We’ve made this page to serve as a location to track the players who join and leave JMU football during the winter because it may be difficult to keep track of transfer portal season. This page will be updated frequently, and in future articles, we hope to provide a more thorough examination of the additions and deletions of transfers.
Returners by transfer
After using the portal, these players made the decision to remain at JMU.
CB Chauncey Logan Logan, a two-year starter at JMU, saw action in 10 games in 2022 and 12 this year as the Dukes’ CB1. He finished his career with 59 tackles and two interceptions. He’s a crucial return man because he’s projected to start for a defense that will see a lot of turnover. Logan will have a lot of personal anticipation for his junior campaign.
Tyshawn Wyatt, OL: JMU’s starting left tackle played 34 games for the Dukes during his career, becoming a stellar contributor up front. He has Power Five talent, but he chose to return to Harrisonburg, which is a huge win for Bob Chesney.
Desmond Green, WR According to the spring roster, the wide receiver visited the portal but later went back to JMU. Although he hasn’t yet caught a pass for the Dukes, in 2021 he returned a blocked punt for a touchdown against Maine.
Additions by transfer
AJ Abbasi, DL, West Virginia State: Abbasi, who is 6’4 and 290 pounds, is a tremendous size and has two years remaining on his eligibility to play at JMU.
DL, West Virginia; DJ Cotton Cotton redshirted with the Mountaineers, extending his eligibility by four years. He is described as 260 pounds and 6’2″.
Campbell, Quincy Jenkins, OL, Jenkins (6’4 and 315 lbs), a three-year starter at Campbell, transfers to JMU as a graduate student. In 2024, he anticipates competing for playing time as a guard.Wayne Knight, RB: Knight used social media to announce his intention to transfer on October 16, and he opted out of the portal in December, giving the Dukes more depth at running back in 2024.
Taurus Jones, LB: Jones had injuries in 2023 but had a stellar season in 2022, recording 82 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and five pass breakups. Jones is listed on JMU’s 2024 roster, indicating his return.
DL Abi Nwabuoku-Okonji In the first game of JMU’s 2023 season, the former transfer from Minnesota had an injury that ended his season. Finished with 5.5 tackles for loss in 2022, he was projected to be a defensive end rotational player in 2023. His return is indicated by his inclusion on the team’s spring 2024 roster.
Holy Cross’s Terrence Spence, DB Spence arrives at JMU from Holy Cross, where in 2023 he recorded 52 tackles and two interceptions. In Harrisonburg, where he will play his last collegiate football season, he is expected to start on defense and contribute on special teams.
Spence played four years at Holy Cross and blocked six kicks. He is a weapon for special teams.
K. Noe Ruelas, UConn Ruelas, who has two more years of eligibility, will probably start at placekicker for the Dukes in 2024 when he joins JMU. Out of his 20 career field goal tries, he has made 15 of them, including his longest of 54 yards. He makes all of his extra point attempts, going 31 for 31.
TE/WR Logan Kyle of Vanderbilt Kyle, who has two years remaining on his eligibility, will join JMU after catching 11 receptions for 103 yards for Vanderbilt in 2023. With his decent stature (6’3′′ and 225 pounds), he ought to be able to help the Dukes out when playing Sun Belt opponents. He will support a receiving threats group that has lost a number of important members.
WR Cam Ross of UConn With Elijah Sarratt, Reggie Brown, and Phoenix Sproles leaving JMU, the Dukes needed a wide receiver. Ross meets the requirement and still qualifies for two more years.
In 2023, he caught 44 passes for 552 yards and two touchdowns; against JMU, he caught four passes for 91 yards. Ross caught 114 passes for 1,356 yards and six touchdowns in 28 games during his career. Although he had injuries in 2021 and 2022, he played a significant role in UConn’s passing game when he was well.
Raymond Scott, LB, University of Fresno Scott played for USC in 2018 before moving on to Fresno State for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. During the course of the last two seasons with the Bulldogs, he totaled 33 tackles in 12 games. Scott is a decent size at 6’1 and 240 pounds.
He should be able to fight for a starting linebacker position given his experience.DE, USF Lloyd Summerall III Summerall played for Florida from 2019 to 22 before moving to USF in 2023. In eight games with USF in 2023, he recorded 21 tackles and four tackles for loss. Summerall is 240 pounds and 6’5′′, making him a potential edge rusher for the Dukes. He is still eligible for one year.
George Pettaway, Raleigh, NC – Pettaway has three years left of eligibility when he enrolls at JMU. The former top-150 recruit was a limited contributor to the Tar Heels in 2022 and 2023, but he can play special teams and is a big play waiting to come. At an average of almost thirty yards per return, he returned nine kicks for 255 yards. In 2024, he is an explosive back to pair alongside Adeyi.
RB, Ayo Adeyi, North Texas A North Texas running back with a 5–7 grade revealed that he will be attending Harrisonburg for his senior year of eligibility. Adeyi led the team in rushes in 2022 and 2023 and was selected to the CUSA All-Freshmen team in 2021. In his first three years, he gained 2,320 yards with rushes, and in his final season, he gained over 1,000 yards. In his career, he has also found the end zone sixteen times.
Nakai Poole, wide receiver, Mississippi State Poole attended Mississippi State for one season, although according to 247 Sports, he was a 3-star recruit who saw no action. Among other offers, he received after graduating from Norcross High School in Norcross, Georgia, from West Virginia, Maryland, and Auburn. Joining a young yet promising wide receiver group, he has promise.
Hunter McClain, Virginia Tech offensive lineman Although McClain received several Power Five offers after high school, he didn’t contribute much to the Hokies in his first few years of play. He still has three years of eligibility remaining, and the Dukes’ offensive line should benefit greatly from his skill as a developing player.
Dylan Morris, quarterback, Seattle Hi there! Morris led the Huskies in passing in 2021 with 2,458 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while serving as Michael Penix’s backup the previous two seasons. After participating in four COVID games in 2020, he was named to the Pac-12 Honorable Mention team.
Despite not being much of a rushing threat, he is a seasoned quarterback with a strong arm who is the clear favorite to start for JMU in 2024.Eric O’Neill from LIU, DE O’Neill is a dangerous defensive end-man and the 2023 NEC Defensive Player of the Year.
Over the course of the last two seasons with the Sharks, he has amassed 131 tackles, 44.5 tackles for loss, and 15.5 sacks. He should help JMU make up for some of the pass rush production that was lost to graduation and the portal. He is probably going to start for the team in 2024.
Logan Ketcham, LS: Ketcham, a long snapper from a California JUCO, was added by JMU. Jack Mowrey will probably compete with him for the starting position.
Lockett, Terry, DL, Syracuse – In 26 ACC games, Lockett recorded 45 tackles for Syracuse. In his career, he also has two sacks and five TFLs. The 280-pound, 6-3 defensive lineman still has two years left to be eligible.
Tyler Purdy, Holy Cross Reserve Bank – Purdy provided the Crusaders with a reliable depth piece at running back in 2023, racking up 435 yards on just 59 attempts (7.4 yards per carry). Last season, he also grabbed 14 passes for 166 yards. Purdy has one more year of eligibility, so expect him to fight for a spot in the starting lineup in 2024.
Dobbs, Jacob, LB, Holy Cross Dobbs will play in Harrisonburg for his last collegiate football season. Dobbs is regarded as a superb teammate and leader in addition to being a phenomenal linebacker tackler. His total career tackles are 432, of which 123 came in nine games in 2023. In addition, Dobbs has a career total of 46.5 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks, and 4 interceptions.
In 2024, Dobbs is expected to start for JMU.
Holy Cross’ Patrick McMurtrie, OL McMurtrie, a graduate transfer, joins JMU after being named to the Patriot League’s Second Team in 2023. He was a right tackle for the Crusaders last season and has a ton of experience. He stands 6 feet 6 inches and weighs 300 pounds. He will be familiar with Bob Chesney’s coaching philosophy and might start for the Dukes right away.
St. Francis’ Jesse Ramil, OL Ramil has participated in 20 games in his three years of college; four during his rookie year, seven in 2022, and ten in 2023. Following several probable transfer exits, the native of Binghamton, New York, will have an opportunity to be a member of the OL.
Departures for transfers
HC Curt Cignetti It is said that the head coach of the Dukes is moving from JMU to Indiana. While leading JMU, he had a 52-9 record.
Cignetti is being followed to Indiana by JMU’s offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach, Mike Shanahan, Bryant Haines, and Tino Sunseri. Particularly Shanahan and Sunseri with the Dukes’ offense and quarterback play, the three coaches had a significant role in JMU’s recent success and player development.
In addition, other coaches including strength coach Derek Owings and defensive line coach Pat Kuntz are quitting.
Aiden Fisher, Lafayette, Ind. In 2023, Fisher became a star player for the Dukes, recording a team-high 91 tackles, seven pass breakups, and one blocked punt. Fisher is a unique athlete, and during the 2023 campaign, he had the appearance of a Power Five player.
Jailin Walker from LB, IN Walker has been one of the top linebackers in the Sun Belt and has started 30 games for the Dukes in his career. Despite struggling with injuries this season, he had an instant effect on the field upon his comeback. He has 136 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions, and four forced fumbles in his JMU career.
Indiana’s Tyler Stephens, OL Over the course of his career, the 6-5, 306-pound junior offensive lineman for the Dukes appeared in 35 games. Stephens was a flexible offensive lineman who played right tackle, left guard, and left tackle.
R-back Kaelon Black from Indiana The top rusher for the Dukes declared he would be joining Cignetti in Indiana. This past season, Black participated in all 12 games, starting 11, and ran for 594 yards at a rate of 4.5 yards per carry. He has 1,262 yards of total career rushing yards at a rate of 5 yards per carry, along with 10 touchdowns.
