Image courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications
By Bennett Conlin
Has anyone else seen a series of “JMU offered!” tweets in their social media timelines this week? If you’re anything like us, you’re having trouble keeping track of the many transfer players being offered a spot on JMU football’s 2024 roster by Bob Chesney and company.
We’re making this page in hopes of better remembering all of JMU’s transfer portal targets. It’ll likely be a bit of a mess, but hopefully it’s also a fun resource for recruiting die-hards. Transfers who have committed to JMU will be monitored on our transfer portal tracker instead of this page.
Quarterback
The Dukes haven’t publicly offered a transfer portal quarterback yet.
Running back
My civil litigation team won’t like that I’m saying this, but stay tuned for running back updates.
Wide receiver
Jamoi Mayes, Chattanooga – Mayes caught 62 passes for 1,037 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. He’s one of just 10 FCS receivers to eclipse 1,000 yards this season. He has one season of eligibility left.
Isaiah Alston, Army – Army doesn’t throw the ball much, but Alston proved to be one of the program’s most dynamic receivers. He has 49 career receptions for 1,031 yards and six touchdowns. He’s averaged 21 yards per catch over his career. Alston has two years of eligibility.
Terez Traynor, Idaho – Traynor began his career at Western Kentucky and was productive for Idaho in 2023, catching 24 passes for 370 yards and two touchdowns. He has one year of eligibility left.
Jaylen Varner, Emporia State – The Division II prospect caught 90 passes for 1,008 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023. He’ll be on an FBS team in 2024, which will be his final college season.
Fred Farrier, UAB – Farrier snagged 18 catches for 266 yards and a touchdown in 2023. He’s been offered by several G5 programs, including a few in the Sun Belt. Farrier has two years of eligibility left, and he told JMU Sports News he plans to visit campus in early January.
Reginald Harden Jr, Benedict College – Harden Jr. has elite size (6’4″), and he’s been offered by numerous Sun Belt schools as well as Oklahoma State.
Tight ends
Cole Rusk, Murray State – The Racers didn’t do much well in 2023, going just 2-9. Rusk was a bright spot, however, catching 39 passes for 507 yards and six touchdowns, all team highs. He’s 6’6” and 250 lbs, and Power Five teams will be seeking Rusk’s services. He has two years of eligibility.
Tyler Foster, Ohio – Foster has 33 catches for 396 yards and four touchdowns over the last two seasons for one of the better MAC programs. He’s 6’5” and 250 lbs, and he’s one of many JMU targets with Power Five offers. He has one year of eligibility.
Rico Walker, Maryland – A former four-star prospect, Walker caught four passes for 27 yards in one season with the Terps. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
Offensive line
Mike Barr, Lafayette – Barr was a First Team All-Patriot League player in 2023, and his team won the conference over Holy Cross. He’s played multiple spots across the offensive line and started 25 career games. He has one year of eligibility left.
Defensive line
Elijah Hills, Albany – The defensive lineman (6’2” and 280 lbs) has 59 tackles, including 16.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons. Albany had one of the best defenses in the FCS in 2023. Hills has one year of eligibility left.
Terry Lockett, Syracuse – A three-year player with Syracuse, Lockett (6’3” and 280 lbs) tallied 25 tackles, including three tackles for loss in 2023. He also recovered three fumbles. Lockett has two seasons of eligibility.
Mateen Ibirogba, Georgetown – In two seasons with Georgetown, Ibirogba recorded 48 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss. At 6’4” and 250 lbs, Ibirogba could play on the edge for the Dukes. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Kanious Vaughn, UTEP – Vaughn began his career at the JUCO ranks, and he performed well for UTEP in 2023. The defensive end (6’2” and 225 lbs) finished the season with 19 tackles, including six sacks. He has two years of eligibility left.
Tavion Woodard, Ball State – Woodard has played an important defensive role for Ball State the last three seasons, with his most productive statistical season coming in 2021 (8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks). Woodard is listed at 6’4″ and 265 lbs, and he has one year of eligibility left. He’d help fill a need at defensive end.
Linebackers
Stay tuned for updates.
Defensive backs
Terry Jones, ODU – A safety for the Monarchs, Jones made 107 tackles in 2023 and earned Sun Belt Honorable Mention. He would be an immediate projected starter at safety. He has one year of eligibility left.
Marquise Robinson, South Alabama – The cornerback recorded 36 tackles and three interceptions for the Jaguars in 2023. One of the interceptions came in South Alabama’s blowout win over Oklahoma State. He had four tackles against JMU. He has one year of eligibility left.
Jordyn Morgan, UNLV – Morgan, who began his career at Iowa State, was a standout for the Rebels in 2022 but only played one game in 2023. He has two years of eligibility left.
Thomas Anderson, UNLV – A former JUCO player, Anderson recorded 20 tackles and an interception over one season with UNLV. He has two years of eligibility left.
Jevon McIver Jr, Austin Peay – McIver began his career at Lenoir-Rhyne before transferring to Austin Peay for the 2023 season. He finished the year with 61 tackles, 12 pass breakups, and an interception. He’s attracted offers from several G5 programs.
Chris Shearin, UConn – Shearin began his career at Missouri before two solid seasons with the Huskies. He recorded 82 tackles, 13 pass breakups, and four interceptions in two years with UConn. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
Specialists
No public offers quite yet. The Dukes have Ryan Hanson returning at punter, but could look for a placekicker or long snapper.
Offered players who committed to JMU
Patrick McMurtrie (Holy Cross, OL), Jesse Ramil (St. Francis, OL), and Jacob Dobbs (Holy Cross, LB).
Read more about JMU’s transfer portal additions on our transfer portal tracking page.
Offered players who committed elsewhere
Jayden Brown, RB – A Garnder-Webb transfer, Brown committed to UConn.
2024-01-03 22:50:06
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