Picture courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications
By Bennett Conlin
Given the numerous exercise on the switch portal over the winter, we thought it is likely to be simpler to trace JMU soccer's spring portal exercise in a brand new tracker. Right here is the hyperlink to our winter tracker.
Switch Additions
Chris Shearin, DB, UConn – A local of Suffolk, VA, Shearin started his collegiate profession at Missouri earlier than transferring to UConn previous to the 2022 season. Over the previous two seasons with the Huskies, he has gathered 82 tackles, 4 interceptions, 13 cross breakups and a pressured balloon and a balloon restoration. He has one 12 months of eligibility left.
Ja'Kai Younger, DB, Gardner-Webb – Younger involves JMU after incomes First Staff All-OVC honors in 2023, posting 41 tackles and two interceptions. He’s an athletic/nickel nook with first rate dimension (6′ and 180 lbs) that may assist fill the void left by D'Angelo Ponds. He has one 12 months of eligibility left.
Christopher Fitzgerald, DT, Youngstown State – Fitzgerald dedicated to Jap Michigan in late April, however reversed his choice a few week later to affix JMU. Fitzgerald was listed at 6′ and 275 lbs by Youngstown State final season and the within defensive lineman was very productive in among the finest FCS leagues. Over the previous two seasons, he has recorded 65 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 5 sacks.
Fitzgerald has one season of eligibility remaining and may assist fill the void left by Tyrique Tucker.
Ahmarian Granger, WR, Outdated Dominion – After taking part in for ODU in 2022 and 2023, Granger is staying in Virginia and becoming a member of the Dukes. He caught 15 passes for 213 yards and a landing in 2023. Popping out of highschool, Granger performed extensive receiver and quarterback and acquired a number of Energy 5 provides. He’ll be part of a crowded and proficient receivers corridor at JMU.
Khairi Manns, LB, Maine/Colorado – Manns started his faculty profession at Maine, amassing 108 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and eight.5 sacks in 26 video games. He then performed one season for Deion Sanders at Colorado, tallying 9 tackles and one sack.
Brionne Penny, WR, San Diego State – JMU has an abundance of wealth at extensive receiver, and Penny brings spectacular top to the room. The 6'three extensive receiver caught 24 passes for 290 yards and a landing in 2023, an honest feat contemplating San Diego State had one of many nation's worst passing offenses in 2023. He ranked third on the group in receiving yards and may have a authentic shot at stepping into JMU's rotation.
He has one season of eligibility left and can possible contribute ultimately. He’s additionally a succesful punter and rebounder, giving him particular groups.
Jordan Taylor, DB, Tusk – A Division II switch, Taylor provides defensive depth within the backfield. He tallied 32 tackles and three interceptions final season on the Division II stage. His velocity makes him an attention-grabbing addition as he has additionally competed on the monitor group. He posted a sub-Four.Four time within the 40-yard sprint, suggesting he might be a helpful weapon on particular groups.
Ray Williams, DB, Howard – Williams involves JMU with a wealth of FCS expertise, having began his profession in 2019. He recorded 61 tackles that 2019 season, 52 tackles in 2021 and 47 tackles final season. He performed sparingly in 2020 and 2022, however when wholesome and taking part in a full season, Williams was a dependable defensive again.
Final season, a few of his finest video games got here in opposition to high competitors. He recorded certainly one of his two interceptions in opposition to Jap Michigan and posted a game-high eight tackles in opposition to Northwestern.
Jobi Malary, RB, Portland State – Malary provides JMU a bruiser on the again (225 lbs) to go along with its present group of speedsters. Malary ran for over 600 yards (averaging greater than six yards per carry) final fall, reaching the top zone 12 instances. He might be a think about short-yardage and goal-line conditions in 2024, however he shouldn't be seen solely as a robust again.
Malary ran for 241 yards and 6 touchdowns in opposition to Jap Washington final season, averaging over 10 yards per carry within the win. He broke open a 75-yard run within the recreation, his longest of the season. He's an awesome addition to the place group, particularly if he finds himself because the No. 1 operating again. three or Four.
Rayquan Adkins, CB, Cincinnati – Adkins involves JMU with three years of eligibility remaining after showing in 9 video games for the Bearcats in 2023. The cornerback was a three-star recruit in highschool and has sturdy upside at each cornerback and particular groups. He'll possible be a depth piece in 2024, however his capability to play particular groups and expertise at cornerback make him an intriguing participant to watch for years to come back.
Switch departures
Tyrique Tucker, DL, Indiana – The defensive deal with was strong in 2023, taking part in in all 13 video games with 5 begins. He tallied 29 tackles to go along with Four.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. With three years of eligibility remaining, there was hope amongst followers that he may flip right into a standout in 2024. He was a projected rookie getting into spring ball.
Tucker introduced on social media that he’s headed to Indiana to play for Curt Cignetti.
Sammy Malignaggi, RB/KR, Campbell – Backup quarterback, Malignaggi carried the ball 13 instances for 71 yards final season. Given JMU's switch additions at operating again, he's unlikely to see a lot taking part in time in 2024.
Malignaggi is shifting as much as the FCS stage to play for Campbell. He can have an opportunity to earn vital taking part in time.
Solomon Vanhorse, RB, Indiana – When wholesome, Vanhorse was a weapon at rebounding and operating again. He finishes his JMU profession with greater than 500 receiving yards, speeding yards and punt return yards. He was most likely JMU's RB3, although, behind Ayo Adeyi and George Pettaway.
Like many different JMU gamers within the portal, Vanhorse will play for Cignetti and Indiana.
Collin Carroll, TE – Carroll redshirted in 2023, his first season of school soccer. He’s leaving this system, maybe on the lookout for extra taking part in time. JMU has a crowded room, headlined by Kyi Wright and Taylor Thompson, amongst others.
Wesley Bostic, OL – Bostic enters the portal with three years of eligibility remaining. The backup line was not projected to see vital taking part in time for JMU in 2024.
Nakai Poole, WR – Poole transferred to JMU from Mississippi State within the offseason, however shortly returned to the fold, in keeping with On3.
Aaron Gunn, OL – A backup offensive lineman, Gunn appeared in three video games for JMU in 2023. The previous Louisville switch wasn't projected as a serious contributor in 2024, and now he's again in aim.
Rykin Maxwell, WR – A backup extensive receiver, Maxwell shared on social media that he’s within the portal. Didn’t report a catch as a JMU participant, knitting in his solely season (2023) with this system.
D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana – This hurts. Ponds turned a starter as a freshman, changing into one of many high younger corners in all the nation. He completed the season with 51 tackles, 15 cross breakups and two interceptions.
Ponds selected Indiana regardless of curiosity from Auburn and Miami, amongst others.
AJ Abbasi, DE – Abbasi joined this system within the offseason and shortly entered the portal. He wasn't anticipated to contribute on the defensive position, however he has elite dimension (6'Four and 290 lbs) for a defensive finish.
Seth Naotala, LB – Backup linebacker and particular groups participant, Naotala enters the portal with two years of eligibility remaining. It might have been tough for him to earn vital snaps at linebacker for the Dukes given their depth on the place.