JMU football, like every college football program this time of year, is highly engaged in the transfer portal as it looks to build its 2025 roster. While we have our transfer portal tracker available throughout this month, we also thought it might be helpful to occasionally share news and notes related to the portal. 

Here’s our Dec. 20 edition of “JMU Transfer Portal Intel.”

Transfer Visits 

Charlotte DE Lacota Dippre told us he’s visiting JMU this weekend. The 6’3, 255-pound edge is highly skilled and has multiple years of eligibility left. He posted 25 tackles and 3 TFLs in 2024, posting a 73.4 PFF grade. His grade was the second-best of any Charlotte defender. 

Dippre would add value as a potential multiple year contributor, and a possible 2025 rotational edge. The Dukes are losing both Khairi Manns and Lloyd Summerall to graduation, creating a void at the position. Dippre could help fill some of those snaps. 

On3 and 24/7 Sports both reported that Louisville RB Maurice Turner is visiting JMU this weekend, too. Turner (5’9 and 190 lbs) has 154 career carries for 734 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. He also caught 24 catches for 167 yards during his career and had a 50-yard kickoff return in 2023. He’d add great depth to an already deep position group. 

Maryland DB Chantz Harley will also visit JMU this weekend, he tells us. Harley posted a solid 66.8 PFF grade this year for the Terps in 185 snaps. He’s a potential 2025 impact player at CB.

Wisconsin QB Cole LaCrue is on campus, he shared on social media. The Wisconsin backup has three years of eligibility left and is a promising young prospect. 

Southern Illinois CB Jamir Conn tells us he’s visiting JMU this weekend. Conn is one of the more productive FCS corners available in the portal, finishing 2024 with 57 tackles and six pass breakups as a sophomore. 

Tusculum WR Za’Ron Collins, who had 10 catches for over 200 yards in just four games in 2024, is visiting as well. He shared his visit on social media.

We’d expect others in Harrisonburg this weekend. Could a second QB be on campus? We’re monitoring. Former Holy Cross/UNLV QB Matthew Sluka has visited Liberty and Memphis this transfer cycle, as several top G5 programs are courting Bob Chesney’s former starting QB. 

Notes

The Dukes have been in contact with several starting caliber QBs, per sources. It’s unclear how many offers the Dukes have made to those players, but they’re certainly keeping an eye on the QB market. With Alonza Barnett’s leg injury potential lingering into the spring and summer (and maybe fall of 2025), the Dukes are seemingly looking for guys who can at least compete with Barnett to open the 2025 season as QB1. 

JMU wants to add DB help, especially at CB. The Dukes will lose Terrence Spence and Jordan Taylor to graduation, so it makes sense that they’re looking for experienced help at the position. Key returners at the position include Chauncey Logan and Justin Eaglin. They’ve offered numerous corners in recent days, and Holy Cross safety Curtis Harris-Lopez is a top target.

JMU made an early push for Kennesaw State TE Carson Kent, who recently visited Harrisonburg. P4 programs are seeing Kent’s talent, though, with West Virginia and Oklahoma recently offering the standout TE. JMU may have to look elsewhere (or rely on the current roster with guys like Logan Kyle and Josh Phifer returning) for a TE to help replace Taylor Thompson’s production. Charlotte TE Colin Weber is a name to monitor.

Committed transfers

JMU has landed Richmond WR Landon Ellis, who had 50 catches for more than 500 yards in 2024. We caught up with Ellis, who didn’t visit any other school. The Virginia native with family connections at JMU was quickly sold on the school. Catch our interview with him here. 

We also connected with Lexington Matthews, a transfer punter joining the Dukes. Matthews is likely the replacement for this year’s starting punter Ryan Hanson, who is graduating. That interview can be found here. 

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications