Following a larger national trend, JMU football isn’t releasing an official depth chart/two deep ahead of the first week of the 2025 season. Well, we don’t like that trend!

While it’s not an official two deep, here’s our projected depth chart ahead of Saturday’s season opener against Weber State. This is quite similar to our pre-camp depth chart released about a month ago. Given the lack of information coming out of camp, it was hard to make any major changes.

Offense

QB1: Matthew Sluka (6’2 and 216 lbs, R-SR) or Alonza Barnett (6’0 and 217 lbs. R-JR)
QB2: Camden Coleman (6’3 and 223 lbs, JR)

We’re pleasantly surprised to say Barnett is cleared for contact prior to Week 1. Barnett could realistically start Saturday, and he has an NFL arm that makes it tough to keep him sidelined when he’s 100%. As for Sluka, his running ability (3,583 rushing yards during his FCS career and another 253 in three games with UNLV) means he’ll at least have a package in the offense. It won’t be a shock if he starts games this season.

Coleman might redshirt, after two years of experience at Richmond. If called upon, Coleman has the traits to win games leading a loaded offense. He was 13-1 as a starter for the Spiders.

The Dukes can’t really go wrong at QB, and JC Evans is a promising redshirt freshman with Sluka-like rushing ability.

RB1: Ayo Adeyi (5’8 and 200 lbs, R-SR) or George Pettaway (5’10 and 200 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)

The Dukes have five great options at running back. Pettaway figures to play a major role, although given his stature JMU may limit his total touches per game to ensure he makes it through the full season. Malary and Fuller are bruisers who should dominate short-yardage touches.

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

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 165 lbs, FR) or Braeden Wisloski (5’10, 186 lbs, R-JR)

I’ve moved Ellis into a starting spot. I like his game and feel like he’ll be tough to keep off the field, but all seven players listed are really good. The Dukes are deep at receiver, with guys like Dylan Williams and Jayden Mines also capable of producing if needed.

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)

I’m confused by this group, honestly. All three seem capable of starting, giving the offensive staff options at the position. I give the edge to Phifer given his meaningful experience in 2024 and added size, but the trio is solid and Kyle has the most college experience of the bunch by far.

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 313 lbs, R-JR)
LG2: JaKobe Campbell (6’3 and 282 lbs, R-FR)

C1: Zach Greenberg (6’4 and 302 lbs, R-SR)
C2: Brett Davis (6’4 and 299 lbs, R-SR)

RG1: Josh Toner (6’3 and 323 lbs, R-SR)
RG2: Riley Robell (6’3 and 291 lbs, R-SO)

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

Robell missed a significant chunk of camp returning from injury, so my expectation is that Toner starts the season at right guard.

Defense

DE: Aiden Gobaira (6’5 and 255 lbs, R-JR)
DE2: Sahir West (6’4 and 270 lbs, R-FR)

DT: Immanuel Bush (6’1 and 348 lbs, R-SR)
DT2: Kells Bush (6’3 and 311 lbs, R-JR) or Cole Webster (6’3 and 290 lbs, FR)

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

DE: Xavier Holmes (6’3 and 238 lbs, R-SR) or Amar Thomas (6’1 and 241 lbs, R-JR)
DE2: Turner Schmidt (6’4 and 244 lbs, SO)

I moved Taddeo into a starting spot and expect Amar Thomas to be used regularly at edge. I listed him as a hybrid before, and while I think he’ll be used creatively and in coverage at times, it’s safe to say he’s one of the top options at edge rusher.

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)

No changes here from previous projections. Hendrick and Weathersby should be the starters.

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

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

I’ve moved Brown into a starting position from previous projections. I think his upside and potential are the highest at the position group outside of Thomas, and I’m expecting him to grab a starting role early in the season.

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 or Knight
PR: Wisloski or Knight

Cristiano Rosa could be in the mix to handle placekicking duties, and he should handle kickoffs.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications