JMU football’s fall camp is underway, meaning on-field preparation for a brutal opening stretch of games — Louisville, Liberty, and Georgia Southern all come after an FCS opener — has officially started.

With the Dukes nearing the season opener against Weber State, here’s our best estimate at how JMU’s depth chart would look if the Dukes opened the season today. We made a few tweaks in this depth chart compared to our May projection.

Editor’s note: This is not an official team depth chart, but rather our projection using publicly available information.

Quarterbacks

QB1: Matthew Sluka (6’2 and 211 lbs, R-SR)
QB2: Camden Coleman (6’3 and 223 lbs, JR) or Alonza Barnett (6’0 and 217 lbs. R-JR)

Changes from my May depth chart

I took JC Evans off the depth chart, as I think there’s a clear hierarchy between the top 3 QBs and the rest of the guys on the depth chart. Barnett, while recovering well, has yet to be cleared for contact after tearing his ACL in late November. It wouldn’t come as a shock if JMU’s staff wants to redshirt Coleman if Barnett is ready for Week 1. Look for one of Coleman or Barnett, if not both, to consider redshirts.

Sluka is the favorite to win the job, at least on paper. He knows the offensive coaching staff from his time at Holy Cross, and he’s an exceptional rusher. He throws the deep ball well and has everything a QB needs to win games at the G5 level, even if his completion percentage sits closer to 50% than 70% most seasons. He’s the most experienced player in the group, too. He’s seen an array of defenses, and he’s had success against P4 competition.

Running backs

RB1: Ayo Adeyi (5’8 and 200 lbs, R-SR) or George Pettaway (5’10 and 196 lbs, R-JR)
RB2: Jobi Malary (5’11 and 236 lbs, R-SR) or Jordan Fuller (5’11 and 229 lbs, R-SR)
RB3: Wayne Knight (5’7 and 190 lbs, R-JR)

Changes from my May depth chart

I don’t have any changes here. Adeyi and Pettaway have star potential and deserve to handle the bulk of the workload, while Malary and Fuller are obvious short-yardage weapons who can also be used as pseudo-fullbacks in two-running back looks. Knight should play a role in receiving packages and potentially in the return game, but he could be the odd man out of a crowded room unless Pettaway gets hurt.

Wide receivers

WR(X): Isaiah Alston (6’4 and 199 lbs, R-SR)
WR2 (X): Landon Ellis (6’2 and 213 lbs, JR)

WR(Z): Nick DeGennaro (6’1 and 196 lbs, R-SR)
WR2 (Z): Za’Ron Collins (6’2 and 181 lbs, R-SO)

WR(slot): Jaylan Sanchez (6’ and 195 lbs, SR)
WR2(slot): Michael Scott (5’9 and 159 lbs, FR)

Changes from my May depth chart

I’m sticking with the same guys here, too. I’m less convinced about the backups, but Alston, DeGennaro, and Sanchez will see a ton of action. I think DeGennaro is the best player on the roster.

Don’t be shocked if Dylan Williams works his way into the mix after a strong freshman campaign. Arrion Concepcion (Kansas State) and Braeden Wisloski (Maryland) should also push for time, perhaps in the slot.

Tight ends and offensive line

TE1: Josh Phifer (6’6 and 259 lbs, R-SO)
TE2: Logan Kyle (6’3 and 234 lbs, R-SR) or Lacota Dippre (6’4 and 253 lbs, R-SO)

LT1: Joseph Simmons (6’6 and 323 lbs, R-JR)
LT2: James Pogorelc (6’8 and 301 lbs, R-JR)

LG1: Carter Sweazie (6’2 and 328 lbs, R-JR)
LG2: Josh Toner (6’3 and 323 lbs, R-SR)

C1: Zach Greenberg (6’4 and 295 lbs, R-SR)
C2: Brett Davis (6’4 and 299 lbs, R-SR)

RG1: Riley Robell (6’3 and 291 lbs, R-SO)
RG2: JaKobe Campbell (6’3 and 282 lbs, R-FR)

RT1: Patrick McMurtrie (6’5 and 305 lbs, GR)
RT2: Cam McNair (6’5 and 335 lbs, SR)

Changes from my May depth chart

No major changes here, but I have Phifer as my projected starting tight end now. He’s listed at closer to 260 lbs — 25 lbs heavier than Kyle. If JMU leans into the running game as much as I expect it to, then Phifer’s size in the running game will be coveted. Kyle will still play plenty at tight end.

The starting offensive line seems fairly set. The depth gives me some pause, especially at left tackle and right guard. Toner’s positional versatility helps, though, as he could be brought into action at either guard spot. He’s also played tackle before, although guard is clearly his more natural fit.

Defensive line

DE: Aiden Gobaira (6’5 and 255 lbs, R-JR)
DE2: Turner Schmidt (6’4 and 244 lbs, SO)

DT: Immanuel Bush (6’1 and 348 lbs, R-SR)
DT2: Kells Bush (6’3 and 311 lbs, R-JR)

DT: Mychal McMullin (6’1 and 291 lbs, R-SO) or Andrew Taddeo (6’ and 291 lbs, SR)
DT2: Terry Lockett (6’2 and 281 lbs, R-SR) or Cole Webster (6’3 and 290 lbs, FR)

DE: Xavier Holmes (6’3 and 238 lbs, R-SR)
DE2: Sahir West (6’4 and 270 lbs, R-FR)

Hybrid: Amar Thomas (6’1 and 241 lbs, R-JR)

Changes from my May depth chart

Couple changes in this spot, most notably moving William Robinson off the listing. The Holy Cross transfer won’t be at JMU in 2025, as previously expected. This leaves me with Gobaira and Schmidt alone at one DE spot.

I also removed Amar Thomas from DE and shifted him to “hybrid.” I anticipate the Dukes using him in a hybrid edge/OLB role, which could include a decent amount of coverage snaps. He’s slimmed down to 240 lbs prior to camp after playing last season at a listed weight just over 250 lbs, and the Dukes used him in coverage at times last fall. He’s not the most overpowering DE, but he does plenty of things at an above average level. I don’t expect him to be nearly as productive as peak Jalen Green, but he has some similarities in his game and development. I’d like to see him used creatively on third downs. 

Cole Webster joins my projected two deep. I could see the true freshman pushing Lockett for time, especially after Lockett was reduced to a reserve role in 2024. Webster is a legit prospect with major upside. He’s 290 lbs after a strong offseason, and I’m fascinated to watch his development. He’s a name to watch.

Linebackers

LB: Trent Hendrick (6’0 and 234 lbs, SR)
LB2: Jayden Studio (6’0 and 229 lbs, SO) or Drew Spinogatti (6’1 and 229 lbs, JR)

LB: Gannon Weathersby (5’10 and 222 lbs, JR)
LB2: JT Kouame-Yao (6’0 and 217 lbs, SR) or Trashon Dye (6’ and 227 lbs, R-FR)

Changes from my May depth chart

This group stays the same for me. Hendrick and Weathersby should be the clear-cut starters. Weathersby added about 15 lbs this offseason, going from the low 200s to over 220 lbs. He has star potential given his speed and added size. I’m exceptionally high on Dye’s talent and hope he sees the field in Year 2.

Defensive backs

CB: Mekhi Rodgers (6’2 and 204 lbs, SR)
CB2: Chantz Harley (6’1 and 194 lbs, R-SR)

Nickel: DJ Barksdale (5’9 and 181 lbs, JR)
Nickel2: KJ Flowe (5’10 and 178 lbs, SO)

S: Jacob Thomas (6’1 and 211 lbs, SR)
S2: Chase Regan (6’0 and 195 lbs, SO) or TJ McGill (5’10 and 198 lbs, R-SO)

S: Curtis Harris-Lopez (6’1 and 208 lbs, R-SR)
S2: Kye Holmes (5’11 and 192 lbs, R-SR) or Tyler Brown (5’11 and 194 lbs, SO)

CB: Elijah Culp (5’11 and 187 lbs, R-SR)
CB2: Justin Eaglin (6’1 and 175 lbs, R-JR)

Changes from my May depth chart

I have Culp as a projected starter now. I’m high on the Charlotte transfer’s game and think he’ll earn a starting spot during camp. Harley should still see the field regularly, as will Rodgers. The starters at safety seem straightforward, but there should be jockeying for position among the backups. I took Cincinnati transfer Ken Willis off the list now that he’s listed at safety instead of cornerback. He could easily earn time, but I want to see him break out in camp before assuming he’ll play regularly at a crowded position group.

Flowe added roughly 10 lbs this offseason and could be on the verge of stardom at nickel. The Dukes might need to find ways to play both Barksdale and Flowe at the same time. They’re too good to keep off the field, especially on clear passing downs.

I have my eye on Regan, too. The rising sophomore continues adding good weight. He’s one of the most underrated athletes on the roster and is perhaps JMU’s best special teamer.

Specialists

LS: Logan Ketcham (6’0 and 224 lbs, SR) or Josiah Kennard (6’2 and 228 lbs, R-SR)
K: Morgan Suarez (5’9 and 174 lbs, R-JR)
P: Patrick Rea (6’3 and 201 lbs, R-JR)
KR: George Pettaway and Braeden Wisloski (5’10 and 186 lbs, R-JR)
PR: Wisloski or Knight

Changes from my May depth chart

I’ve added Knight as a potential option at punt returner. While Wisloski makes a lot of sense, I’d anticipate Knight at least factoring into the competition in August.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications