JMU football isn’t releasing official depth charts this season, but we’ll give our best shot at estimating the Dukes’ unofficial depth chart — at least during the first few weeks of the season.

A Week 1 win over Weber State brought with it a few surprises, notably Wayne Knight starting at running back after we projected him as low as fifth on the depth chart. Turns out, a stellar offseason and 22 mph speed (!) have Knight in the mix to be the Dukes’ No. 1 back.

Here’s how we project the Dukes’ lineup going into Friday’s game with Louisville.

Offense

QB: Alonza Barnett (6’0 and 217 lbs. R-JR)
QB2: Matthew Sluka (6’2 and 216 lbs, R-SR)

RB: Wayne Knight (5’7 and 190 lbs, R-JR) or George Pettaway (5’10 and 200 lbs, R-JR)
RB3/4: Jobi Malary (5’11 and 236 lbs, R-SR) or Ayo Adeyi (5’8 and 200 lbs, R-SR)

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

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

WR: Michael Scott (5’9 and 165 lbs, FR
WR2: Jaylan Sanchez (6’ and 195 lbs, SR) or Braeden Wisloski (5’10, 186 lbs, R-JR)

TE: Logan Kyle (6’3 and 234 lbs, R-SR)
TE2: Lacota Dippre (6’4 and 253 lbs, R-SO)

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

LG: Carter Sweazie (6’2 and 313 lbs, R-JR)
LG2: Trent Wilson (6’4 and 299 lbs, FR)

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

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

RT: Patrick McMurtrie (6’5 and 305 lbs, GR)
RT2: Deacon Rawls (6’5 and 310 lbs, R-FR) or Cam McNair (6’5 and 335 lbs, SR)

McNair not playing in the opener was a surprise. He’s an All-Patriot League player with far more experience than Rawls. Will he be available Friday?

Barnett is QB1 to begin the season, given his arm talent and ability to read defenses. Sluka’s athleticism and power running ability means he’ll likely see the field in every JMU game this fall as a change-of-pace QB.

At wide receiver, there’s still plenty of competition for snaps.

Davis outplayed Greenberg in Week 1, but both centers are good players and may rotate for stretches this fall. Robell didn’t start at right guard in Week 1, but as he returns from injury it is likely he’ll take over as the starter with Toner a great rotational guard option.

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: Andrew Taddeo (6’ and 291 lbs, SR) or Kells Bush (6’3 and 311 lbs, R-JR)

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

DE: Amar Thomas (6’1 and 241 lbs, R-JR)
DE2: Xavier Holmes (6’3 and 238 lbs, R-SR)

LB: Trent Hendrick (6’0 and 234 lbs, SR)
LB2: 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) — when available, he missed the season opener for an unknown reason)

CB: Justin Eaglin (6’1 and 175 lbs, R-JR) or Elijah Culp (5’11 and 187 lbs, R-SR)
CB3: Ken Willis (5’11 and 185 lbs, R-JR)

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

SS: Jacob Thomas (6’1 and 211 lbs, SR)
SS2: Curtis Harris-Lopez (6’1 and 208 lbs, R-SR)

FS: Tyler Brown (5’11 and 194 lbs, SO)
FS2: Chase Regan (6’0 and 195 lbs, SO) or TJ McGill (5’10 and 198 lbs, R-SO)

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

The Dukes are especially deep along the defensive line and at safety. The cornerback position looked good against Weber State, but Louisville presents a much stiffer test. JMU’s starting linebackers are among the best in the Sun Belt, but with Jayden Studio and Kouame-Yao not playing in Week 1, there are major questions about depth at the position.

Specialists

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

The Dukes love them some Wayne Knight!

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications