Image courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications

By Bennett Conlin

Has anyone else seen a series of “JMU offered!” tweets in their social media timelines recently? If you’re anything like us, you’re having trouble keeping track of the many transfer players being offered a spot on JMU football’s 2024 roster by Bob Chesney and company. 

We’re making this page in hopes of better remembering all of JMU’s transfer portal targets. It’ll likely be a bit of a mess, but hopefully it’s also a fun resource for recruiting die-hards. Transfers who have committed to JMU will be monitored on our transfer portal tracker instead of this page.

Quarterback

The Dukes landed Dylan Morris from Washington.

Running back

JMU added a trio of RBs, most notably Ayo Adeyi from North Texas. 

Wide receiver

Leland Smith, Fullerton College – The JUCO wide receiver caught 26 passes for 655 yards and nine touchdowns in nine games in 2023. He’s been offered by numerous Group of Five programs.

Tight ends

Several of JMU’s offered tight ends committed elsewhere.

Offensive line

Mike Barr, Lafayette – Barr was a First Team All-Patriot League player in 2023, and his team won the conference over Holy Cross. He’s played multiple spots across the offensive line and started 25 career games. He has one year of eligibility left.

Defensive line

The Dukes added several potential difference makers along the defensive front, including LIU’s Eric O’Neill.

Linebackers

Jacob Dobbs (Holy Cross) headlines JMU’s list of linebacker additions. 

Defensive backs

Thomas Anderson, UNLV – A former JUCO player, Anderson recorded 20 tackles and an interception over one season with UNLV. He has two years of eligibility left.

Chris Shearin, UConn – Shearin began his career at Missouri before two solid seasons with the Huskies. He recorded 82 tackles, 13 pass breakups, and four interceptions in two years with UConn. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Specialists

JMU added Logan Ketcham, a JUCO long snapper. The Dukes may look for a kicker.

Offered players who committed to JMU

Ray Scott (Fresno State, LB), Lloyd Summerall III (USF, DE), George Pettaway (UNC, RB), Ayo Adeyi (North Texas, RB), Nakai Poole (Mississippi State, WR), Hunter McClain (Virginia Tech, OL), Dylan Morris (Washington, QB), Eric O’Neill (LIU, DE), Logan Ketcham (JUCO, LS) Terry Lockett (Syracuse, DL), Tyler Purdy (Holy Cross, RB), Patrick McMurtrie (Holy Cross, OL), Jesse Ramil (St. Francis, OL), and Jacob Dobbs (Holy Cross, LB). 

Read more about JMU’s transfer portal additions on our transfer portal tracking page.

Offered players who committed elsewhere

Jayden Brown, RB – A Garnder-Webb transfer, Brown committed to UConn. 

Terry Jones, ODU – A safety for the Monarchs, Jones made 107 tackles in 2023 and earned Sun Belt Honorable Mention. He committed to Indiana.

Tyler Foster, Ohio – Foster, who had 33 catches for 396 yards and four touchdowns over the last two seasons for one of the better MAC programs, committed to Oklahoma State.

Marquise Robinson, South Alabama – The standout cornerback is on his way to Arkansas.

Cole Rusk, Murray State – A stud tight end for the Racers committed to Illinois.

Reginald Harden Jr, Benedict College – The tall and athletic wide receiver committed to Arkansas State.

Deontre Morris, Kennesaw State – One of the best DBs in the FCS, Morris is heading to Georgia Southern.

Kanious Vaughn, UTEP – Vaughn began his career at the JUCO ranks, and he performed well for UTEP in 2023. He’s heading to Utah to play for a solid Power Five program.

Mateen Ibirogba, Georgetown – In two seasons with Georgetown, Ibirogba recorded 48 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss. He’s going to Wake Forest.

Fred Farrier, UAB – The wide receiver visited JMU and considered the Dukes a top option but committed to Kentucky.

Tavion Woodard, Ball State – Woodard, a talented defensive end, committed to Boise State.

Jamoi Mayes, Chattanooga – Mayes caught 62 passes for 1,037 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. He committed to UAB.

Jaylen Varner, Emporia State – The Division II prospect caught 90 passes for 1,008 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023. The wide receiver committed to Minnesota.

Rico Walker, Maryland – A former four-star prospect, Walker caught four passes for 27 yards in one season with the Terps. The tight end committed to Auburn.

Kempton Shine, Eastern Michigan – Shine visited JMU in early January, and we spoke to him about his visit. Despite enjoying his time in Harrisonburg, Shine will spend 2024 with UVA.

Elijah Hills, Albany – The defensive lineman (6’2” and 280 lbs) has 59 tackles, including 16.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons. He committed to Wisconsin.

Terez Traynor, Idaho – Traynor began his career at Western Kentucky and was productive for Idaho in 2023, catching 24 passes for 370 yards and two touchdowns. He committed to Tulane.

Jevon McIver Jr, Austin Peay – McIver began his career at Lenoir-Rhyne before transferring to Austin Peay for the 2023 season. He finished the year with 61 tackles, 12 pass breakups, and an interception. He committed to TCU.

Isaiah Alston, Army – Army doesn’t throw the ball much, but Alston proved to be one of the program’s most dynamic receivers. He has 49 career receptions for 1,031 yards and six touchdowns. He’s headed to Iowa State.

Kendy Charles, Liberty – A defensive tackle, Charles (6′ and 280 lbs) is an impact player. He posted 15 tackles for loss and nine sacks for the Flames across 25 games during the 2021-23 seasons. He committed to Duke.

Jordyn Morgan, UNLV – Morgan, who began his career at Iowa State, was a standout for the Rebels in 2022 but only played one game in 2023. He committed to Louisiana Tech.