Five former JMU football players landed on NFL active rosters or practice squads ahead of the 2024 NFL season. Through one week of play, one of the five Dukes earned regular season playing time for their respective franchise.

Mike Greene, who shined along the defensive line for JMU from 2017-21 and finished his college career with 39 tackles for loss and 18 sacks, recorded a tackle for Tampa Bay in its 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders. Greene was elevated from the practice squad for the game, with the Bucs dealing with defensive line injuries.

Let’s take a quick look at the former Dukes in the NFL ahead of Week 2 of the 2024-25 NFL season.

Mike Greene, DT, Tampa Bay Bucs

Greene played 23 snaps for the Bucs in Week 1, according to Pro Football Focus. He finished with the one tackle and received a PFF grade of 58, which is about average.

Greene filled in admirably for Tampa Bay, which plays the Detroit Lions in Week 2. Tampa Bay clearly trusts the former JMU defensive tackle, with him being on either the franchise’s practice squad or active roster since 2022.

Aaron Stinnie, OL, New York Giants

While Stinnie didn’t play any offensive snaps in Week 1, he’s on New York’s active roster and played a pair of special teams snaps. Stinnie has an impressive body of work, as he’s won an FCS national championship and Super Bowl during his playing career. He won the Super Bowl title with the Bucs during the 2020 season, starting the team’s final three postseason games.

Stinnie has proven himself to be a capable rotational offensive lineman in the NFL, and it’s possibly he receives more playing time for the Giants as the season progresses.

Isaac Ukwu, DL, Detroit Lions

Ukwu, a rookie, landed on Detroit’s practice squad after a stellar preseason. He pushed for a spot on the 53-man roster, but ultimately came up just shy.

Given Ukwu’s youth, it’s possible he eventually makes his way onto a 53-man roster later in his career. If Detroit suffers any injuries at defensive end, Ukwu could earn playing time in 2024.

Ukwu ended his college career at Ole Miss, but he played six seasons at JMU before transferring.

A strip sack for former JMU DE Isaac Ukwu today in Lions preseason action. He recorded one sack in each of Detroit’s three preseason games.

He has a legitimate chance to make Detroit’s roster. pic.twitter.com/BGFBseqI6h

— JMU Sports News (@JMUSportsNews) August 24, 2024

Liam Fornadel, OL, New England Patriots

A member of New England’s practice squad, Fornadel played very well for the DC Defenders the last two seasons. He’s a capable NFL player, and he could break into the Patriots’ offensive line rotation later in the season.

Look for Fornadel to battle for spots on 53-man rosters in coming seasons, if he stays healthy. He’s a talented run blocker and fits well at the guard position in the NFL.

Jamree Kromah, DL, Chicago Bears

The rookie defensive lineman landed on Chicago’s practice squad. He didn’t have quite the same preseason success as Ukwu, but Kromah’s size and athleticism give him a chance to stay in the NFL for years to come.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications