JMU football hasn’t had a player picked in the NFL draft since quarterback Ben DiNucci was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. Will that drought end in 2025? Don’t count on it.

No Dukes — well, at least players who ended their respective careers at JMU — received anything close to a draftable grade from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler in his annual draft guide, known as “The Beast.”

Indiana linebacker Jailin Walker, however, is listed as a seventh-round prospect. Walker played at JMU before ending his career with Curt Cignetti in Indiana. Antwane Wells Jr. (Ole Miss WR) and James Carpenter (Indiana DT) are among the other former Dukes who could be drafted this week, but will more than likely end up as undrafted free agents (UDFAs).

Even if any 2024 Dukes don’t hear their names called in this year’s NFL draft, which starts Thursday and ends Saturday, it’s likely that at least a few will sign as undrafted free agents or have mini camp invites/tryouts with teams. Here’s a closer look at the draft eligible JMU players with the best chance of either being drafted or making NFL rosters this offseason as undrafted signees.

Terrence Spence, CB

The case for Spence being drafted or landing on an NFL roster is obvious. He produced at both JMU and Holy Cross, and he’s a special teams machine.

Spence had five interceptions for JMU in 2024, and a pair of blocked kicks. He finished his career with eight blocks, and that special teams ability is highly valued at the NFL level. Yes, Spence could add depth at cornerback for an NFL franchise, but his ability to contribute on special teams is what gives him his best chance of landing with a team.

He doesn’t have blinding speed, but a 4.52 40-yard dash time coupled with a 40-inch vertical leap shows he has enough athleticism to play professionally.

CB rank in The Beast: 64th

Jacob Dobbs, LB

A good teammate and leader, Dobbs also has impressive athleticism. He landed on The Athletic’s preseason college football “Freaks List” for his combination of speed (4.62 40-yard dash) and strength.

He was a star at Holy Cross before a decent season at JMU, which included 74 tackles in nine games, but he doesn’t have crazy length or experience at the Power Four level. Those concerns will likely keep him from being drafted, given the volume of athletic P4 linebackers available in the draft — Walker ran a 4.4 in the 40 and is better in coverage than Dobbs, for example — but the tackling machine should land either a tryout or UDFA deal.

LB rank in The Beast: 81st

Cole Potts, G

A longtime JMU offensive lineman, Potts doesn’t have incredible speed or length, but he’s a durable guard with a track record of production at the G5 level. He was a reliable option and leader for JMU and has a decent shot of landing an UDFA deal or a tryout.

G rank in The Beast: 85th

Omarion Dollison, WR

With 4.45 speed and proven experience hitting big plays for the Dukes, Dollison might intrigue a team as a potential UDFA. Dollison surprised 600 receiving yards in 2024, averaging more than 17 yards per catch and reaching the end zone six times. He’s a home-run hitter.

WR rank in The Beast: 90th

Khairi Manns, DE

Manns played for three college programs (Maine, Colorado, and JMU) and he dominated at two of them. While he didn’t play a ton at Colorado, he showed he had Power Four-level talent in 2024 with the Dukes. Manns finished the season with 66 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, and nine sacks.

He likely won’t be drafted, but he’s a gifted edge rusher who deserves a tryout or undrafted free agent deal.

DE rank in The Beast: 105th

Chris Fitzgerald, DT

The Youngstown State transfer was a breath of fresh air for the Dukes in 2024. He finished the season with 31 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. The 300-pound tackle doesn’t have a ton of length, but he’s a proven run stopper at the FCS and G5 levels. He’s also a beloved locker room presence and leader.

He should earn an UDFA deal or tryout.

DT rank in The Beast: 130th

Ryan Hanson, P

Hanson’s 2023 was better than his 2024 in terms of pinning teams inside their own 20, but he’s still been one of the Sun Belt’s top punters since joining the Dukes two seasons ago. He’s capable of earning a spot on a team via a tryout.

Punter rank in The Beast: unranked

Jordan Taylor, CB

Taylor can fly (4.3 in the 40), but he only played one season at the Division I level and was a rotational CB for the Dukes. He tallied 25 tackles and five pass breakups for the Dukes in 2024, but it’s nearly impossible for undersized CBs (5-10 and 175 lbs) with minimal FBS experience to be drafted unless they’re putting up insane stats.

Still, Taylor’s speed warrants an invite to a tryout, if nothing else.

CB rank in The Beast: unranked

Other names to consider: DE Lloyd Summerall, LB Raymond Scott

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications