JMU football’s 2027 recruiting class is taking shape. 

Here’s a closer look at the Dukes’ first high school recruiting class built by coach Billy Napier. 

Offensive commits

Tyler Maddock, OL — A 6’9 and 290-pound in-state prospect (Yorktown, VA), Maddock held notable offers from Syracuse and Old Dominion. Billy Napier seems to love giant offensive linemen, and you won’t find many taller than Maddock available.

Matthew Baer, QB — A 3-star prospect from Georgia, ECU and ODU also offered the 6’3 and 215-pound quarterback. 

DJ Hunter, QB — One of the Dukes’ most intriguing commits, Hunter had several P4 offers (Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Ole Miss, etc). Originally a Kentucky commit, Hunter is a 6’2 standout from Georgia. He could develop into a Sun Belt standout down the road, given his impressive traits and offer list.

Donte Dent Jr., WR — At 6’4 and 170 lbs, Dent has an excellent frame to develop into a Group of 6 contributor. The Chesapeake, Virginia, native was offered by Virginia Tech, Pitt, and others. He’s one of the Dukes’ best additions in the 2027 class.

Camden Simmons, WR — The 5’10 and 170-pound wide receiver from Springfield is a 3-star prospect. Wake Forest, App State, and ECU were among the notable programs to offer Simmons. 

Jayven Williams, RB — A South Carolina running back with elite production, Williams stands at 5’7 and 165 lbs. He gives off some Wayne Knight vibes, although he had a much better list of offers coming out of high school. Florida State and Wake Forest both offered him.

Greg Thomas II, OL — JMU’s FBS success means the Dukes can bring in college-ready linemen. That shows in the 2027 class, as Thomas is listed at 6’3 and 330 lbs. He’s one of many incoming Dukes who have the size needed to transition to college quickly. Boston College, Duke, and Pitt were among the other schools to offer him. 

Nori White, OL — Speaking of big linemen, White is 6’5 and 360 lbs. The North Carolina prospect was recruited by UNC and Syracuse.

Michael Glover, TE — The 6’3 and 225-pound tight end is from Bryan Schor’s home state of Pennsylvania. He played at Wilson High School, an established program about an hour northwest of Philadelphia. 

Josiah Guiro-Stretching, OL — Billy Napier loves giant offensive linemen. Guiro-Stretching is 6’7 and 335 lbs, and UConn was among the other programs recruiting the unheralded lineman.

Hayes Brawner, TE — A 6’6 and 245-pound prospect from Raleigh, North Carolina, Brawner held notable offers from Boston College and Troy. 

Joseph McFarland, OL — At 6’6 and 275 lbs, McFarland has good height to fill into his frame. The prospect from Virginia Beach flipped his commitment to JMU from William & Mary.

Simon Fassberg, QB — An unheralded recruit, Fassberg (6’4 and 225 lbs) plays his high school football in New Jersey. He’s an intriguing developmental prospect.

Defensive commits

Michael Gibbs, DT — Gibbs, who is 6’3 and 335 lbs, picked the Dukes over Temple and others. The in-state prospect has the size and strength to develop into a solid Sun Belt defensive tackle.

Xzavier Whittington, DT — A 6’2 and 325-pound prospect from Maryland, Whittington is a 3-star recruit who had P4 interest, including from Virginia Tech. He has the size to contribute early in his college career. 

Evander Davis, S — The 6′ and 170-pound safety comes to JMU from Grimsley High School in North Carolina. That’s where former JMU QB Alonza Barnett went to HS. 

Brayden Oshode, CB — An in-state commit from Aldie, Oshode also held offers from Army, Navy, ODU, and UConn, among others.

Antwan Hollman, EDGE — The Ohio native was a top target among MAC schools, but the Dukes won the recruiting battle.

Da’Von McDougle, LB — Another Ohio prospect, McDougle (6′ and 225 lbs) was offered by Louisville and a host of MAC programs.

Dre’Keim Abercrombie, DE — The Dukes stayed in Ohio to get Abercrombie (6’4 and 215 lbs), who 247 Sports lists as a tight end. He tells us he’ll play defensive line for the Dukes.

George “Juice” Richards, LB — The 6’1 and 205-pound prospect from New York held offers from Boise State, Tulane, and Syracuse, among others. 

Decommits

These players were verbally committed and then opted not to join the Dukes. 

Eisa Nealy, WR — The 5’11 and 185-pound WR from Philadelphia had an unusual decommitment process. His HS coach publicly called out Billy Napier before deleting the tweet, implying that Nealy’s offer was pulled.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications