Updated as of 2/9/2026.
Welcome back for another offseason of craziness! This will be your one stop shop for comprehensive coverage of tracking all the Marshall Football portal movement for the 2025-2026 offseason. There is only one transfer portal window this year (January 2 – 16, 2026), as the spring transfer portal window has been erased by the NCAA. At The ThunderCast, we care about accuracy, not being the first to report something. We may know about a player entering the portal to transfer from Marshall, or a player transferring to Marshall, but until it is announced and confirmed it will not make this list.
Even though there is only one transfer portal window this offseason, players will be announcing their entries before and after the window is open. Why? Several reasons. Many will declare their intentions to enter the portal before it opens to get a head start on finding a new team and let their old team know they are moving on. Some players will have officially filed to enter the portal but may not announce it publicly until after the 1/16 deadline. [Updated 1/18/2026 to correct for new rule changes:] New for the 2026 year is graduate transfers are now bound by the same portal window as everyone else and may no longer transfer at any time. Players whose coach leaves after 1/2 now have a 15 day portal window from the date the coach leaves the program. And finally, players still playing in games after 1/12 have an additional five days after their final game. So you may see additional names enter after 1/16, although more rare.
Remember, players cannot transfer to a team until they are in the portal. So there will be many more players announcing they are transferring from Marshall before announcements of players coming in. It is the way this will always work!
“And with that being said. . .” here is your 2025-2026 Marshall Football Transfer Portal Tracker. This will be updated nearly daily at the beginning of the offseason, then shift to weekly as the announcements become less frequent. There are links to jump to the various sections like Players Transferring out from Marshall; Players Transferring in to Marshall; Players Who Entered the Portal and Withdrew, Remaining at Marshall; and whatever category keeps track of all the movement. The latest transactions will be at the top of each section, and once players start coming in to Marshall, that section will be moved to the top.
Jump to Players Transferring in to Marshall
Jump to Players Transferring out from Marshall
Jump to Players Who Entered the Portal and Withdrew, Remaining at Marshall
Players Transferring in to Marshall
Jorge Nicolas Diaz – 6’4″, 235 – Kicker – Virginia
Diaz was a redshirt for the 2025 season at Virginia and will be a freshman with four years of eligibility remaining. A large-sized Kicker originally from Madrid, Spain, Diaz was 15-19 on field goals his senior year of high school with a long of 53 yards. He also handled punting duties. Diaz had no social media announcement but was announced by Marshall as part of its National Signing Day event on 2/4/2026.
Chase Ortiz – 6’1, 201 – Longsnapper – Stetson
Ortiz played in 11 games for Stetson last season as a freshman. A former US Army All-American in high school, he has three years of eligibility remaining. Ortiz’ 1/20/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Terry Nwabuisi-Ezeala – 6’2”, 336 – Defensive Line – Vanderbilt
Nwabuisi-Exeala enrolled at North Carolina for spring 2025 but transferred to Vanderbilt for the 2025 season. Should have four years of eligibility remaining. Out of high school, Nwabuisi-Ezeala had offers from six ACC schools, Vanderbilt, Michigan State, and Kansas State amongst his offers. His 1/19/2026 announcement on Instagram is below.
Brayden Hall – 5’10”, 175 – Defensive Back – Central Connecticut State
Hall was a junior at Central Connecticut State in 2025 and recorded 51 tackles (29 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, and a Northeast Conference leading amongst cornerbacks 10 passes defended. He also returned 22 punts for 200 yards (9.1 avg) as the primary punt returner. Hall was 2nd team all-conference last season and gave up zero touchdowns at cornerback. He chose to transfer to Marshall over offers from UConn, UTEP, New Mexico State, Georgia State, and Toledo, and has one year of eligibility remaining. His 1/19/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Khalil Wilkins – 6’3″, 200 – Quarterback – WVU
Wilkins was a redshirt freshman for WVU in 2025 and went 16 – 36 for 185 yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions in six games. He netted 243 yards on 58 carries (4.2 avg) with 2 touchdowns on the ground. A dual threat quarterback, Wilkins was the 61st ranked quarterback in the country out of high school, with offers from WVU, Marshall, Pitt, Maryland, and Boston College. His 1/18/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Aumad Edwards – 5’9”, 168 – Wide Receiver – Kentucky
Edwards was a walk on at Kentucky for the 2025 season and had four years of eligibility remaining. His 1/17/2026 announcement on Instagram is below.
Christian Hamilton – 5’11”, 181 – Wide Receiver – WVU
Hamilton spent two seasons at North Carolina before transferring to WVU for the 2025 season. He had 3 catches for 20 yards last season. Out of high school, Hamilton’s offers as the 55th-ranked wide receiver in the country were a veritable “who’s who” across the SEC, ACC, Big 10, Big 12, and others. He has two years of eligibility remaining. Hamilton’s commitment confirmation by Marshall on Twitter on 1/15/2026 is below.
Jamarion Wilcox 5’10”, 191 – Running Back – Kentucky
Wilcox had a redshirt season in 2023 before rushing for 590 yards on 92 carries (6.4 avg) and 2 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman in 2024. He did not play in 2025. Out of high school, Wilcox was a top 50 ranked running back in the country and had offers from all over the SEC, Big 10, Big 12, ACC, and other conferences. The announcement of his commitment by Marshall on Twitter on 1/15/2026 is below.
Simeon John Jr. – 6’2″, 281 – Defensive Line – UVA Wise
John Jr. had 30 tackles (12) solo, 3 tackles for loss, and 1 pass defended in 10 games for UVA Wise last season. It is not clear how many years of eligibility he has remaining but he was listed as a sophomore last season so it is safe to say at least two years until his remaining eligibility is confirmed. His 1/14/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Terrenté “Renté” Hinton – 6’3”, 211 – Defensive Back – NC State
Hinton was at NC State the past three seasons but did not play in 2025. Had 13 tackles (5 solo), and 1 pass defended as a reserve, playing in 12 games on defense and all 13 on special teams. Had offers from Indiana and many fellow Sun Belt teams out of high school. Hinton should have one year of eligibility remaining. The 1/13/2026 announcement of his commitment by Marshall on Twitter is below.
Charles McCartherens – 5’11”, 185 – Defensive Back – Buffalo
McCartherens played in all 12 games for Buffalo as a true freshman in 2023, starting the final games of the season. He had 34 tackles (26 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, 3 passes defended and was second on the team with three interceptions that season. In 2024, he started 12 games, recording 35 tackles (25 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 4 passes defended, and 1 interception. McCartherens played in only four games in 2025, with 9 tackles (7 solo), 1 sack (also the lone tackle for loss), 1 forced fumble, and two passes defending. McCartherens redshirted for that 2025 season and will have two years of eligibility remaining. His 1/11/2026 commitment announcement on Twitter is below.
Jaquez Joiner – 6’4″, 285 – Offensive Line – UCF
Joiner was a freshman at UCF in 2025 and did not play so he has four years of eligibility remaining. He had an offer from Indiana as well as Marshall out of high school before signing with UCF. Joiner’s 1/10/2026 announcement on Instagram is below.
Mike Williams – 6’5″, 275 – Defensive Line – UTSA
Williams transferred to UTSA for the 2025 season after two years at Hutchison CC in Kansas. He did not play at UTSA and has two years of eligibility remaining. Out of High School, he was recruited by several of our fellow Sun Belt Conference teams amongst other offers nationally. Williams’ 1/10/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Keydel Painter – 6’6″, 245 – Defensive Line – Virginia Union
Painter will be a redshirt sophomore with at least two but possibly three years of eligibility remaining. He had no stats at Virginia Union. Painter’s 1/10/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Eddie Pleasant III – 5’11”, 185 – Defensive Back – Buffalo
Pleasant III was a freshman at Michigan State and was a redshirt before transferring to Buffalo the last two seasons. He appeared in all 12 games including one start as a redshirt freshman, recording 11 tackles (10 solo), with 5 passes defended. In 2025, he played in seven games with one tackle. Pleasant III mad his 1/10/2026 announcement on Instagram, which is below.
TJ Lester – 5’10”, 205 – Running Back – West Georgia
Lester rushed for 432 yards on 101 carries (4.3 avg) and 6 touchdowns last season for West Georgia. Out of high school, he had an offer from Indiana. Lester is the brother of 2026 Marshall defensive back commit Tristan Lester. He should have three years of eligibility remaining. His 1/8/2027 announcement on Twitter is below.
Robby Martin – 6’3″, 302 – Offensive Line – WVU
Martin is a former Huntington High standout that signed with NC State out of high school in 2024 and transferred to WVU for the 2025 season after redshirting his one year at NC State. Martin saw action in two games for WVU. Out of high school, the first-team all-state and number-one-ranked offensive lineman in the state had offers from 29 schools across the SEC, ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Sun Belt, and you get the picture. Martin was also the state wrestling champion at the 285 pound weight class. His 1/7/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Kendell Anderson – 6’4″, 210 – Defensive Back – Morgan State
Anderson has plenty of height and length while running a 4.58 in the 40 yard yard dash. He will have either two or three years of eligibility remaining depending on a JuCo waiver. Anderson saw action in 11 games for Morgan State in the 2025 season, recording 11 tackles (6 solo) with one pass deflection and a forced fumble. His 1/7/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Kelvon McBride – 6’3″, 227 – Linebacker – NC State
McBride appeared in every game as a redshirt freshman for NC State in 2024, including snaps on defense in 10 games. Only had four games with stats in 2025 so that could be a medical redshirt year, which is unclear at this time. His 1/6/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Chris Culliver – 6’2″, 195 – Wide Receiver – North Carolina
Culliver is a junior that should have two years to play, but possibly three. Though he had limited opportunities at UNC, he showed his speed and explosiveness with a 51 yard receiving TD in 2025 and had 2 return touchdowns in only 15 returns over the multiple seasons he was there. His 1/6/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Kenyatta Hardge – 6’0″, 295 – Defensive Line – Kentucky
Hardge was a freshman in 2024 for Kentucky but played in few enough games to redshirt. It appears that he did not appear in 2025 but it is unclear if he will have three or four years of eligibility remaining. Hardge was a preferred walk-on from Lexington Christian out of high school. His 16/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Cole Funderburk – 6’4″ 240 – Defensive Line – Wake Forest
Funderburk was a resdhirt for his freshman season at Wake Forest in 2025 so he has four years of eligibility remaining. He is an Edge/Defensive End. Out of high school, Funderburk also had offers from Indiana, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Memphis, and a few Sun Belt schools as a top 150 Edge recruit. His 1/6/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Bernard “BJ” Carter – 6’3″, 310 – Defensive Line – Iowa State
Carter was a redshirt in his freshman year at Iowa State last season and will have four years of eligibility remaining. Out of high school, he was a top 150 defensive lineman nationally for multiple recruiting sites. Amongst the offers he had were for Tony Gibson’s NC State, Marshall, WVU, and ECU. His 1/6/2026 announcement is below.
Jaquez “Ja” Keyes – 6’0″, 210 – Running Back – Northwest Mississippi CC
Keyes committed to Wake Forest out of Ironton, OH but ended up at Kentucky. After a redshirt for his 2023 season there, he transferred to Northwest Mississippi and saw action in all 12 games of 2024. Over a two year span at Northwest Mississippi, he had 128 carries for 594 yards (4.6 avg) and 3 touchdowns. His 1/5/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Owen Sweeney – 6’4”, 200 – Wide Receiver – VMI
Sweeney had 44 receptions for 723 yards (16.4 avg) and a team-leading 8 TDs at VMI in his first full year in 2025. He played in only three games as a freshman in 2024 before getting injured. He was the second leading receiver in catches and yards for the Keydets, and was a major part of their passing game, having 23.4% of their catches and 30.2% of their receiving yards. The 2025 FCS Freshman All-American had three years of eligibility remaining. Sweeney had receptions of 75 (twice), 55, 52, and 38 yards as he was a deep threat or chunk play receiver. His 1/5/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Xavier Bausley – 6’4″, 310 – Offensive Line – WVU
Bausley is a former South Charleston High School offensive lineman that originally committed to Youngstown State out of high school He transferred to Jacksonville State, where he remained for two years and was named to the CUSA All-Freshman Team He transferred to WVU for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Bausley’s 1/5/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Logan Greer – 6’3″, 290 – Offensive Line – California University (PA)
Greer rejoins his former Offensive Line Coach Bob McClain from California University of Pennsylvania. He was a redshirt freshman in 2024 and appeared in one game for the Vulcans. In 2025 he was all-conference in the PSAC. According to his Twitter profile, he has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Greer’s 12/23/2025 announcement on Twitter is below.
Players Transferring out from Marshall
Aden “AD” Willis – Defensive Back
Willis was a redshirt freshman for Marshall in 2025, and has three years of eligibility remaining. He had no stats and may not have appeared in any games. His 1/18/2026 announcement on Twitter is below.
Gavin Magorien – Longsnapper
Magorien played all 12 games as a freshman for Marshall in 2025. Though longsnappers rarely have stats to show, Magorien received a pass for a 12 yard first down from punter Nathan Totten on a fourth down fake. He did not announce his entry into the transfer portal, so his retweet of his 1/15/2026 commitment to Michigan is below.
KaTron Evans – Defensive Line
Evans transferred to Marshall for the 2025 season from Charlotte. He had 12 tackles (5 solo) and 1.5 tackles for loss for Marshall last season. Evans is currently petitioning the NCAA for one final year of eligibility. His 1/15/2026 announcement on Twitter is below. Committed to NC State in 1/20/2026.
Darrell Sweeting – Defensive Back
Sweeting transferred to Marshall from Maryland for the 2025 season. He played his way into the starting lineup for the second half of the season, with five starts at cornerback. Sweeting has 37 tackles (22 solo), with 1 sack for his 1 tackle for loss, and 1 interception. The ThunderCast’s 1/9/2026 announcement on Twitter is below. Committed to UAB on 1/10/2026.
Nathan Totten – Punter
Totten played two years at Marshall after committing to Marshall out of high school from Ashland, KY. In 2024, he filled in as kicker for field goals on occasion when the starter was out, and also handled punting kickoff duties at times. Transitioning to full-time punter for the 2025 season, Totten flourished with a Marshall record 45.6 yards per punt. He will have two years of eligibility remaining. The 1/8/2026 announcement on Twitter is below, as well as his commitment to Virginia Tech on the same day.
Lorcan Quinn – Kicker
Quinn was not only new to Marshall in 2025, he was new to American Football. The true freshman from Ireland ended up setting several records as a Kicker for Marshall, including but not limited to: most field goals made in a season (21); most 50+ yard field goals in a career (4); most consecutive games of 2+ field goals per game (5). He was also amongst the national leaders in kickoff touchback percentage and average yards per kickoff. To say he was a weapon is an understatement. Quinn has three years of eligibility remaining. His 1/8/2026 announcement on Twitter is below. Committed to Alabama on 1/12/2026.
Sid Kaba – Defensive Line
Kaba transferred to Marshall for the 2025 season from Western Michigan. He had 18 tackles (6 solo), half a sack, and 3 tackles for loss for Marshall in 2025. Kaba had been in the portal for several days but had not yet posted a confirmation. His agent has now posted about interest and visits which Kaba has retweeted, such as this retweet below. Committed to Minnesota on 1/11/2026.
Jamaal Whyce – Defensive Line
Whyce transferred to Marshall for the 2025 season and finished with 33 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. He had been in the portal for several days but there was no confirmation to provide until it was reported that he was committed elsewhere. His commitment to Baylor on 1/7/2026 is below.
Jibreel Al-Amin – Linebacker
Al-Amin transferred to Marshall for the 2025 season and was fifth on the team in tackles with 56 (30 solo). He also had 3 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss with a forced fumble. Al-Amin had previously announced that he would return to Marshall for another year. His 1/5/2026 Twitter announcement is via his agent as reported by Pete Nakos. Committed to Kansas on 1/9/2026.
Jacqai Long – Quarterback
Long won the starting job against Georgia as a redshirt freshman this season but ended up with the third-most snaps among the three Quarterbacks at season’s end. He had been touted as “the future of The Herd” behind Center by the current coaching staff prior to the 2025 season. Long ended up going 6-18 with 31 yards and 0 TDs through the air and 38 yards on 15 carries and 1 TD on the ground. He has three years of eligibility remaining. His 1/3/2026 announcement on Twitter is below. Committed to Kentucky on 1/11/2026.
Naquan Crowder – Defensive Line
Crowder transferred to Marshall from California University of Pennsylvania for the 2025 season. He started two games in 11 appearances for Marshall and recorded 26 tackles, 1 sack, and 3 tackles for loss. Crowder has two years of eligibility remaining. His announcement of officially entering the transfer portal on Twitter on 1/2/2026 is below. Committed to Minnesota on 1/5/2026.
Henry Harden – Offensive Line
Harden was not on the two deep roster along the offensive line as a junior. He has two years of eligibility remaining. His announcement of officially entering the portal on Twitter is below.
Jaydyn Johnson – Linebacker
Johnson transferred back to Marshall for the 2025 season from Lindenwood where he was at for two seasons. Prior to that, the former Cabell Midland player had spent his first years at Marshall. Johnson recorded four tackles on the year, all solo, with three coming against Georgia the first game of the year. His 12/27/2025 announcement on Twitter is below. Confirmed entry in the portal on 1/2/2026.
Ali Abbasi – Defensive Line
Abbasi transferred to Marshall for the 2025 season from Roosevelt University. He had no stats for the season, and reports that he has one season of eligibility remaining. Abbasi’s 12/24/2025 announcement on Twitter is below. Confirmed entry in the portal on 1/3/2026. Committed to Robert Morris on 2/4/2026.
Paul Hutson III – Defensive Line
Hutson III transferred to Marshall from Campbell for the 2025 season after also spending a season at Austin Peay. He amassed 40 total tackles (13 solo) with 4.0 sacks and seven Tackles for Loss. He also had two INTs as a Defensive Lineman, taking one back for a Touchdown. Hutson III should have one season of eligibility remaining. His repost of the report of his agents announcing his portal entry on 12/23/2025 on Twitter is below. Confirmed entry in the portal on 1/3/2026. Committed to Washington Sate on 1/12/2026.
Christian Richter – Offensive Line
Richter spent the last two years at Marshall after transferring from Lehigh. He appeared in six games in 2024–primarily on special teams–and eight games in 2025 including five starts at Right Tackle. Richter has either one or two seasons of eligibility remaining, depending on an NCAA ruling. His 12/18/2025 announcement on Twitter is below. Confirmed entry in the portal on 1/2/2026. Committed to UConn on 1/11/2026.
KJ Jones – Wide Receiver
Jones is a wide receiver from Beckley, WV that has no stats during his time at Marshall. Originally signing with The Herd prior to the 2023 season as a JuCo transfer, he has two seasons of eligibility remaining. His 12/18/2025 announcement on Twitter is below. Confirmed entry in the portal on 1/2/2026. Committed to Southern Utah on 2/4/2026.
Randy Young – Running Back
Young transferred to Marshall just prior to the 2023 season from College of DuPage. He had zero carries as a member of the Thundering Herd, but did see action on special teams in the 2023 Frisco Bowl. Young entered the portal following the 2025 Spring Game, but has now announced his re-entry while not being on the 2025 roster. It is unclear if he was totally off the roster in 2025 or was on the practice squad. His 12/12/2025 announcement on Twitter is below. Young retweeted his April 2025 official portal entry on 1/2/2026 as it is still valid, and also posted an updated message to Marshall fans and the team which is also below. Committed to Gardner Webb on 1/9/2026.
Justin Williams-Thomas – Running Back
Williams-Thomas transferred to Marshall for the 2025 season after stops at Cal and Tennessee. He had 35 carries for 197 yards (5.6 avg) and 2 TDs while also catching 3 passes for 41 yards (13.7 avg) and another TD. Williams-Thomas enters the portal as graduate transfer and two years of eligibility remaining. His 12/7/2025 announcement is below. Confirmed entry in the portal on 1/2/2026. Committed to UMass on 1/23/2026.
Brock Walters – Long Snapper
Walters transferred to Marshall for the 2025 season from ODU. He has multiple years of eligibility remaining. His 12/6/25 announcement on Twitter is listed below. Confirmed entry in the portal on 1/2/2026. Committed to Kennesaw State on 1/21/2026.
Michael Allen – Running Back
Allen transferred to Marshall for the 2025 season after multiple years at NC State and a partial season at UNLV. For The Herd, he had 77 carries for 385 (5.0 avg) yards and 4 TDs. Through the air, he added 12 receptions for 139 yards (11.6) and another score. He enters the portal as a graduate transfer with one year remaining. His 12/4/2025 announcement on Twitter is below. Confirmed entry in the portal on 1/2/2026. Committed to ECU on 1/8/2026.
Antwan Roberts – Running Back
Roberts rushed 90 times for 512 yards (5.7 avg) and for TDs in 2025 after missing all of 2024 with an injury. He added 7 receptions for 58 yard (8.3 avg) in the passing game. His breakout games were in back to back weeks as he rushed for 134 yards at Coastal Carolina and followed it with 121 yards against JMU. Roberts made his announcement on Twitter on 12/2/2025, which is below. Confirmed entry in the portal on 1/2/2026. Committed to Arizona on 1/14/2026.
Updated as of 2/9/2026
