Villanova Loses Another Top Running Back to Transfer Portal

Villanova Football lost another major contributor to the transfer portal on Saturday, Dec. 27, with redshirt sophomore tailback Ja’briel Mace announcing his decision via Instagram.

While Mace ranked as the Wildcats’ No. 3 back in terms of carries taken this season, he made the most of those touches, racking up 946 yards and 11 touchdowns on 128 carries. He also added a pair of kickoff return touchdowns, enough to earn him a series of All-American honors as a specialist.

Mace saw a larger share of carries after Villanova’s starting running back, David Avit, went down with an injury in early November. Avit also entered the transfer portal following the Wildcats’ season-ending loss to Illinois State in the national semifinals, leaving Villanova with just one member of their three-headed monster at the position, rising junior Isaiah Ragland.

Other recent transfer portal departures include rising senior defensive lineman Capri Martin (33 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks) and defensive back Nino Betances, a senior who played in just four games, preserving a redshirt year.