Villanova Running Back, All-American Withdraws From Transfer Portal

Villanova Football will retain the services of rising junior Ja’briel Mace next season, as he announced his intentions to return to the Wildcats in an Instagram post on Monday, Jan. 5. Mace initially entered the portal on Dec. 27.

The post contained a highlight reel of Mace’s 2025 season with the caption “no place I’d rather be”. Mace earned FCS All-American honors as a kick returner last season and, although he finished third on the Wildcats in carries per game, he led the team in rushing with 946 yards and 11 touchdowns on 128 carries. He added two more receiving touchdowns and a pair of go-ahead, game-winning kickoff return scores.

Villanova lost running back David Avit, their No. 1 entering the season, to the transfer portal: he’ll suit up for Arizona State next season. Keeping Mace means they’ll have two of their top three backs heading into 2026, as No. 2 power back Isaiah Ragland appears set to remain with the team.