Villanova’s star running back Ja’briel Mace enters the transfer portal

VILLANOVA, PA–Villanova’s RB Ja’briel Mace announced that he will enter the transfer portal on his Instagram on Saturday afternoon.

Mace rushed for a career-high 946 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns in 2025. He also broke Brian Westbrook’s record for most rushing yards in a game in program history with 291 against Towson in Maryland on November 8. Mace was a crucial part of Villanova’s rushing offense, which averaged 175 yards per game.

Villanova’s RB Ja’briel Mace announced that he will enter the transfer portal on his Instagram (@briel._4l) on Saturday afternoon.

“I want to thank Villanova from the bottom of my heart,” Mace said in an Instagram post on Saturday. “It truly means everything to me that I was given the chance to chase my dreams both on and off the field. The memories, lessons, and relationships I’ve built here will stay with me forever.”

In his first two years at Villanova, Mace played in 18 games with 58 carries for 283 yards and one touchdown. Mace was mainly a kick returner for the Wildcats at the beginning of the season, but he received more playing time at running back after David Avit suffered an injury against Towson. Mace was named the 2025 CAA Special Teams Player of the Year after finishing the season with two touchdowns and 735 total yards on kick returns.

Mace, a Somers Point, N.J. native, has two years of eligibility left. He will join David Avit as 2025 Villanova running backs to enter the transfer portal.