Image courtesy of JMU Athletic Communications
By Bennett Conlin
Given the amount of activity in the transfer portal over the winter, we thought it would be easier to keep track of JMU Football's spring portal activity in a new tracker. Here is a link to the winter tracker.
Transfer Addition
Chris Shearin, DB, University of Connecticut – A native of Suffolk, Virginia, Shearin began his collegiate career at the University of Missouri before transferring to the University of Connecticut ahead of the 2022 season. Over the past two seasons with the Huskies, he has recorded 82 tackles, four interceptions, 13 pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
Jakai Young, DB, Gardner Webb – Young will be joining JMU after being named All-OVC First Team in 2023 where he recorded 41 tackles and two interceptions. He’s an athletic cornerback/nickel with a decent build at 6-foot, 180 pounds who will help fill the hole left by D’Angelo Pons, who has one more year of eligibility remaining.
Christopher Fitzgerald, DT, Youngstown State University – Fitzgerald committed to Eastern Michigan University in late April, but reversed his decision about a week later and enrolled at JMU. Fitzgerald was listed at 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds last season at Youngstown State, and the interior defensive lineman was highly productive in the top FCS league, recording 65 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and five sacks over the past two seasons.
Fitzgerald has one more season of eligibility left and should help fill the void left by Tyrick Tucker.
Amarian Granger, WR, Old Dominion – Granger will remain at Virginia and commit to the Dukes after playing at ODU in 2022 and 2023. He caught 15 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown in 2023. Coming out of high school, Granger played wide receiver and quarterback and received several Power Five offers. He will join a talented roster of wide receivers at JMU.
Kaili Manns, LB, Maine/Colorado – Munns began his collegiate career at Maine State where he recorded 108 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks in 26 games. He then played one season at Colorado State under head coach Deion Sanders where he recorded nine tackles and one sack.
Bryon Penney, WR, San Diego State University – JMU has a deep talent pool at wide receiver, and Penny brings impressive height to the team. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver caught 24 passes for 290 yards and one touchdown in 2023, which is decent considering San Diego State had one of the worst passing attacks in the country in 2023. He ranked third on the team in receiving yards and should have a good chance to work his way into JMU's rotation.
He has one more season of eligibility and is likely to contribute in some capacity, and he's also a capable kick and punt returner and could be a productive player on special teams.
Jordan Taylor, DB, Tusculum Taylor, a Division II transfer student, adds depth at defensive back. He recorded 32 tackles and three interceptions last season at the Division II level. He also competed on the track team, so his speed makes him an intriguing addition. He has a sub-4.4 second time in the 40-yard dash, suggesting he could be a valuable weapon on special teams.
Transfer departure
Tyrick Tucker, DL, Indiana – The defensive tackle was a solid player in 2023, playing in all 13 games and starting five of them. He had 29 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. With three years of eligibility remaining, fans were hopeful he could develop into a standout player in 2024. He was expected to start in spring training camp.
Tucker announced on social media that he is heading to Indiana to play for coach Kurt Cignetti.
Sammy Malignaggi, RB/KR, Campbell – Backup running back Malignaggi carried the ball 13 times for 71 yards last season. Given JMU's bolstered running back lineup with transfers, it's unlikely he'll get much playing time in 2024.
Malignaggi will transfer to the FCS level to play under Campbell, where he'll have a chance to earn meaningful playing time.
Solomon VanHoose, RB, Indiana – When he was healthy, VanHoose was a weapon at returner and running back. He finished his JMU career with over 500 receiving yards, rushing yards and return yards. But he was probably JMU’s RB3 behind Ayo Addei and George Pettaway.
Like many other JMU players in the portal, VanHoose will play at Indiana with Cignetti.
Colin Carroll, T.E. – Carroll will redshirt his first college football season in 2023. He will likely leave the program in search of more playing time. JMU has a deep corps of tight ends, led by Kai Wright and Taylor Thompson.
Wesley Bostic, OL – Bostic enters the portal with three years of eligibility remaining. The backup lineman wasn’t expected to get significant playing time at JMU in 2024.
Nakai Poole, WR – Poole transferred to JMU from Mississippi State in the offseason but quickly returned to the portal, according to On3.
Aaron Gunn, OL – Gunn, a reserve offensive lineman, played in three games for JMU in 2023. A transfer from the University of Louisville, he wasn’t projected to be a major contributor in 2024 but is now back in the portal.
Rykin Maxwell, WR – Maxwell, a backup wide receiver, shared on social media that he is in the portal. He did not record a catch as a JMU player and was redshirting in his only season with the program (2023).
D'Angelo Pons, CB, Indiana – This one hurts. Pons became a starter as a freshman and developed into one of the best young cornerbacks in the country, finishing the season with 51 tackles, 15 interceptions and two rebounds.
Despite receiving interest from schools including Auburn and Miami, Pons chose Indiana University.
A.J. Abassi, D.E. – Abbasi joined the program during the offseason and quickly entered the portal. He wasn't expected to contribute on the defensive line, but he has elite size (6'4, 290 pounds) for a defensive end.
Seth Naotala, L.B. – Backup linebacker and special teams player Naotala enters the portal with two years of eligibility remaining, and given the Dukes’ linebacker depth, it would have been tough for him to get meaningful snaps at linebacker.
