College football's transfer portal closed on Jan. 16, but the comings and goings haven't stopped.
Players had to enter the portal between Jan. 2 and Jan. 16, though they don't have to chose their destination during that period. It is the only window for college football this offseason. The NCAA did away with the post-spring portal window.
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Frequent movement has become a staple of the sport. More than 6,500 Division I players have entered the portal and more than 1,000 are still without a home, according to ESPN.
UNC has announced the addition of 18 players, NC State added 12 to its roster and Duke has signed 13 transfers during the window.
Updated: Feb. 17
North Carolina
Re-signed
In college football's new era, schools are announcing that players have re-signed with the program. UNC is announcing those returns on X.
Among the Tar Heels committed to return are wide receiver Jordan Shipp and defensive lineman Melkart Abou Jaoude. UNC announced on Jan. 2 that running back Demon June, defensive back Kaleb Cost, defensive lineman Leroy Jackson and defensive back Jaiden Patterson have re-signed for the 2026 season. June led UNC in rushing with 464 yards. UNC announced that defensive lineman Isaiah Johnson has re-signed on Jan. 11 and that defensive back Greg Smith III re-signed on Jan. 16.
Incoming transfers
UNC announced the signings of:
Western Carolina QB Taron Dickens (Class in 2026: junior): Dickens passed for 3,508 yards and 38 touchdowns (and two interceptions) for the Catamounts in 2025. He completed 74.2% of his passes. Dickens threw for 1,428 yards and 12 touchdowns in four full games (seven appearances) in 2025. Dickens was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given to the nation's top player in the FCS. He is the third transfer quarterback that UNC added in the offseason.
West Virginia OL Brandon Homady (Class in 2026: sophomore)
LSU RB Kaleb Jackson (Class in 2026: Junior)
Arkansas OL JacQawn McRoy (Class in 2026: sophomore)
Texas TE Jordan Washington (Class in 2026: sophomore)
Ohio State TE Jelani Thurman (Class in 2026: junior)
Penn State DL Jaylen Harvey (Class in 2026: sophomore)
Richmond DL Donovan Hoilette Jr. (Class in 2026: senior)
Wisconsin WR Trech Kekahuna (Class in 2026: junior)
Clemson offensive lineman Rowan Byrne (Class in 2026: freshman)
Syracuse linebacker Derek McDonald (Class in 2026: senior)
Lehigh wide receiver Mason Humphrey (Class in 2026: senior)
LSU kicker Aeron Burrell (Class in 2026: junior)
Texas A&M quarterback Miles O'Neill (Class in 2026: sophomore)
Wisconsin QB Billy Edwards Jr. (Class in 2026: senior)
Richmond linebacker Peyton Seelmann (Class in 2026: junior)
Michigan State defensive back Ade Willie (Class in 2026: senior)
Florida defensive end Tarvorise Brown (Class in 2026: junior)
Charleston Southern offensive linemen Andrew Threatt (Class in 2026: senior)
Colorado State tight end Jaxxon Warren (Class in 2026: junior)
Outgoing transfers
LB Mikai Gbayor: Gbayor, who transferred from Missouri, had 39 tackles in 12 games for UNC. Gbayor committed to Florida State.
DL D'Antre Robinson: Robinson played in 12 games for UNC in 2025, his lone season in the program after transferring from Florida. Robinson had 38 tackles, including 2.5 for loss.
DL CJ Mims: Mims, a transfer from ECU, had 42 tackles and two sacks in 2025.
Guytano Bartolomeo will leave UNC after a single season without having played a down. The kicker from New Jersey's Bergen Catholic will enter the portal with four years of eligibility. (Jan. 7)
QB Gio Lopez: Gio Lopez initially planned to return to Chapel Hill. He will transfer to Wake Forest, according to a post on X from the team's official account. Wake Forest's offensive coordinator Rob Ezell was the South Alabama offensive coordinator when Lopez had a breakout season in 2024. UNC and Wake Forest are not scheduled to play in the 2026 regular season. (Jan. 7)
TE Connor Cox: Cox, a transfer from South Carolina, had five catches for 21 yards. He was a key part of the run game. (Jan. 5)
LB Chinedu Onyeagoro: Onyeagoro didn't play for the Tar Heels as a true freshman in 2025. He was listed on the injury report for much of the middle part of the season. 247 Sports reported he is entering the portal. (Dec. 23)
QB Bryce Baker: Baker, who played at East Forsyth High, committed to the Tar Heels when Mack Brown was the coach and recommitted when Bill Belichick took over. UNC even introduced him during a men's basketball game with Belichick. But Baker, a four-star prospect, didn't see any game action as a true freshman and was passed on the depth chart by less heralded true freshman Au'Tori Newkirk, who saw action in two games. On3 first reported that Baker will enter the transfer portal. (Dec. 22)
WR Alex Taylor: Taylor, from Greensboro, had three catches for 27 yards in 2025. He had one catch for 15 yards in 2024. Taylor played in 11 games over two seasons. (Dec. 21)
DL Devin Ancrum: A freshman from Georgia, Ancrum played in one game for UNC in 2025. (Dec. 19)
DL Tyler Thompson: Thompson, who is from Cary, had a breakout season in 2025, his third year in the UNC program. Thompson had 26 tackles, including seven sacks, in 12 games. He entered the season with seven tackles in his first two seasons. (Dec. 17).
DB Malcolm Ziglar: A sophomore from Fuquay-Varina, Ziglar appeared in 10 games in 2025 and had five tackles and one interception. He played in 12 games in 2024. (Dec. 15)
TE Jordan Owens: Owens declared for the NFL Draft. He played in 12 games in 2025, his lone season in Chapel Hill. Owens had six catches for 39 yards and one touchdown. (Dec. 11)
TE Jake Johnson: Johnson played 25 games for UNC over the last two seasons. He had 16 catches for 149 yards and one touchdown in 2025. (Dec. 9)
RB Davion Gause: Gause had 259 yards rushing and three rushing touchdowns for the Tar Heels in 2025. He announced his decision to transfer on Instagram. (Dec. 5).
OL Miles McVay: McVay played in seven games for UNC in 2025. (Dec. 5)
QB Max Johnson: Johnson, the Tar Heels' backup quarterback, is expected to enter the transfer portal, according to On3. Johnson was the team's starter in 2024, but broke his leg in the season-opener against Minnesota. He started one game in 2025. (Dec. 5)
WR Javarius Green: Green, who graduated in two years, played in 11 games this season. He had 13 catches for 150 yards. (Dec. 5)
DB Ty White: White played in the first four games of the season, recording three tackles. (Dec. 4)
OL Jani Norwood: Norwood was a redshirt freshman who played in the last two games of the season. (Dec. 4)
LB Khmori House: House, a transfer from Washington, started all 12 games for the Tar Heels. He led the team with 78 tackles. House announced on X that he'd transfer to Arkansas.
WR Chris Culliver: Culliver played in six games in 2025 after appearing in 24 games in 2023 and 2024. He had five catches for 100 yards this season. He will attend Marshall. (Nov. 30)
WR Jason Robinson, Jr.: Robinson didn’t play for the Tar Heels in 2025. He transferred from Washington where he redshirted in 2024. (Nov. 30)
OL William Boone: Boone started the first three games of the season before suffering an injury. Boone left the team at midseason. (Nov. 25)
WR Paul Billups: Billups left the team during the season. (Dec. 1)
TE Yasir Smith, OL Trevyon Green and WR Aziah Johnson left the team during the season.
NC State
NC State has added the following transfers to its roster:
WR Davion Dozier (App. State), redshirt junior
DL KaTron Evans (Marshall), graduate student
LB Da'Karri Nelson (Penn State), redshirt junior
DB Ty White (North Carolina): White was a four-star recruit out of Georgia. He played in four games for the Tar Heels in 2025 and had three tackles. He's a redshirt sophomore.
OL Daniel Cruz (Texas), redshirt sophomore
WR Tyran Warren (Alcorn State), senior
DL Harvey Dyson (Tulane), redshirt senior
RB Davion Gause (North Carolina): Gause played in 24 games over the last two seasons at UNC. He rushed for 585 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024 and 2025. He had 20 receptions and two touchdowns as well.
TE Hunter Provience (Montana State), redshirt junior
WR Chance Robinson (Miami), redshirt sophomore
S King Mack (Penn State), senior
CB Ondre Evans (Georgia), redshirt sophomore
P Jackson Waller (Arkansas State), redshirt sophomore
OL Jimarion McCrimon (East Carolina), redshirt junior
WR Victor Snow (Buffalo), redshirt senior
Staying:
QB CJ Bailey announced on his Instagram that he will be "back with the Pack" for the 2026 season. He posted the graphic on Friday afternoon. (Jan. 2)
Outgoing transfers:
DL Blair Alexander: Alexander, from Cary, was a redshirt junior. He had no stats for the Wolfpack.
CB Rente Hinton: Committed to Marshall
LB Kenny Soares: Committed to Michigan State
LB Terris Dudley: Committed to UConn
DL Odera Orizu: Committed to UConn
OT Jacarrius Peak is one of the top offensive lineman in the portal. Peak, who started every game at left tackle, was an honorable mention All-ACC performer in 2025. (Committed to South Carolina)
On3 reported that WR Noah Rogers, a Rolesville High School grad who played for Ohio State then spent the last two seasons with the Wolfpack, plans to enter the portal. (Committed to Alabama)
WR Terrell Anderson: Anderson had 39 receptions for 629 yards and five touchdowns during his sophomore season. He was a prized recruit coming out of Grimsley High School in Greensboro. (Dec. 24; Committed to Southern Cal)
LB Elijah Groves: Groves, a four-star recruit, redshirted in 2024 and didn't play in 2025. (Dec. 22)
WR Tank Boston: Boston played in one game in 2024 and three games in 2025. He had two receptions for 11 yards against Campbell.(Dec. 21)
RB Hollywood Smothers: Smothers was a first-team All-ACC selection after rushing for 939 yards and six touchdowns and catching 37 passes for 189 yards in 2025. Smothers transferred to NC State from Oklahoma before the 2024 season. He rushed for 571 yards and six touchdowns in 2024, emerging as the team's top back late in the season. Smothers is from Charlotte. On3 and CBS Sports reported Smothers plans to enter the portal. His status for NC State's bowl game is uncertain, though head coach Dave Doeren said last week that "if a guy's in the portal, he's not all in on helping you win." (Dec. 18, Committed to Alabama, then committed to Texas)
DL Josh Alexander-Felton: Alexander-Felton didn't see any game action in 2025.
DL Justin Terrell: Terrell didn't seen any game action in 2025. He played in three games in 2024. (Dec. 17)
OL Val Erickson: A reserve offensive lineman who played in seven games, Erickson transferred to NC State from Missouri before the 2024 season. (Dec. 9, committed to Liberty)
Duke
Duke football is tracking in-coming players and those committed to stay with the Blue Devils on X.
Incoming transfers:
Duke announced the following signees:
CB Evan Smith from Northwestern: Smith played 31 games for Northwestern over the past four seasons. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
DB Che Ojarikre from Stanford: Ojarikre played 23 games for Stanford over the past three years. He missed the 2024 season with injury. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
DE Dakota Quinonez from Dartmouth. Quinonez played 23 games for Dartmouth over the last four seasons. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
WR Javen Nicholas from Charlotte. Nicholas played in 26 games with LSU and 12 with Charlotte. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
OL Braden Miller from Cal. He played in three games with Michigan State and 19 games with Cal. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
RB CJ Campbell Jr. from Rutgers. He played in 17 games for Florida State, 12 games for Florida Atlantic and three for Rutgers. Campbell will have one season of eligibility remaining.
QB Ari Patu will transfer from Northern Alabama, where he was the 2025 starter with a QB rating of 105.5.
S Patrick Smith-Young from North Texas. He played 39 games in his career at North Texas (29) and Old Dominion (10). He has one season of eligibility remaining.
DT Owen Wafle from Penn State. Wafle played nine games for Penn State in 2025 after being on Michigan's roster in 2024. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
OL Nick Del Grande from Coastal Carolina. He played 35 games (all start) for Coastal. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
WR Jared Richardson from Penn. Richardson was a 2025 FBS All-America. He led the Ivy League with 80 receptions for 1,033 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
CB Kyon Loud from Montana. He played in 20 games for Montana over the past two years. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
DB Dylan Flowers from Western Kentucky. Flowers played in 35 games at Western Kentucky, College of the Canyons, BYU and Southern Utah. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
TE Nate Kurisky from Louisville. Kurisky played 38 games for Louisville over the past four seasons. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
As of Jan. 12, Duke hasn't announced expected signee linebacker Jon Morris (UConn).
Staying:
TE Jeremiah Hasley: Hasley had a breakout season for the Blue Devils, particularly down the stretch.
Outgoing transfers:
WR Cooper Barkate: Barkate led Duke in receptions (72), yards (1,106) and receiving touchdowns (seven) in 2025, his lone season at Duke after transferring from Harvard.
QB Darian Mensah: In a shocking move, Mensah announced he was entering the transfer portal on the final day of the window.
QB Henry Belin IV: Belin committed to Missouri State, according to ESPN. Belin played in 14 games across four seasons at Duke. He was pressed into starting duty in 2023 due to injuries and started the Blue Devils' 2024 bowl game.
S Ma'Khi Jones: Jones played in 14 games and had 35 tackles as a true freshman in 2025. He has committed to Florida State. (Jan. 13)
DL Desmond Aladuge
S Terry Moore: Moore missed the 2025 season with a knee injury. He had 116 tackles in three previous. He committed to Ohio State. (Jan. 12)
Cornerback Moussa Kane wrote, "Duke will always be a part of my story," in annoucing he would leave the team. Kane was a Dave Elko recruit who played in parts of three seasons and earned 17 tackles.
WR Que’Sean Brown: Brown, who had 105 receptions for 1,291 yards and seven touchdowns over two seasons, will leave the Blue Devils with two years of eligibility remaining. Brown committed to Virginia Tech.
WR Chase Tyler: Tyler had four catches for 120 yards for Duke in 2025. (committed to Wake Forest)
TE Vance Bolyard
DB Kenzy Paul: Paul spent four seasons in the Duke program. He played in ne game in 2022 and one game in 2023. He didn't play in 2024 and didn't record any stats in 2025. He wrote on social media that he has two years of eligibility remaining. (Dec. 19)
RB Peyton Jones: Jones played in 26 games in 2023 and 2024, but just four games this season for the Blue Devils. Jones rushed for 422 yards and five touchdowns in his career. (Dec. 9)
S Maliki Wright: A freshman safety, Wright joined the team this year. (Dec. 11)
CB Vontae Floyd: Floyd played in three games in 2025 after appearing in 11 in 2024. (Dec. 11)
