Picture courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications
By Bennett Conlin
It isn’t all the time straightforward to maintain observe of the switch portal season, so we have created this web page as a spot to trace gamers becoming a member of (and leaving) JMU soccer this offseason. We are going to replace this web page usually and search for a extra detailed evaluation of switch additions and departures in additional articles.
Transferred returns
These gamers entered the portal however in the end determined to remain at JMU.
Chauncey Logan, CB – A two-year starter for JMU, Logan performed 10 video games in 2022 and 12 this season, accumulating 59 profession tackles and two INTs because the Dukes’ CB1. It is an essential return as a result of he is a probable starter for a protection that is projected to bear vital turnover. Logan’s junior season will include vital particular person hype.
Tyshawn Wyatt, OL – JMU’s beginning left sort out performed in 34 video games for the Dukes throughout his profession and have become a stellar contributor up entrance. He has Energy 5 expertise however opted to return to Harrisonburg. It is a massive win for Bob Chesney.
Wayne Knight, RB – Knight introduced his intention to switch on October 16 through social media. Knight had 74 receiving yards and 15 speeding yards in 1.5 seasons in Harrisonburg. He waived Portal in December, giving the Dukes extra operating again depth in 2024.
Switch Additions
Tyler Purdy, RB, Holy Cross – Purdy rushed for 435 yards on simply 59 makes an attempt (7.four yards per carry) in 2023, giving the Crusaders stable depth at operating again. He additionally caught 14 passes for 166 yards final season. With one yr of eligibility remaining, search for Purdy to compete for time within the operating again rotation in 2024.
Jacob Dobbs, LB, Holy Cross – Dobbs will play his last season of school soccer in Harrisonburg. Thought-about an elite chief and teammate, Dobbs can also be an unbelievable tackler at linebacker. He has 432 profession tackles, together with 123 in 9 video games in 2023. Dobbs additionally has 46.5 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks and 4 interceptions in his profession.
Dobbs is a projected starter for JMU in 2024.
STOP | Jacob Dobbs spoke with us about his switch course of and go to to JMU earlier than saying his choice
Patrick McMurtrie, OL, Holy Cross – A graduate switch, McMurtrie involves JMU after incomes second-team All-Patriot League honors in 2023. He has nice expertise and measurement (6’6″ and 300 lbs) and performed proper sort out for the Crusaders final season final. He will probably be conversant in Bob Chesney’s teaching fashion and can instantly grow to be a doable starter for the Dukes.
Jesse Ramil, OL, St. Francis – Via his three years in faculty, Ramil has performed in 20 complete video games, 4 as a freshman, seven in 2022 and 10 in 2023. The Binghamton, NY native will get an opportunity to be on the OL after some potential switch departures.
Switch departures
Curt Cignetti, HC – Dukes head coach reportedly leaving JMU for Indiana. He went 52-9 as JMU’s head coach.
Mike Shanahan, Bryant Haines and Tino Sunseri, coaches – JMU’s OC, DC and QB coach observe Cignetti to Indiana. The three coaches have been instrumental in JMU’s current success and participant improvement, particularly Shanahan and Sunseri with the Dukes’ offense and quarterback.
Different trainers akin to Coach DL Pat Kuntz and energy coach Derek Owingsdepart too.
Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana – Fisher became a standout for the Dukes in 2023, recording a team-best 91 tackles with seven go breakups and one blocked punt. Fisher is a particular athlete and has regarded the a part of a Energy 5 participant all through the 2023 marketing campaign.
Jailin Walker, LB, Indiana – Walker began 30 profession video games for the Dukes and was one of many high linebackers within the Solar Belt. He battled harm this yr, however when he returned to the sphere his impression was fast. In his JMU profession, he has 136 tackles, eight.5 TFL, three.5 sacks, three interceptions and 4 compelled fumbles. He’s the second linebacker to enter the portal after Taurus Jones entered earlier.
Tyler Stephens, OL, Indiana – The 6-5, 306-pound junior offensive lineman has performed in 35 video games for the Dukes over his profession. Stephens was a flexible linebacker who performed left sort out, left guard and proper sort out.
Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana – The primary follower of the Dukes introduced that he was getting into the portal. Black began 11 video games, taking part in in all 12 final season, and rushed for 594 yards on four.5 yards per carry. In his profession, he rushed for 1,262 yards on 5 yards per carry and 10 complete touchdowns. He enters the portal with two years of eligibility remaining.
Michael Kamara, DE, Indiana – Kamara enters the portal with two years of eligibility remaining (he missed 2021 with harm and has an additional yr as a consequence of COVID). The Ashburn, Va. native performed in 23 video games over three seasons, racking up 82 tackles, 26.5 TFL and 13.5 sacks. Kamara is coming off profession highs in TFLs (17.5), sacks (6.5) and compelled fumbles (four) final season.
Kamara opted out of the bowl sport and introduced his intention to observe Cignetti to Indiana.
Ty Son Lawton, RB, Indiana – The previous Stony Brook switch plans to spend his seventh yr of eligibility at Indiana. Rushed for 568 yards and 5 touchdowns for JMU in 2023.
James Carpenter, DL, Indiana – The guts and soul of the line of defense, Carpenter joined the Dukes in 2019. Since then, he is racked up 136 tackles, 28 TFLs and 11.5 sacks with two interceptions and 11 go deflections. His means on the within allowed gamers like Mikail Kamara and Jalen Inexperienced to thrive on the surface, speeding the passer. The All-Solar Belt second group participant enters the portal as a grad switch and may play instantly.
Zach Horton, TE, Indiana – A stellar blocker and powerful receiver, Horton scored six touchdowns for the Dukes in 2023. He is likely one of the underrated stars of JMU’s offense. ESPN reported Horton’s addition to the portal.
Carter Miller, OL, ULM – A redshirt freshman offensive lineman, Miller began 9 video games alongside the offensive line in 2023. He has a vivid future on the place.
Miller has resigned from the bowl sport and can switch to ULM, he introduced through social media. He stays within the Solar Belt.
Kaden Schickel, LS, Michigan State – The Dukes’ beginning lengthy snapper has entered the portal and can head to the Massive Ten to hitch the Spartans.
Elijah Sarratt, WR – The 1,000-meter receiver entered the portal. After transferring to JMU from Saint Francis, he demolished Solar Belt defenses en path to catching 74 passes for 1,076 yards and eight touchdowns. He stated JMU remains to be an choice, however with the current ruling in favor of long-time transfers like Sarratt, he is testing the waters of the switch portal.
Jordan McCloud, QB – The Solar Belt Participant of the Yr, who has amassed greater than three,700 yards and 40 complete touchdowns, will enter the switch portal. He confirmed his intention to enter the portal on social networks.
Brent Austin, CB – A rotation participant at CB, Austin had 12 tackles and an interception returned for a TD this season.
Taurus Jones, LB – Jones battled accidents in 2023 however had an enormous 2022 marketing campaign with 82 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 5 go breakups. It is within the portal as a graduate switch.
Abi Nwabuoku-Okonji, MR – The previous Minnesota switch suffered a season-ending harm in JMU’s first sport of the yr. He was anticipated to be a rotation participant at defensive finish in 2023 and completed with 5.5 tackles for loss in 2022. He introduced on social media that he’ll enter the portal as a graduate switch.
Desmond Inexperienced, WR – The broad receiver hasn’t been a serious contributor for the Dukes and joins Portal with two years of eligibility remaining.
Ibrahim Barry, WR – The freshman receiver didn’t see the sphere for the Dukes in 2023.