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Athlon Sports
James Madison Football: 2024 Dukes Season Preview and Prediction
By Athlon Sports,
3 days ago
The last thing James Madison fans want to see is for the program to lose its momentum after coach Curt Cignetti’s departure. New coach Bob Chesney has made a great impression so far, however. JMU’s lack of returning production is concerning and might be hard to overcome initially. But if the Dukes can get within shouting distance of the kind of offensive production that Chesney had at Holy Cross (an average of more than seven yards per play), continued FBS success for the Dukes will be on the horizon.
Per new James Madison head coach Bob Chesney, roughly 96 percent of JMU’s production from last season is no longer with the program, due either to graduation or the transfer portal. Last season’s Sun Belt Coach of the Year, Curt Cignetti, is now at Indiana.
A good place to start with the changes is under center. With Sun Belt Player of the Year Jordan McCloud now at Texas State, former Washington starter Dylan Morris is settling in and should fit comfortably into Chesney’s offensive system. Chesney’s Holy Cross team averaged 37 points per game last season.
Morris won’t have to do it all though, thanks in part to a pair of high-profile transfer running backs. Former 4-star recruit George Pettaway has arrived from North Carolina, and senior Ayo Adeyi comes on board from North Texas after a 1,000-yard season in 2023. Holy Cross was one of the most effective rushing offenses in FCS last season with 6.3 yards per carry, so look for Chesney’s offense to try to establish the run.
Washington transfer QB Dylan Morris is expected to start for the Dukes in 2024.
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Previewing James Madison's Defense for 2024
The Dukes might not give the type of defensive performance that they put on in 2023, when they allowed just 2.6 yards per carry. However, there’s reason to be optimistic in 2024.
The reliance on transfers and younger players will extend to the defensive side of the ball as well. Two former 4-star recruits jump out right away.
The first is edge rusher Lloyd Summerall from USF. The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder had 21 tackles for the Bulls last season after spending his first four seasons at Florida. The second is linebacker Raymond Scott from Fresno State. Scott enters his seventh college season after four at USC and two with the Bulldogs. He had 22 tackles in eight games last season in Fresno. All that experience up front will come in handy.
New coach Bob Chesney inherits a defense that returns only two starters for 2024.
Photo&solAlan Arsenault &sol USA TODAY NETWORK
Previewing James Madison's Specialists for 2024
Redshirt senior punter Ryan Hanson was a second-team All-Sun Belt selection after averaging 40.6 yards per punt last season. Sophomore DJ Barksdale is also back as the primary kick returner this season after averaging 21.3 yards per return. JMU currently has two placekickers on the roster, neither of whom has seen college action yet.
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