Markell Holman Remains With Red Flash

The transfer portal is rarely a kind place, but this winter one of Saint Francis’s leading players entered the portal—and chose to return to Loretto.

Markell Holman's decision to remain with the Red Flash is a major boost for the offense heading into the 2025 season. After entering the portal in December and receiving an offer from Morgan State, Holman ultimately chose to stay at Saint Francis. In today’s college football landscape, outcomes like this are far from guaranteed. Players often leave, and if the demand doesn’t meet their expectations, they can find themselves without a program to return to. Many schools aren’t willing to reopen the door for players who explore the transfer market. But in this case, the mutual benefit must have been clear—the Red Flash saw Holman as a critical piece of their plans and an outstanding running back, and Holman recognized that his best opportunity was in Loretto.

Holman, a junior halfback, will be expected to take on a leadership role for the offense. In 2024, he showcased his ability by rushing for 578 yards and scoring six touchdowns. With his dynamic playmaking ability, Holman is poised to be a critical component of a Red Flash squad that has emphasized development and staying competitive despite roster turnover.

The NEC is a great place to watch elite running backs. It’s a league that features CCSU’s Elijah Howard and Duquesne’s JaMario Clements. They’ll be first team everywhere, but in 2025, expect Holman to be right on their heels. His proven performance will likely earn him strong consideration for preseason All-NEC honors. Any outlet that offers a first and second team will almost certainly be including him on their list.

The Red Flash, who have embraced a "next man up" mentality amid player movement, have managed to hold on to one of their best. Now, they’ll look to Holman to help lead them to a third conference title.