Image courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications
By Bennett Conlin
Keeping track of the transfer portal and high school recruiting can be a massive challenge. It’s even harder given the lack of consistent national recruiting coverage for Group of Five teams.
To make life a little easier for JMU football die-hard fans, we’ll aim to track JMU’s 2024 high school recruiting class in this one document. We’ll create a 2024 transfer portal tracker later in the fall.
Decommitments
With Cignetti leaving to Indiana, JMU may lose some members of the 2024 class.
Jah Jah Boyd, CB – This was a big commitment at the time. Boyd was the highest-rated high schooler to ever commit to JMU. A Pennsylvania prospect, Boyd held offers from Penn State, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and Boston College.
Alberto Mendoza, QB – The first quarterback of JMU’s 2024 class, Mendoza was offered by ECU, App State, and Charlotte, among other teams. The prospect from Miami is viewed as a 3-star recruit by 24/7 Sports.
Daniel Ndukwe, EDGE – A talented defensive end from Georgia, Ndukwe also held offers from App State, Coastal Carolina, Memphis, Tulane, and UCF, among others. He still considers JMU a top potential option, as do others who decommitted.
Keenan Phillips, RB – Phillips announced his commitment over Instagram, picking JMU over App State, Boston College, NC State, Troy, and Tulane, among other offers. The talented running back from Georgia is extremely shift, often eluding defenders in tight spaces. He’s capable of returning kicks in addition to playing running back.
Mario Landino, DL – The first defensive lineman to commit to JMU’s 2024 recruiting class, Landino is a tremendous player. The Dukes continued their solid recruiting in Pennsylvania, adding a player with nice size (6’4″ and 255 lbs). Landino picked JMU over a bunch of other schools, including Coastal Carolina, Rutgers, and UConn. He considers JMU a top option.
Offensive additions
Nate Crosby Jr., RB – Marshall and Charlotte were among the schools to recruit the North Carolina product. He’ll join a JMU program with a strong recent history at the running back position. He’s a versatile player who can run and catch.
Deacon Rawls, OL – West Virginia, Temple, Charlotte, and Army all offered Rawls, a Virginia Beach product. Listed at 6’5″ and 315 lbs, Rawls has great size and talent. He’s a nice addition for the Dukes.
Evan Bushong, OL – JMU recruits Pennsylvania well, and Bushong plays in the Harrisburg area. He was offered by Army, as well as several Ivy League schools. He’s listed at 6’3″ and 295 lbs.
Kobe Campbell, OL – The Dukes have done well to add unheralded recruits before they blow up, and Campbell might fit that mold. He had offers from a few FCS schools in addition to JMU, but he recently competed in camps at Florida and Duke, earning top OL performer during his trip to Duke. Campbell, who is from North Carolina, is a nice get for JMU.
Defensive additions
Bryson Banks, LB – Banks is undersized at about 5’9″, but he has tremendous potential. UCF, UConn, Navy, and Army were among the schools to offer Banks. If he was a few inches taller, he’d likely be a target of numerous Power Five teams. He plays his high school football in Georgia.
Anthony Walker, LB – JMU added Walker, a North Carolina prospect. Like Banks, he has a ton of potential. He’s a bit taller at 6-feet tall, and he also had a nice list of offers that included App State and Charlotte. Walker was also courted by several of JMU’s former CAA peers, including Richmond and Delaware.
Immanuel Ezeogu, LB – At 6’3″, Ezeogu could develop into an edge rusher if needed. The prospect from Virginia was fixated on attending JMU throughout the recruiting process, according to the DNR.
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