Elite Defensive Player Enters the Portal

Kenyon Garner is not a name that is nationally known today, but that has a chance of changing in the coming weeks and during the 2026 season. The sophomore plays his football at D2 Livingstone College, which is located in Salisbury, North Carolina.

At 6-foot-4, 230-pounds, Garner has the ability to play defensive end or outside linebacker at his next stop. From Okeechobee, Florida, he has showcased those abilities during a dominant 2025 season, when he has totaled 54 tackles, a nation’s leading 27 tackles for loss and 14 sacks.  

While he only entered the portal on Tuesday, Garner has already announced offers from Colorado State and Sacramento State. Expect him to receive more offers in the coming days and weeks.

There have been several D2 players who have made a successful jump to the FBS level in recent years. Just a few that fit this mold include RB Mario Anderson at South Carolina and Memphis (Newberry), QB Austin Reed at Western Kentucky (West Florida), OL Chandler Zavala at NC State (Fairmont State) and WR Isaac TeSlaa at Arkansas (Hillsdale).