The first transfer domino has fallen since Florida A&M football’s NCAA postseason ban.
Rising redshirt senior wide receiver Kenari Wilcher has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, as first reported by 247Sports’ Chris Hummer and Matt Zenitz on Tuesday, April 21.
During the 2025 season, Wilcher was the Rattlers’ lead receiver with 40 receptions for 588 yards and four touchdowns as FAMU went 5-7. He also served as a return man, where he had 20 attempts for 514 yards on kickoffs.
It was the 6-foot, 180-pounder’s lone year on The Highest of Seven Hills after spending two years at the University of Illinois. Wilcher also had a stint playing locally at Lawton-Chiles High School during his prep career.
Wilcher initially opted to enter the transfer portal during FAMU’s coaching transition last December, when the school parted ways with James Colzie III and then hired Quinn Fordham Gray Sr.
The receiver decided to stay with the Rattlers and performed in spring football camp and at the April 3 Orange and Green Game, earning a positive review from the newly hired head coach.
Since the Rattlers are on an NCAA-mandated postseason ban due to low Academic Progress Rate scores, which includes practice restrictions, all players can be contacted by other schools if they notify FAMU. However, only student-athletes with one year of eligibility can formally enter the transfer portal.
If a freshman, sophomore, or junior were to switch schools, they would be deemed a “Ghost Transfer,” which would result in harsh NCAA penalties for their new team.
So, FAMU isn’t expected to have an overwhelming number of transfer portal exits, since approximately 15 players on the 88-man spring roster will play their final season in 2026.
As of Tuesday, Wilcher is the only FAMU player publicly reported to be in the transfer portal.
The Rattlers start their 12-game 2026 schedule on Aug. 29 with the Albany State Golden Rams at home on Ken Riley Field at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
Florida A&M football 2026 schedule
Gerald Thomas, III, is a multi-time national award-winning reporter for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football WR Kenari Wilcher enters transfer portal after NCAA ban
Reporting by Gerald Thomas III, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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