 23 PD, 7 INTs)
Georgia S Collin Gill, r-So. (2024 backup; 2023 redshirt at Oregon; 6-0, 215 pounds; 3-star HS prospect from D.C.)
Western Kentucky WR Jaylen Hampton, r-Fr. (2024 redshirt; 3-star HS prospect from Georgia)
North Carolina QB Conner Harrell, r-Jr. (2024 backup; 3 career starts; 43-70 career passing, 560 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs)
Northwest Mississippi CC DE Jaylon Johnson, Jr. (2024 1st-team all-conference; 36 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks in 2024; 6-4, 250 pounds)
Wagner DE Jorel Liverpool, Sr. (2x 2nd-team All-NEC by Phil Steele; 98 career tackles, 20.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks; 6-6, 255 pounds)
Duke QB Grayson Loftis, r-So. (2024 backup/redshirt; 5 career starts; 91-163 passing for 1,006 yards, 8 TDs, 4 INTs)
Boston College WR/KR/PR Jayden McGowan, Sr. (KR/PR ace at Vanderbilt, BC; 82 career catches, 836 yards, 3 TDs)
Harvard CB Gavin Shipman, Gr. (2023 HM All-Ivy; 2-year starter; 73 career tackles, 13 PD, 2 INTs, 1 FF)
Newberry OG Dallas Shirley, Sr. (2022 2nd-team All-Piedmont; 3-year starter; 6-4, 290 pounds)
Tennessee WR Nate Spillman, r-So. (2024 backup; 2023 redshirt; 3-star HS prospect from Nashville, Tenn.)
Ohio LB Parker Startz, r-Fr. (2024 redshirt; followed HC Tim Albin to Charlotte; 6-3, 240 pounds)
NW Mississippi QB Zach Wilcke, r-So. (2024 juco starter; 2023 redshirt, 2022 starter at Southern Miss; 134-216 passing, 1,654 yards, 13 TDs, 6 INTs in 2024)
Bucknell LB Gavin Willis, Jr. (2024 2nd-team All-Patriot; 2-year starter; 198 career tackles, 12.5 TFL, 7 PD, 5 FR, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT)
Western Carolina TE Jake Young, r-Jr. (2024 1st-team All-SoCon; 30 career catches, 325 yards, 2 TDs; from Marvin Ridge HS near Charlotte)

Duke (7)

Oklahoma WR Andrel Anthony, r-Sr. (2024 redshirt; 2023 starter; 47 career catches, 761 yards, 5 TDs; formerly Michigan)
Harvard WR Cooper Barkate, r-Jr. (2024 1st-team All-Ivy; 19 career starts; 113 catches, 1,742 yards, 14 TDs)
App State RB Anderson Castle, Gr. (2024 backup; 3 career starts; 193 carries, 1,036 yards, 8 TDs)
Utah State CB Jaiden Francois, Gr. (2-year starter; 110 career tackles, 8 TFL, 4 PD, 2 INTs, 2 sacks; also Nebraska/UCF)
Dartmouth DT Josiah Green, Gr. (2024/2023 1st-/2nd-team All-Ivy; 120 career tackles, 20 TFLs, 4.5 sacks; 6-1, 285 pounds)
Tulane QB Darian Mensah, r-So. (2024 starter; 12 career starts; 189-287 passing for 2,723 yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs; 60-132 rushing, 1 TD)
Sam Houston State S Caleb Weaver, r-Sr. (2024 1st-team All-CUSA; 167 career tackles, 17 PD, 2 FF, 6 INTs)

East Carolina (17)

Maryland CB Jonathan Akins, r-So. (2024 backup; 2023 redshirt; 5-11, 177 pounds)
Houston DT Justin Benton, r-So. (2024 backup; 2023 redshirt; 6-1, 300 pounds)
Indianapolis CB Key Crowell, So. (2024 1st-team All-GLVC; 51 tackles, 9 PD, 5 INTs in 2024)
Sam Houston State DE Kendrick DuJour, r-Jr. (2024 backup; also NCCU; 24 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3 sacks in 2024; 6-5, 225 pounds)
Houston RB Parker Jenkins, Jr. (2023 starter; 2024 backup; 116 career carries, 498 yards, 3 TDs; 5-11, 200 pounds)
Penn State WR Tyler Johnson, r-Jr. (2024 backup; 3-star HS prospect at Magna Vista HS in Virginia)
Garden City RB Dejuan Lacy, r-So. (2024 NJCAA HM All-America; 163 carries for 1,119 yards, 14 TDs)
Maryland OG Kyle Long, Gr. (2024 backup; 6 career starts; 6-5, 324 pounds)
Western Carolina CB Jordy Lowery, r-Jr. (2024 FCS All-America; 48 career tackles, 14 PDs, 6 INTs)
South Carolina WR Payton Mangrum, r-Sr. (2024 backup; special teams ace; 6 career catches, 102 yards, 1 TD)
Tennessee-Martin DT Xavier McIver, r-Sr. (2024 backup; also ECU 2020-23; 6-3, 320 pounds)
Indiana State LS Triston O’Brien, Gr. (2024 starter; also Cincinnati 2020-22)
Oklahoma WR Jaquaize Pettaway, Jr. (2024 backup; 16 career catches for 157 yards, 0 TDs; 4-star, top-100 HS prospect)
Towson DT Rion Roseborough, r-So. (2024 backup; from John Paul II Catholic HS in Greenville; 6-2, 315 pounds)
El Camino OG Leivi Semaia, Jr. (2024 1st-team all-conference; DNP 2022/2023; 6-4, 340 pounds)
Newberry OT Cooper Trnavsky, r-Sr. (2024 All-Piedmont Division/SAC; 2-year starter; 6-5, 295 pounds)
Houston S Teagan Wilk, r-Sr. (2024 backup; 13 career starts, all at ECU; originally played for Pirates from 2020-23)

North Carolina (19)

Delaware DE Melkart Abou-Jaoude, r-Jr., (2024 HM All-CAA; 49 career tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 8.5 sacks; 6-5, 260 pounds)
Prairie View A&M OL William Boone^, Jr. (2024 starter; also Kilgore JC; 6-6, 340 pounds)
Purdue QB Ryan Browne, r-So. (2024 backup; 2023 redshirt; 2 career starts; Florida Class 8A POY in HS; 6-4, 210 pounds)
Minnesota S Coleman Bryson, r-Jr. (2024 starter; 9 career starts; 54 career tackles, 4 PD, 1 INT; from Waynesville)
South Carolina TE Connor Cox, r-So. (2024 redshirt; 2023 backup; began prep career at Cardinal Gibbons HS in Raleigh)
Washington CB Thaddeus Dixon^, Ss. (2024 HM All-Big Ten; 69 career tackles, 18 PD, 2 INTs; also Long Beach CC 2021-22)
East Carolina LB/S Gavin Gibson, Sr. (2024 starter; also Maryland 2022-23; 84 career tackles, 11 TFL, 6 PD, 3 INTs, 1 FF)
Washington LB Khmori House, So. (2024 backup; 35 tackles, 4 PBU in 2024; played for Huskies’ DC Steve Belichick)
Michigan State WR Aziah Johnson, r-So. (2024 part-time starter; 16 career catches for 276 yards, 2 TDs)
Holy Cross OC/OG Christo Kelly, Gr. (2024/2023 1st-/3rd-team All-Patriot; 2-year starter; 6-4, 305 pounds)
Troy OG/OT Daniel King^, Gr. (2x 2nd-team All-Sun Belt; 3-year starter; 40 career starts; also Georgia Military JC; 6-5, 340 pounds)
Rice OG/OT Chad Lindberg, Gr. (2024 starter; 11 career starts; Georgia backup 2020-23; 6-6, 325 pounds)
Alabama LT Miles McVay, r-So. (2024 backup; 2023 redshirt; 6-6, 342 pounds)
East Carolina DT CJ Mims, r-Jr. (2024 backup; 37 career tackles, 6 TFLs; 6-0, 302 pounds)
Lake Erie PK Jaffer Murphy, r-Sr. (2024 1st-team All-GMAC; FG range from 60-plus; Drake/FGCU soccer player 2020-23)
Washington WR Jason Robinson Jr., r-Fr. (2024 redshirt; 3-star HS prospect from California; 5-10, 151 pounds)
Michigan PK Adam Samaha, r-So. (2024 redshirt; 2023 backup; elite HS prospect; also handles kickoffs)
Washington S Peyton Waters, So. (2024 backup; consensus 4-star HS prospect from California)
UConn DE Pryce Yates, Gr. (3-year starter; 26 career starts; 108 tackles, 30 TFL, 12.5 sacks, 3 FF; 6-4, 265 pounds)

NC State (10)

Utah State OT Teague Andersen, r-Jr. (2024 HM All-MWC; 2-year starter; 18 career starts; 6-5, 305 pounds)
Alabama LB Sterling Dixon, r-Fr. (2024 backup/redshirt; 4-star HS prospect from Alabama)
Purdue OC/OG Jalen Grant, Gr. (2024 backup/redshirt; 3-year starter at Bowling Green/Purdue; 39 career starts; 6-3, 285 pounds)
Elon TE Cody Hardy, Sr. (2024 starter; 17 career starts; 10 career catches for 63 yards, 1 TD)
Temple CB Jamel Johnson, Sr. (2024 starter; also Charleston Southern 2022-23; 47 tackles, 11 PD, 2 INTs, 1 FF in 2024)
Georgia State S Jeremiah Johnson^, Ss. (2023 HM All-Sun Belt; 2-year starter; 162 career tackles, 7 TFL, 7 PD, 2 INTs; also Mississippi Delta CC)
Norfolk State LB AJ Richardson, Jr. (2024/2023 1st-/2nd-team All-MEAC; 169 career tackles, 20.5 TFL, 5 sacks; from Kings Mountain HS)
Missouri CB Jaren Sensabaugh, r-Fr. (2024 redshirt; dad, Gerald, played at ETSU/UNC, in NFL; 3-star HS prospect from Tennessee)
North Carolina A&T OC/OG Brock Stukes, Jr. (2024 part-time starter; 6-3, 317 pounds)
Temple LB/DE Tra Thomas, r-Sr. (2024 starter; 12 career starts; also Independence CC; 6-4, 230 pounds)

Wake Forest (22)

Idaho DT Dallas Afalava, Jr. (2024 1st-team All-Big Sky; 30 tackles, 7 TFL, 4 sacks in 2024; 6-1, 290 pounds)
South Carolina QB Robby Ashford, r-Sr. (2024 backup; 11 career starts at Oregon/Auburn/SC; 160-309 career passing, 2,082 yards, 11 TDs, 9 INTs)
Washington State WR Chris Barnes, r-Fr. (2024 backup/redshirt; followed HC Jake Dickert; 5-7, 158 pounds)
Cincinnati WR Sterling Berkhalter, Gr. (2024 backup; 13 career starts at NC A&T 2021-22; 46 career catches, 667 yards, 3 TDs)
Washington State LB Frank Cusano, r-Fr. (2024 backup/redshirt; followed HC Jake Dickert; 6-1, 220 pounds)
Ohio OT Jacob Dennison, Gr. (2024 starter; 15 career starts; also Jacksonville State; 6-5, 299 pounds)
Washington State CB Jaylon Edmond, r-Fr. (2024 backup/redshirt; followed HC Jake Dickert; 5-9, 153 pounds)
Washington State OT Fa’alili Fa’amoe, r-Sr. (3-year starter; 26 career starts; followed HC Jake Dickert; 6-5, 314 pounds)
William & Mary CB Sascha Garcia, r-So. (2024 part-time starter; 5 career starts; 19 tackles, 11 PD; 6-2, 185 pounds)
Colorado State DE Nuer Gatkuoth, r-Jr. (2024 backup; 2023 starter; 10 career starts; 6-3, 235 pounds)
UConn LB/DE Langston Hardy, r-Jr. (2024 starter; 48 career tackles, 7 TFL, 3.5 sacks; 6-4, 250 pounds)
Washington State OL AJ Hasson, r-Fr. (2024 redshirt; followed HC Jake Dickert; 6-3, 289 pounds)
Washington State WR Carlos Hernandez, Jr. (2024 starter; followed HC Jake Dickert; 55 career catches, 655 yards, 5 TDs)
Colorado State DE Gabe Kirschke, r-Jr. (2024 HM All-MWC; 13 career starts; also Wisconsin 2022-23; 6-5, 245 pounds)
Washington State OC Devin Kylany, Gr. (2024 starter; 11 career starts; followed HC Jake Dickert; 6-5, 303 pounds)
Western Kentucky DT Jayden Loving, r-Sr. (2024 backup; also Bethune-Cookman 2021-22; 6-2, 308 pounds)
North Carolina A&T CB Karon Prunty, r-Sr. (2024 3rd-team All-CAA; 2020 HM All-Big 12 at Kansas; 4-year starter)
Charlotte QB DeShawn Purdie, So. (2024 part-time starter; 6 career starts; 100-200 career passing, 1,802 yards, 10 TDs, 6 INTs)
Montana WR Sawyer Racanelli, Gr. (2024 starter; 10 career starts; also Washington 2020-21; 40 career catches, 539 yards, 3 TDs)
Temple OT Melvin Siani, r-So. (2024 starter; 2023 redshirt; 11 career starts; 6-6, 300 pounds)
Washington State OG Rodrick Tialavea, r-Sr. (2024 starter; 12 career starts; 6-5, 321 pounds)
Virginia Union WR Reginald Vick Jr., r-Jr. (2024 1st-team All-CIAA; 48 catches, 1,164 yards, 12TDs in 2024; 6-3, 195 pounds)

^-recent NCAA waiver granted former junior college players extra season of eligibility