247 Sports initially reported on May 11 that Carothers had entered the NCAA Transfer Portal after having rushed for 1,092 yards and 16 touchdowns in 20 games with Navy. He was the #2 rusher for the Midshipmen in both the 2019 and 2020 seasons with 208 carries in both years combined.

The following day, Maryland's Capital Gazette reported that Carothers had been dismissed from the Naval Academy prior to entering the Transfer Portal. The Gazette report states that multiple sources have stated that "projected starting fullback Jamale Carothers has been dismissed from the Naval Academy because of an honor code offense."

Navy football coach Ken Niumatalolo has referred all inquiries regarding Carothers to the Academy's public affairs office, and the Naval Academy has declined to comment on the situation.

Carothers has reportedly already signed his “2 for 7” papers at the Naval Academy. 2 for 7's are papers signed by cadets after the second year of attendance at the Academy to commit to seven more years with the Navy or Marine Corps - two more years at the Naval Academy, and 5 years of military service following graduation. The significance of his 2 for 7 commitment is that any cadet who fails to graduate after signing the papers can be subject to financial recoupment for the educational benefits (tuition) accrued during their time at the Naval Academy.

Jamale Carothers was the winner of the 2016 Kentucky Mr. Football Award and the 2016/17 Gatorade Player of the Year Award.

I am shocked by this.  Anyone who knows anything about Jamale Carothers is that he is a yes sir - no sir, no problems, good grades kid.  Really floored over this.