Image courtesy of 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.
According to Mike Barber of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, JMU expects most, if not all, players in the portal to participate in the program’s first bowl game. According to Dave Riggert, DL Michail Kamara and OL Carter Miller have opted out of the Armed Forces Bowl on December 23rd. All other his JMU players in the portal are expected to play.
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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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. He is the second linebacker to enter the portal after Taurus Jones.
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 – announced that the Dukes’ leading rusher will be entering the portal. 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. He enters the portal with his two years of eligibility remaining.
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. The second-team All-Sun Belt player enters the portal as a graduate transfer and is available to play immediately.
Zach Horton, TE, Indiana – A good blocker and strong receiver, Horton scored six touchdowns for the Dukes in 2023. He is one of the underrated stars of the JMU offense. ESPN reported Horton’s addition to the portal.
Carter Miller, OL, ULM – Miller, a redshirt freshman offensive lineman, started nine games on the offensive line in 2023. He has a bright future ahead of him in this position.
Miller announced on social media that he would opt out of the bowl game and transfer to ULM. He’s staying in the Sunbelt.
Elijah Surratt, WR – The 1,000-yard receiver entered the portal. After transferring to JMU from St. Francis, he destroyed Sun Belt defenses along the way, catching 74 passes for 1,076 yards and eight touchdowns. He said JMU is still an option, but with recent rulings upholding multiple transfers like Surratt, he said he’s testing the transfer portal.
Kaden Schickel, LS – The Dukes’ starting long snapper is in the portal.
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.
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 would be entering the portal as a graduate transfer.