Following a tumultuous season that saw the football team finish fifth in the Patriot League, the Leopards will undergo a significant roster turnover as nine former Leopards have entered the transfer portal.
According to head coach John Troxell, increased opportunities for players to make money at the FBS level have contributed to this year’s transfer class being larger than in his previous two years at the helm.
“Agents becoming more active in communicating with players gives them an enticing opportunity to leave and chase money or a higher level,” Troxell said. “We lost more guys than we lost probably in the first two years combined.”
Five players have announced their commitments to their new schools. Junior defensive back Trey Watkins is transferring to Long Island University after appearing in only one game during the 2024 season. Sophomore defensive lineman De’Marion McCoy, who played in 20 games across his two seasons at Lafayette, will suit up for Morgan State University next season.
Sophomore quarterback Tray Mauney announced that he is transferring to Division II Anderson University. Mauney saw action in three games this past season, most noticeably against Stonehill when he rushed for his first collegiate touchdown. Junior defensive lineman Tyree Morris will be making the jump to the FBS level, transferring to Utah State University.
However, perhaps the most impactful outgoing transfer is the loss of the Leopards’ most consistent offensive option, junior running back Jamar Curtis. Curtis announced his commitment to Sacramento State University in December.
“My ultimate goal is to become a pro,” Curtis said. “I know you could do that from Lafayette. I’ve got a better chance of reaching my potential and our goals from where I’m at now.”
Curtis was the back-to-back Patriot League rushing leader and two-time All-Patriot League First Team selection during his tenure at Lafayette.
“My position coach, my OC, they want to see me be great and they stay on my tail,” Curtis said. “That’s what I need right now at this point in my career.”
Thousands of NCAA athletes enter the transfer portal each year in hopes of finding a new environment that complements their current needs. The popularization of name, image and likeness financial incentives has led to a recent increase in portal transfers across all divisions. Other athletes leave for an increase in playing time and academic reasons.
Curtis advises all athletes who are considering the transfer portal as an option to “go where you’re wanted.”
“A lot of coaches in this business are not really genuine,” Curtis said. “Go somewhere where you’re wanted and the coaches will want to see you do good and succeed.”
Despite the hit to the roster, Troxell is confident that the team’s style of play will remain the same going forward.
“I think we’re just in a new world of college football,” Troxell said. “It gives somebody who’s here a chance to be just as productive as someone who left. There’s a quote, ‘How do you replace a legend? You become one.’”
Four other former Leopards with eligibility remain unsigned in the transfer portal. Sophomore running back Troy Bruce, junior defensive back Tony Harris, sophomore wide receiver Savion McKinnon and freshman linebacker Garrison Cockrell all have at least two years remaining.
The Leopards also managed to ink two transfers during the early signing period in December. Sophomore linebacker Callahan Blair is coming in from Vanderbilt University, retaining all four years of eligibility after not seeing in-game action for the Southeastern Conference school. Junior quarterback Daniel Lipovski is coming over from the University of Delaware, where he appeared in three games across two seasons for the Blue Hens.
“I think they were both looking for a place where they could compete and get on the field earlier than maybe what was in the plans for them where they were at,” Troxell said. “It’s hard to get a transfer here because they also got to have curriculum that matches the curriculum of our college, so when you talk about the portal and us being able to be active in it, it’s for really select kids.”
