Article by Bennett Conlin with contributions from Jack Fitzpatrick and Daniel Merriman

Chris Smith drove to Harrisonburg this offseason, considering leaving a high-paying job with the New York Giants to rejoin Bob Chesney’s staff as an offensive line coach. The former Holy Cross assistant wanted to visit JMU with his family before officially deciding to make the switch from the NFL back to the college ranks.

Upon arriving at JMU’s football facilities in the offseason, Smith’s son bolted toward Chesney, who was sitting in an office.

“Coach Chesney!” he yelled. Smith’s seven-year-old son shared a hug with Chesney before they playfully wrestled each other.

“I looked at my wife and I’m like, ‘Alright, this is the right place. We’re coming back here,’” Smith said. “He got to spend three days at the Giants facilities like ever. Here he’s wrestling with the head coach in the middle of the office. This is different. We’re coming back here, and it’s been a great decision.”

Chesney’s close bond with Smith and his family means JMU replaces a beloved program figure in Damian Wroblewski (now the OL coach at Maryland) with another highly regarded offensive line coach.

Different Offensive Identity

Smith’s entrance into the program comes with what should be a shift in offensive philosophy. JMU football’s 2023 offense drew headlines for the passing attack. Quarterback Jordan McCloud won Sun Belt Player of the Year, and both Reggie Brown and Elijah Sarratt eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in 2023.

JMU ran for just 3.9 yards per carry last fall, however. The Dukes’ passing attack was elite, but the running game sputtered. This year’s team enters the season with a different offensive mindset, especially given a roster with talented running backs like North Texas running back Ayo Adeyi.

“The expectation when I got here was we’re gonna be explosive and seeing the guys we have, it’s the same,” Adeyi said.

Adeyi’s Pro Football Focus rushing grade last season (88.8) was 14 points higher than any JMU running back in 2023. Jobi Malary comes to JMU from Portland State, where he posted an 89.7 rushing grade on PFF in 2023, and Holy Cross transfer Tyler Purdy posted a 90.9 rushing grade in offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy’s scheme last season. Those additions are major reasons to believe the Dukes are on the verge of better rushing production in 2024.

Smith believes a powerful running game starts up front, where JMU returns starters Tyshawn Wyatt, Tanner Morris, and Cole Potts.

“We need to be O-line driven,” Smith said. “I think the best teams are O-line driven because they’re going to be unselfish just by nature. We don’t care about scoring touchdowns, who’s getting fantasy points. Guess what? None of us. None of us are getting fantasy points.”

The Standouts

JMU looks loaded at left tackle, with Wyatt returning and Jesse Ramil coming in from St. Francis. Ramil is working primarily at left tackle, according to a Dave Riggert interview.

“Jesse Ramil is a football junkie,” Smith said.

Smith says Ramil, who has a brother playing at Michigan State and his dad played for Alabama, often watches NFL film and asks Smith what he thinks of how certain pros play. Smith says he leans on his year with the Giants to help teach Ramil proper technique.

Ramil posted a run blocking grade of 75.5 in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus. That rating would’ve led all JMU offensive linemen in 2023.

Carter Sweazie started for JMU at left guard in the bowl loss to Air Force, and he’s considered a rising star in the position group. His 2023 run blocking grade (66.8) on Pro Football Focus is the highest of any returning lineman.

“Sweazie is like a dancing bear,” Smith said. “I always say that because he’s so wide, he’s so big, but you put him out in space he’s just so athletic. You’re like, ‘how did he just do that?’”

Along the right side of the offensive line, Potts is a preseason First Team All-Sun Belt player at guard. Holy Cross transfer Patrick McMurtrie is the likely starter at right tackle, given his prior experience at the position.

The Dukes also have Campbell transfer Quincy Jenkins and returner Josh Toner as notable linemen in the room. They’re both versatile players who can line up across different positions.

Overall, JMU returns a wealth of offensive line experience to go with a group of offensive coaches who want to run the football. Smith brings with him a year of NFL experience, and he’s back with a coaching staff that makes him feel at home. He’s optimistic about the year ahead, both on and off the field.

“Couldn’t be happier,” Smith said.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications