Having trouble tracking JMU football’s roster movement? You’re not alone! Thanks to Daniel Breeden for the idea for this article.

We’ll do our best to track the roster movement for the Dukes this offseason, focusing on scholarship players and impact walk-ons. Players with an asterisk (*) next to their name played at least 100 snaps for JMU in 2024.

Also, we’re putting any player who celebrated Senior Day under “not expected to return.” In theory, redshirt juniors like Billy Atkins IV and Taji Hudson could return for one final season. It’s possible some of those players become returners, although their participation in Senior Day suggests they won’t return.

Are we missing someone important? Shoot us a DM or comment on the article, and we’ll update the document. And as always, visit our transfer portal tracker for more detailed information on transfer recruiting.

Quarterbacks

Out of eligibility/not expected to return: Dylan Morris, Billy Atkins IV, Brett Griffis

Can return: Alonza Barnett III*, JC Evans, and Blake Kendall

Running backs

Out of eligibility/not expected to return: Tyler Purdy*

Can return: George Pettaway*, Ayo Adeyi, Wayne Knight*, and Jobi Malary

Incoming freshmen: Jackson McCarter

Transfer departures: Ke’Marion Baldwin

Wide receivers

Out of eligibility/not expected to return: Omarion Dollison*, Taji Hudson*

Can return: Cam Ross*, Yamir Knight*, Dylan Williams*, Jayden Mines, Troy Lewis, Desmond Green

Incoming freshmen: Michael Scott, Jamarcus Smith

Transfer additions: Landon Ellis (Richmond)

Transfer departures: Erick Harris, Maxwell Moss, Chris Lofton

Tight ends

Out of eligibility/not expected to return: Taylor Thompson*, Kyi Wright*, Gabe Hollingsworth, Jordan Funk

Can return: Logan Kyle*, Josh Phifer*

Incoming freshmen: Brian Hnat, Ethan Gurela

Offensive line

Out of eligibility/not expected to return: Cole Potts*, Tanner Morris*, Patrick McMurtrie*, Luke Popma

Can return: Josh Toner*, Riley Robell*, Carter Sweazie*, Joseph Simmons*, Quincy Jenkins, Brett Davis, Hunter McClain, JaKobe Campbell, Jacob Hohenshelt, Griffin Hart, Breon Brown, Deacon Rawls, Evan Bushong, Kyle Lenhart, and Cameron Jones

Incoming freshmen: Trent Wilson, JD Rayner, Parker Cunningham

Transfer departures: Jesse Ramil* (Mississippi State) and Tyshawn Wyatt

Defensive line

Out of eligibility/not expected to return: Khairi Manns*, Chris Fitzgerald*, Lloyd Summerall*, Brian Snow

Can return: Immanuel Bush*, Amar Thomas*, Terry Lockett Jr*, Mychal McMullin*, Sahir West, Samson Ogunade, Marcellus Nash, D.J. Cotton Jr., Treyvon Adams

Incoming freshmen: Cole Webster, Roy’Marr Thomas, Jerald James, Grayson Gilmore 

Transfer departures: Darold DeNgohe* (Rutgers) and Eric O’Neill*

Transfer additions: Lacota Dippre (Charlotte)

Linebackers

Out of eligibility/not expected to return: Jacob Dobbs*, Taurus Jones*, Ray Scott*, Brandon Fique

Can return: Trent Hendrick*, Gannon Weathersby*, Trashon Dye, Immanuel Ezeogu

Transfer additions: JT Kouame-Yao (Shepherd)

Cornerbacks

Out of eligibility/not expected to return: Terrence Spence*, Jordan Taylor*

Can return: Chauncey Logan*, Justin Eaglin*, Antoine Booth, Evan Spivey, Trevell Mullen, Tyjai Hopper, Milt Ferguson

Incoming freshmen: Roddrey McWilliams

Transfer additions: Mekhi Rodgers (St. Francis), Jamir Conn (Southern Illinois)

Transfer departures: Kalin Jean

Safeties/nickels

Out of eligibility/not expected to return: Chris Shearin*, Ja’Kai Young, Ray Williams*

Can return: Jacob Thomas*, DJ Barksdale*, KJ Flowe*, Kye Holmes*, Chase Regan, Phillip Harris, Tyler Brown

Incoming freshmen: Kai Callen, Seth Gathers

Kickers/punters

Out of eligibility/not expected to return: Ryan Hanson

Can return: Noe Ruelas, Max Lipiniski, Cristiano Rosa, Jack Mowrey, Logan Ketcham

Transfer departures: Andrew VanSlyke

Transfer additions: Lexington Matthews (Savannah State)

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications