Tag: Elon football

UNC football offers in-state defensive tackle on first day of transfer portal opening

The UNC football team’s first transfer portal offer went to an in-state defensive lineman.

If there’s one area the North Carolina Tar Heels will be particularly thin at next football season, it’s defensive line.

UNC currently has seniors Des Evans, Jahvaree Ritzie and Jacolbe Cowan, plus graduate students Kevin Hester and Joshua Harris. Kaimon Rucker, a star edge rusher for North Carolina, is also a senior.

To address this future hole, the Tar Heels made a smart move on Monday, December 9 when the transfer portal officially opened.

UNC offered in-state defensive lineman Kahmari Brown, who just wrapped up his freshman season at Elon University. Brown finished second on the Phoenix with 4.5 sacks and nine tackles, helping them to a 6-6 record.

If Brown chose to continue his career as a Tar Heel, he’d only be playing 45 minutes away from Elon. Brown is also a North Carolina native, hailing from Jacksonville, where he won All-Conference honors each season from 2021-2023.

Though UNC’s defense continued allowing opponents to walk all over them, it was able to generate a significant increase in pressure under new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins.

Ritzie was one of the Tar Heels’ greatest early-season surprises, recording five sacks in his first two games. Ritzie, Amare Campbell and Beau Atkinson all generated 6.5 sacks apiece, while Rucker (six), Evans (five) and Hester (3.5) also recorded multiple sacks.

As mentioned before, North Carolina won’t have a lot of returners on its defensive line in 2025. I also imagine Brown isn’t the only defensive lineman UNC targets in the portal, but he would be a great get early in the transfer portal process.

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Wisconsin offers accomplished FCS transfer defensive end

Wisconsin offers accomplished FCS transfer defensive end

Wisconsin extended an offer to Elon transfer defensive end Cazeem Moore on Monday.

Moore becomes Wisconsin’s fourth transfer offer since the portal officially opened on Dec. 9, joining Richmond safety Matthew Traynor, Miami (OH) cornerback Raion Strader and Louisville edge rusher Mason Reiger.

The interest surrounding Moore is significant. Wisconsin, USC, California, San Diego State, Oklahoma State, Kentucky, Coastal Carolina, USF, Virginia, Texas Tech, Cincinnati and Memphis all extended offers to the talented defender on Monday.

The 6-foot-5, 255-pound edge rusher announced his intention to enter the portal on Nov. 25 after three years with the Phoenix. The junior followed his 31-tackle, three-sack 2023 season with 51 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, six sacks and three forced fumbles in 2024. The stellar output earned him a spot on the All-Coastal Athletic Association Second Team.

Wisconsin has now pinpointed both Moore and Reiger as playmakers who could help bolster the position. The 2024 starting combination of Darryl Peterson, Leon Lowery, John Pius and Aaron Witt combined for only 4.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

Peterson recently announced his plans for another year in Madison, but Pius (eligibility) and Lowery (transfer portal) will not return. Alongside cornerback, defensive pass-rusher is a top priority for the Badgers.

In his career at Elon, Moore has accumulated 106 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 13 sacks from 2022-24. He would become an immediate contributor on Wisconsin’s defensive line if the Badgers can land his commitment.

James Madison vs Elon Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

James Madison Dukes vs Elon Phoenix prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

James Madison Dukes vs Elon Phoenix prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

James Madison vs Elon Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 6
Game Time: 1:30 ET
Venue: Rhodes Stadium, Elon, NC
Network: FloFootball

[jwplayer L6H3dgqL]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

James Madison (2-0) vs Elon (1-1) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why James Madison Will Win

The nation’s No. 1 FCS team hasn’t been perfect and yet it’s still been able to move up to the stop spot. It hasn’t played a killer team so far in the 2-0 start, but it might have worked out the kinks. On the plus side, it had two tune-ups to get ready for the season to really kick in.

The Dukes have rumbled at will with the ground game and have been a brick wall defensively, allowing just 16 net rushing yards in the first two games.

Elon was great in the opener against Davidson, but followed it up with a rough defensive day against Gardner-Webb, who was able to own the line and generate a solid day of offensive balance in the 42-20 win.

As long as JMU doesn’t make any big mistakes, this should be a walk in the park, but …

Why Elon Will Win

JMU is making a few mistakes.

There was a lost fumble in the opener, and then three picks coming from Cole Johnson in last week’s 36-16 win over Robert Morris – it should’ve been a far bigger blowout.

For all of Elon’s issues against Gardner-Webb, it came up with three picks. The Phoenix might have blown a 17-0 lead, but at least they were able to get there. If they can somehow get the offense going in the second half, they have might keep this close unless JMU is sharp.

What’s Going To Happen

JMU doesn’t have to be razor sharp. It’s going to run the ball effectively and dominate on the lines. The O line has to be better in pass protection, but the defensive front will be a rock against the run as the No. 1 team starts to play the part.

James Madison vs Elon Prediction, Line

James Madison 41, Elon 17
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: James Madison -21.5, o/u: 47

Must See Rating: 2

5: Beavis & Butt-Head are making a movie
1: Tom & Jerry

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Elon vs Gardner-Webb Prediction, Game Preview: FCS Spring Football

Elon Phoenix vs Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Elon Phoenix vs Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs prediction and FCS spring football game preview.

Elon vs Gardner-Webb Broadcast

Date: Saturday, February 27
Game Time: 3:00 ET
Venue: Ernest W Spangler Stadium, Boiling Springs, NC
Network: ESPN+

[jwplayer qCq1wvUC]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Elon (1-0) vs Gardner-Webb (0-0) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on the NFL, go to BetMGM

Why Elon Will Win

The Phoenix were able to get a game under their belt with a good 26-23 win over Davidson. They were down, they were getting run in the second quarter, and they were able to keep the scoring going with a running game that averaged seven yards per carry.

It’s the first game of the year for Gardner-Webb, and 2019 is forever ago, but the Runnin’ Bulldogs couldn’t slow down the run. Elon quarterback Joey Baughman might not be the main man, but he showed ht could be steady – he hit 18-of-22 passes for 173 yards and a score – and he ran for 73 yards and a touchdown.

Just assume the Phoenix will hit 200 rushing yards.

Why Gardner-Webb Will Win

Yeah, 2019 was a few years ago, and there’s real hope for the defense to be a bit stronger around LB Cade Hamilton and DT Janathian Turner. It’s not going to be a rock, but it shouldn’t be a total pushover.

The key to the Runnin’ Bulldogs is their passing game, starting around the receiving pair of Izaiah Gathings and Devron Harper. The weapons are there, but as long as the team can control the ball and the clock, they’ll be in it.

That’s not going to be Gardner-Webb’s style – the Air Raid is going to be more about getting the quick passing attack going – but Elon never had the ball against Davidson, getting blasted in the time of possession battle.

What’s Going To Happen

It’s going to be a work in progress for Gardner-Webb.

It has the coaching staff under new head man Tre Lamb, and it has a potentially fun, high-powered offense, but will it come together right away?

Elon will be a bit sharper and more balanced offensively as Gardner-Webb throws a ton of passes that don’t go anywhere. It’ll be a fun game with a whole lot of interesting things happening for both attacks.

Elon vs Gardner Webb Prediction, Line

Elon 31, Gardner-Webb 17
Bet on college football with BetMGM
Line: Elon -18, o/u: 51

Must See Rating: 2.5

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1: Clarice

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