Image courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications
By Bennett Conlin
For the JMU recruiting junkies out there, we’ll track JMU football’s 2025 recruiting class as it takes shape under head coach Bob Chesney. We’ll provide live updates as the class takes shape, which includes interviews with some of the commits.
Offensive additions
JD Rayner, OL – Rayner, a Massachusetts prospect, plays tight end and defensive end, but he’s moving to offensive line in the fall. He’ll join JMU as an offensive lineman when he comes to Harrisonburg in 2025. FCS schools and UMass were among those also seeking Rayner’s services.
Trent Wilson, OL – JMU beat out SMU and Memphis (among others) for Wilson’s commitment. Tulsa also made a strong push for the Texas prospect, but the three-star recruit verbally committed to JMU.
Ethan Gurela, TE – An athletic tight end prospect from Georgia, Gurela picked JMU over Marshall, Georgia Southern, and Georgia State, among others. Florida Atlantic made a strong push for Gurela as well, but he landed on the Dukes.
Jamarice Wilder, RB – This is a major pickup for the Dukes, with Wilder having originally planned to play for Deion Sanders and Colorado. He decommitted last fall, and the Dukes won his recruiting battle, which included programs like Pitt and Indiana. The Florida prospect is a highly talented running back with elite potential.
Brian Hnat, TE – A Connecticut prospect, Hnat has experience playing multiple positions, but he’ll be a tight end for JMU. He also received FBS offers from UMass, Army, and Temple. At 6’5 and 225 lbs, Hnat has intriguing size for an incoming tight end prospect.
Parker Cunningham, OL – An offensive lineman from Pennsylvania, Cunningham was highly recruited by FCS programs and also earned an offer from Buffalo, a MAC team.
Defensive additions
William “Trey” Dudley III, LB – Dudley picked JMU over a bunch of Group of Five teams, including Toledo and Old Dominion. Dudley was recruited by JMU as both a running back and linebacker, but he’ll play LB for the Dukes, according to the DNR.
Jerald James, DE – An edge rusher from Florida, James received notable offers from Maryland, SMU, West Virginia, and Liberty. He opted to commit to Bob Chesney and the Dukes, giving them young help on the edge. He committed to JMU days after visiting.
Kai Callen, DB – The 3-star prospect out of Carrollton, GA committed to JMU after taking his official visit over the June 15 weekend. Callen committed to JMU over schools like UConn and Washington State and the ATH had offers from a plethora of FCS schools.
Cole Webster, DL – The 6’3, 280-pound defensive line prospect out of Cuthbertson High School in Waxhaw, NC announced his commitment on June 19. Webster held offers from ODU, several Ivy League schools and other FCS programs.
Weston Sturzinger, S – An Ohio prospect, Sturzinger received heavy interest from MAC schools. Toledo, Kent State, and Akron all recruited Sturzinger, but he ultimately chose the Dukes. Despite shining at wide receiver in high school, he confirmed with JMU Sports News that he expects to play defensive back in college.
Grayson Gilmore, DE – FAU and Toledo were among the G5 programs courting the Florida defensive end prospect. He’s a solid, athletic pickup.
Roy’Marr Thomas, EDGE – Toledo, FAU and USF all had Thomas to campus for a visit, but the 3-star EDGE defender out of Florida announced he is verbally committing to the Dukes on June 30. Thomas also had offers from Louisville and ECU. The EDGE defender is the third Florida DE to verbally commit to the Class of 2025.
JMU Sports News 
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