Picture courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications
By Daniel Merriman
JMU soccer formally entered the Bob Chesney period Saturday when the Dukes performed their first official contest in entrance of followers at Bridgeforth Stadium beneath Chesney.
JMU's offense gained the annual spring sport by a rating of 30-29, and the Dukes had a mix of returns and transfers that impress. The youthful members of the JMU program additionally had some stellar moments. Listed here are some key takeaways from the exhibition.
The receivers present promise
Linebacker Jacob Dobbs additionally reminds the crew each day, “In the event you're not juiced, you're ineffective.” Properly, quarterback Dylan Morris and large receiver Cam Ross had the juice as we speak.
Morris, the crew's projected QB1, appeared to Ross a number of instances and made a number of completions all through the afternoon. Ross had a key first down conversion within the first quarter and have become Morris' first learn for a lot of the sport.
Ross has lightning velocity and a various route tree. Ross appears to be like to be an enormous a part of Morris' targets this fall. The 5'10” UConn switch is properly positioned to be a WR1. He can have stiff competitors for that spot from ECU switch Taji Hudson.
Dylan Williams appears to be like like the true deal. He scored a landing and pulled off an unbelievable one-handed catch through the 1v1 contest. He’s a leap ball menace along with his already spectacular body (6'1 and 193 lbs). At the same time as a freshman, he was a dominant pressure as a go catcher.
“This man goes to be one thing particular. … He's a freak athlete, he's received large arms, he grabs all the things close to him and he's received his tail out,” Morris stated.
The primary early enrollee could possibly be JMU's subsequent large receiver in due time.
Deep again room
The working again room is loaded with expertise this yr. Projected starter Ayo Adeyi confirmed his explosiveness and flexibility all day. He was supported by George Pettaway, who confirmed an elite burst of targets.
Pettaway ripped off a 38-yard TD after bursting by means of the sort out. General, the run blocking confirmed immense promise in comparison with final yr's floor sport. The Dukes ranked 12th within the Solar Belt in 2023 in speeding yards per sport, averaging 134.2 per sport and fewer than 4 yards per carry.
There have been nearly no procedural penalties and 0 turnovers for the offense within the spring sport. Behind that strong JMU O line, Solomon Vanhorse additionally contributed glorious manufacturing. He averaged 10+ yards per carry within the first half on three makes an attempt.
JMU had quite a lot of backfield expertise final yr, however they discovered their most success utilizing that room as go receivers. Whereas go catching will likely be an enormous a part of the RB's job this fall, the speeding sport appears to be like to be utterly reinvented this yr.
“There have been some actually clear video games,” head coach Bob Chesney stated. “We hit some issues inside that I assumed opened up actually properly.”
The younger safeties might see straight away
KJ Flowe, Chase Regan and Evan Spivey totally impressed in JMU's security room. This place group has loads of alternatives for a younger participant to turn into a starter. 5 safeties graduated final yr and few returners performed high quality snaps.
DJ Barksdale and junior Jacob Thomas have been featured all through spring ball. Nonetheless, the younger weapons stepped up and made performs in Harrisonburg.
“Spivey did a extremely good job, he did some issues that I assumed stood out,” Chesney stated of the redshirt freshman.
The opposite two freshman safeties (Flowe and Regan) even have unbelievable potential. Thomas is projected to be a starter, however a type of kids might simply be with him when fall camp ends.
Eye on the 2024 particular
At present's festivities supply attention-grabbing insights into what fall soccer might appear to be. JMU's highschool recruits and switch portal additions can pay dividends this yr.
The Dukes have loads of room to develop and enhance, particularly on the defensive finish. Nonetheless, they nonetheless look properly positioned to be extremely aggressive within the Solar Belt and doubtlessly contend for a Group of 5 spot within the School Soccer Playoff.
“Similar to the plan that was put in right here final yr … You're going to must put your self in place to in all probability come out of this factor with a fairly clear document,” Chesney stated.
The Dukes have quite a lot of steps between every now and then, however that's the objective.
“It's a tricky job, however it's one which our guys have their sights set on at a sure stage,” Chesney stated.