Image provided by: JMU Athletics Communications
Written by Bennett Conlin
It’s not always easy to track the transfer portal season, so we created this page as a place to keep an eye on players joining (and leaving) JMU football during the offseason. We will update this page regularly and aim to add transfers and provide a more detailed analysis of departures with additional articles.
transfer returner
These players entered the portal but ultimately decided to remain at JMU.
Chauncey Logan, CB – Logan, who was a two-year starter at JMU, played in 10 games as CB1 for the Dukes in 2022 and 12 games this season, totaling 59 tackles and 2 INTs. He’s an important returner and likely a starter on a defense that expects to have a lot of turnovers. Logan’s junior season will come with a lot of personal hype.
Tyshawn Wyatt, OL – JMU’s starting left tackle appeared in 34 games for the Dukes during his career and was a standout contributor up front. Although he is a Power Five talent, he chose to return to Harrisonburg. That’s a big win for Bob Chesney.
Wayne Knight, RB – Knight announced his intention to transfer via social media on October 16th. Knight had 74 receiving yards and 15 rushing yards in 1.5 seasons in Harrisonburg. He opted out of the portal in December, giving the Dukes additional running back depth in 2024.
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Tyler Purdy, RB, Holy Cross – Purdy ran for 435 yards on just 59 attempts (7.4 yards per carry) in 2023, giving the Crusaders solid depth at running back. He also caught 14 passes for 166 yards last season. He has one year of eligibility left, so keep an eye on Purdy as he competes for time in the running back rotation in 2024.
Jacob Dobbs, LB, Holy Cross – Dobbs will play his final season of college football in Harrisonburg. Considered an elite leader and teammate, Dobbs is also a great tackler at the linebacker position. Dobbs has 432 career tackles, including 123 in nine games in 2023. Dobbs also has 46.5 total tackles, 22.5 sacks and four interceptions.
Dobbs is projected to be a starter at JMU in 2024.
WATCH | Jacob Dobbs spoke to us about his transfer process and visit to JMU before announcing his decision.
Patrick McMurtry, OL, Holy Cross – McMurtry, a graduate transfer, came to JMU after earning All-Patriot League second-team honors in 2023. He has great experience and size (6-foot-6, 300 pounds) and played right tackle for the Crusaders last season. He is familiar with Bob Chesney’s coaching style and could be an immediate starter for the Dukes.
Jesse Ramil, OL, St. Francis – In three years in college, Ramil has appeared in 20 games, including four as a freshman, seven in 2022, and 10 in 2023. Ramil, a native of Binghamton, New York, will have a chance to be part of the OL after a possible transfer.
Transfer departure
Kurt Cignetti, HC – The Dukes head coach is reportedly leaving JMU for Indiana. He compiled a 52-9 record as JMU’s head coach.
Mike Shanahan, Bryant Haynes, Tino Sunseri, coaches – JMU’s OC, DC and QB coaches will all follow Cignetti to Indiana. All three coaches have contributed to JMU’s recent success and player development, particularly the Dukes’ offense and quarterback play in Shanahan and Sunseri.
Other coaches, e.g. DL Coach Pat Kuntz and strength coach derek owingsalso leaves.
Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana – Fisher developed into a standout player for the Dukes in 2023, recording a team-high 91 tackles, including seven pass breakups and a blocked punt. Fisher is a special athlete and played the role of a Power Five player throughout the 2023 campaign.
Jaylin Walker, LB, Indiana – Walker has started 30 career games for the Dukes and is one of the best linebackers in the Sun Belt. He’s been plagued by injuries this year, but he’s made an impact as soon as he’s back on the field. In his career at JMU, he recorded 136 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles.
Tyler Stevens, OL, Indiana – The 6-5, 306-pound junior offensive lineman played in 35 games for the Dukes during his career. Stevens was a versatile lineman who played left tackle, left guard, and right tackle.
Kaylon Black, RB, Indiana – The Dukes’ leading rusher announced he would follow Cininetti to Indiana. Black started 11 games and appeared in all 12 games last season, rushing for 594 yards on 4.5 yards per carry. During his career, he rushed for 1,262 yards with 5 yards per carry and 10 total touchdowns.
Michael Kamara, Delaware, Indiana – Kamara enters the portal with two years of eligibility remaining (he missed 2021 with an injury and has another year due to COVID-19). The Ashburn, Virginia, native played in 23 games over three seasons, recording 82 tackles, 26.5 TFL, and 13.5 sacks. Kamara set career highs in TFLs (17.5), sacks (6.5) and forced fumbles (4) last season.
Kamara announced his intention to opt out of the bowl game and follow Cininetti to Indiana.
Ty Son Lawton, RB, Indiana – The former Stony Brook transfer will spend his seventh year of eligibility at Indiana. He rushed for 568 yards and five touchdowns at JMU in 2023.
James Carpenter, DL, Indiana – Carpenter, a mainstay on the defensive line, joined the Dukes in 2019. Since then, he has recorded 136 tackles, 28 TFL, 11.5 sacks, two interceptions, and 11 pass deflections at the line. His ability inside allowed players like Michail Kamara and Jalen Green to rush the passer on the outside.
Zach Horton, TE, Indiana – An excellent blocker and strong receiver, Horton scored six touchdowns for the Dukes in 2023. He follows Cignetti to Indiana.
Nick Kidwell, OL, Indiana – If Carpenter was the centerpiece of the defense, Kidwell was the centerpiece of the offense. The monster tackle suffered a season-ending injury in 2023, but if he has a healthy 2024 at Indiana, he could be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was very productive at JMU.
Carter Miller, OL, ULM – Miller announced on social media that he would opt out of the bowl game and transfer to ULM. He’s staying in the Sunbelt.
Kaden Schickel, LS, Michigan – The Dukes’ starting long snapper will enter the portal and head to the Big Ten to join the Spartans.
Elijah Surratt, WR, Indiana – The 1,000-yard receiver has entered the portal and is following Curt Cignetti to Indiana. He also had offers from other Power Five schools, including South Carolina.
Jordan McCloud, QB – Sun Belt Player of the Year with over 3,700 yards and 40 total touchdowns enters transfer portal. He confirmed his intention to enter the portal on social media.
Brent Austin, CB – Austin, a rotational player at CB, has 12 tackles and one interception returned for a TD this season.
Taurus Jones, LB – Jones struggled with injuries in 2023, but had a big 2022 season with 82 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 5 pass breakups. He is in the portal as a graduate transfer.
Abi Nwabuoku Okonji, DL – The former Minnesota transfer suffered a season-ending injury in JMU’s first game of the year. He was expected to be a rotational defensive end in 2023, but finished with 5.5 tackles for loss in 2022. He announced on social media that he will be joining the portal as a graduate.
Desmond Green, WR – The wide receiver was not a big contributor for the Dukes, but he joined the portal with two years of eligibility remaining.
Ibrahim Barry, WR – The freshman wide receiver did not see the field for the Dukes in 2023.