JMU football completed its spring season, and the spring transfer portal window officially opens Wednesday. The Dukes, at least on paper, looked like the Sun Belt favorite. But if they want to win the highly competitive league and flirt with a College Football Playoff appearance, they could benefit from a few roster additions.

Here are positions the Dukes will likely target via the portal.

Linebacker

This might be position No. 1 of need in the spring portal. Trent Hendrick, Gannon Weathersby and JT Kouame-Yao (Shepherd) should see significant playing time, and redshirt freshmen Trashon Dye and Immanuel Ezeogu both have elite potential. Redshirt senior Brandon Fique adds veteran leadership and special teams ability, but the Dukes lack proven star power at the position.

Adding another starting caliber player — the Dukes lost Jacob Dobbs, Taurus Jones and Ray Scott to graduation — is a necessity this spring. The Dukes have offered Eastern Michigan’s Luke Murphy, who tells us he plans to visit Harrisonburg. Murphy finished 2024 with 94 tackles, six tackles for loss and an interception. Adding a veteran like Murphy would strengthen a group with questions.

Cornerback

JMU appeared set at cornerback during the winter portal, until Nebraska swooped in and stole Southern Illinois transfer Jamir Conn. The Dukes still added Maryland’s Chantz Harley and St. Francis’ Mekhi Rodgers to join returners like Chauncey Logan and Justin Eaglin (plus nickelbacks DJ Barksdale and KJ Flowe), but Eaglin and Logan were inconsistent in 2024. Rodgers has never played an FBS snap, and Maryland’s pass defense was torched by Big Ten QBs in 2024.

If there’s a potential starting cornerback in the portal, the Dukes would benefit from going after them aggressively. This might be JMU’s least proven position, although redshirt freshmen Tyjai Hooper and Milt Ferguson could develop into standouts. Are they ready to make that leap in 2025?

Edge rusher

Adding Xavier Holmes from Maine and Aiden Gobaira from Notre Dame helps fill the void left by Eric O’Neill and Khairi Manns leaving, but the group isn’t as deep as recent seasons. Will Amar Thomas or Sahir West take a major leap in 2025? West was a notable standout at Saturday’s spring game. Do the Dukes think one of the incoming true freshmen, perhaps Roy’Marr Thomas, is ready for a meaningful role?

There are internal options, but adding one starting caliber edge through the portal would greatly improve a position without any proven stars outside of Holmes. If Gobaira is healthy and capable of playing 10+ games — injuries derailed his ND career — this becomes less of a position of concern, especially if West is as good as advertised.

Offensive guard

The Dukes are in good shape along the offensive line, with Holy Cross transfer tackle Cam McNair on his way in the summer to join returners like right tackle Patrick McMurtrie, right guard Riley Robell, center Brett Davis, left guard Carter Sweazie, do-everything reserve Josh Toner, guard Quincy Jenkins and left tackle Joseph Simmons. Center/guard Zach Greenberg (Muhlenberg/UNC) and tackle Jeremiah Mawali (Valdosta State) are two key transfers who should also factor into the rotation.

Still, you can never have too many high quality offensive linemen. The Dukes could add another guard, with Sweazie and Robell both returning from season-ending injuries. JMU wasn’t afraid to rotate guards last season and adding someone to aid the quartet of Robell, Sweazie, Toner and Jenkins would ensure that even in the event of injuries (or slow recoveries from Sweazie or Robell) the Dukes are set at guard for the duration of a challenging 12-game schedule.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications