Villanova Football Transfers: Starting Tight End Hits the Portal

Villanova Football tight end Antonio Johnson announced his intention to transfer on Friday, Jan. 2, the latest of a handful of Wildcats to leave the program. A senior in 2025, Johnson missed all of the 2024 campaign due to injury and may hope to obtain — or already have — a medical redshirt. As such, he was already likely to depart Villanova ahead of 2026.

The 6-foot-4, 260 pound redzone target caught 20 passes for 231 yards and five touchdowns in 2025 despite dealing with injuries that hampered his production early. Other Villanova players to enter the portal include defensive backs Damill Bostic Jr. and Nino Betances, defensive lineman Capri Martin and reserve running backs Isaiah Wright and Eli Smith.

Wildcats’ transfers like David Avit and Anthony Hawkins are incurring major attention from Power Four programs, with Avit posting to Instagram about a visit to Arizona State and Hawkins set to visit Wisconsin, Iowa and Kentucky. FCS All-American kick returner Ja’briel Mace and cornerback Zahmir Dawud could also make the jump to Division I – FBS.