Image courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications

By Bennett Conlin and Jack Fitzpatrick

It’s not at all times simple to trace switch portal season, so we’ve created this web page as a spot to maintain tabs on the gamers becoming a member of (and leaving) JMU soccer over the offseason. We’ll replace this web page often, and we’ll purpose for extra detailed evaluation of switch additions and departures in further articles.

Transfer returners

These gamers entered the portal, however finally 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, racking up 59 profession tackles, and two INTs because the Dukes’ CB1. He’s an necessary returner, as he’s a possible starter for a protection anticipated 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 Power Five expertise, however he opted to return to Harrisonburg. That’s an enormous win for Bob Chesney.

Wayne Knight, RB – Knight introduced his intention to switch on Oct. 16 through social media. Knight tallied 74 receiving yards and 15 dashing yards over a 1.5 seasons in Harrisonburg. He opted out of the portal in December, giving the Dukes further operating again depth in 2024.

Transfer additions

Lloyd Summerall III, DE, USF – Summerall spent 2019-22 with Florida earlier than transferring to USF in 2023. He tallied 21 tackles and 4 tackles for loss in eight video games with USF in 2023. At 6’5″ and 240 lbs, Summerall initiatives as an edge rusher for the Dukes. He has one 12 months of eligibility left.

George Pettaway, RB, North Carolina – Pettaway involves JMU with three years of eligibility remaining. The former top-150 recruit performed sparingly for the Tar Heels in 2022 and 2023, however he’s an enormous play ready to occur and has particular groups potential. He returned 9 kicks for 255 yards, averaging almost 30 yards per return. He’s an explosive again to pair with Adeyi in 2024.

Ayo Adeyi, RB, North Texas – A 5-7 operating again from North Texas introduced he might be taking his abilities to Harrisonburg for his ultimate 12 months of eligbility. Adeyi was a 2021 CUSA All-Freshmen group member and was the group’s main rusher in 2022 and 2023. He rushed for two,320 yards in his first three years and went over 1,000 yards on the bottom final season. He has discovered the top zone 16 occasions as effectively in his profession.

Nakai Poole, WR, Mississippi State – Poole performed one season at Mississippi State, nonetheless the 3-star recruit per 247 Sports didn’t see any motion. Coming out of Norcross High School in Norcross, Georgia he held gives from Maryland, West Virginia and Auburn amongst others. He will be part of an inexperienced large receiver room that appears to have potential.

Hunter McClain, OL, Virginia Tech – McClain had a number of Power Five gives out of highschool, however wasn’t a significant piece for the Hokies early in his profession. He has three years of eligibility left and figures to be a proficient developmental participant for the Dukes’ offensive line.

Dylan Morris, QB, Washington – Hello! While Morris has been Michael Penix’s backup the final two seasons, he threw for two,458 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions for the Huskies in 2021. He earned Pac-12 Honorable Mention in 2020, enjoying 4 video games within the COVID season. He’s an skilled quarterback with a superb arm, and whereas he isn’t a lot of a operating risk, he’s the highest contender to begin for JMU in 2024.

Eric O’Neill, DE, LIU – O’Neill, the 2023 NEC Defensive Player of the Year is a defensive menace. He’s racked up 131 tackles, 44.5 tackles for loss, and 15.5 sacks during the last two seasons with the Sharks. He’s a possible starter for JMU in 2024 and may substitute a few of the cross rush manufacturing misplaced by way of the portal and commencement.

Logan Ketcham, LS – JMU added Ketcham, a protracted snapper from a JUCO in California. He’ll probably compete with Jack Mowrey for the beginning job.

Terry Lockett, DL, Syracuse – Lockett racked up 45 tackles in 26 video games performed for Syracuse within the ACC. He additionally has 5 TFLs and a pair of sacks in his profession. The 6-3, 280 pound defensive linemen may have two years of eligibility remaining.

Tyler Purdy, RB, Holy Cross – Purdy ran for 435 yards on simply 59 makes an attempt (7.4 yards per carry) in 2023, giving the Crusaders a strong depth piece at operating again. He additionally caught 14 passes for 166 yards final season. With one 12 months 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 ultimate season of faculty soccer in Harrisonburg. Considered an elite chief and teammate, Dobbs can be an unimaginable tackler on the linebacker spot. 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.

WATCH | Jacob Dobbs talked with us about his switch course of and go to to JMU earlier than he introduced his determination

Patrick McMurtrie, OL, Holy Cross – A graduate switch, McMurtrie involves JMU after incomes Second Team All-Patriot League honors in 2023. He has super expertise and measurement (6’6″ and 300 lbs) and performed proper sort out for the Crusaders final season. He’ll know Bob Chesney’s teaching model effectively and turns into a direct potential starter for the Dukes.

Jesse Ramil, OL, St. Francis – Over his three years in school Ramil has appeared in 20 whole video games, 4 his freshman 12 months, seven in 2022, and 10 in 2023. The Binghamton, NY native may have an opportunity to be part of the OL after some potential switch departures.

Transfer departures

Curt Cignetti, HC – The Dukes’ head coach is 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 QBs coach are all following Cignetti to Indiana. The three coaches have been instrumental in JMU’s latest success and participant improvement, particularly Shanahan and Sunseri with the Dukes’ offense and quarterback play.

Other coaches, resembling DL Coach Pat Kuntz and energy coach Derek Owings, are additionally leaving.

Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana – Fisher developed right into a standout for the Dukes in 2023, tallying a team-best 91 tackles to go together with seven cross breakups, and a blocked punt. Fisher is a particular athlete, and he appeared the a part of a Power Five participant all through the 2023 marketing campaign.

Jailin Walker, LB, Indiana – Walker has began 30 profession video games for the Dukes and has been among the finest linebackers within the Sun Belt. He battled harm this 12 months however when he returned to the sphere his impression was rapid. In his JMU profession he has 136 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and 4 pressured fumbles.

Tyler Stephens, OL, Indiana – The 6-5, 306 pound junior offensive lineman performed in 35 video games for the Dukes over his profession. Stephens was a flexible lineman who slotted in as a left sort out, left guard and proper sort out.

Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana – The Dukes’ main rusher introduced that he’s following Cignetti to Indiana. Black began 11 video games, enjoying in all 12 this previous season and ran for 594 yards on 4.5 yards per carry. In his profession he has rushed for 1,262 yards on 5 yards per carry and 10 whole touchdowns.

Mikail Kamara, DE, Indiana – Kamara enters the portal with two years of eligibility remaining (missed 2021 with harm & has additional 12 months resulting from COVID). The Ashburn, Va native performed 23 video games over three seasons racking up 82 tackles, 26.5 TFLs and 13.5 sacks. Kamara is coming off a profession excessive in TFLs (17.5), sacks (6.5), and compelled fumbles (4) this previous season.

Kamara opted out of the bowl recreation and introduced his intention to comply with Cignetti to Indiana.

Ty Son Lawton, RB, Indiana – The former Stony Brook switch plans to spend his seventh 12 months of eligibility at Indiana. He rushed for 568 yards and 5 touchdowns for JMU in 2023.

James Carpenter, DL, Indiana – The coronary heart and soul of the defensive position, Carpenter joined the Dukes in 2019. Since then, he has racked up 136 tackles, 28 TFLs and 11.5 sacks with two interceptions and 11 cross deflections on the line. His potential on the inside allowed for gamers like Mikail Kamara and Jalen Green to feast on the skin dashing the passer.

Zach Horton, TE, Indiana – A stellar blocker and robust receiver, Horton snagged six touchdowns for the Dukes in 2023. He’s following Cignetti to Indiana.

Nick Kidwell, OL, Indiana – If Carpenter was the guts and soul of the defensive entrance, Kidwell was the guts and soul of the offensive line. The monster sort out suffered a season-ending harm in 2023, however a wholesome 2024 at Indiana may land him within the 2025 NFL Draft. He was extremely productive at JMU.

Carter Miller, OL, ULM – Miller opted out of the bowl recreation and can switch to ULM, he introduced through social media. He’s staying within the Sun Belt.

Kaden Schickel, LS, Michigan State – The Dukes’ beginning lengthy snapper entered the portal and can head to the Big Ten to affix the Spartans.

Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana – The 1,000 yard receiver entered the portal and is following Curt Cignetti to Indiana. He acquired gives from different Power Five colleges, resembling South Carolina.

Jordan McCloud, QB – The Sun Belt Player of the Year, who accounted for 3,700+ yards and 40 whole touchdowns, will enter the switch portal. He confirmed his intention to enter the portal on social media.