Picture courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications
By Bennett Conlin
Given the numerous exercise on the switch portal over the winter, we thought it may 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
Ja'Kai Younger, DB, Gardner-Webb – Younger involves JMU after incomes First Group All-OVC honors in 2023, posting 41 tackles and two interceptions. He’s an athletic/nickel nook with respectable measurement (6′ and 180 lbs) that may assist fill the void left by D'Angelo Ponds. He has one 12 months of eligibility left.
Switch departures
Tyrique Tucker, DL, Indiana – The defensive deal with was stable 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 develop right into a standout in 2024. He was a projected rookie coming 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 occasions for 71 yards final season. Given JMU's switch additions at working again, he's unlikely to see a lot taking part in time in 2024.
Malignaggi is transferring as much as the FCS degree to play for Campbell. He can have an opportunity to earn important taking part in time.
Solomon Vanhorse, RB, Indiana – When wholesome, Vanhorse was a weapon at rebounding and working 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 faculty soccer. He’s leaving this system, maybe in search of extra taking part in time. JMU has a packed home, 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 important 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, based on 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 significant contributor in 2024, and now he's again in aim.
Rykin Maxwell, WR – A backup huge receiver, Maxwell shared on social media that he’s within the portal. Didn’t document 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, turning into one of many prime younger corners in all the nation. He completed the season with 51 tackles, 15 move 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 measurement (6'four and 290 lbs) for a defensive finish.
Seth Naotala, LB – A backup linebacker and particular groups participant, Naotala enters the portal with two years of eligibility remaining. It could have been troublesome for him to earn important snaps at linebacker for the Dukes given their depth on the place.