Image provided by: JMU Athletics Communications
Written by Bennett Conlin
Given the significant activity in the transfer portal over the winter, we thought it might be easier to track JMU football's spring portal activity with our new tracker. Here is a link to the winter tracker.
Add transfer
Chris Shearin, DB, UConn – A native of Suffolk, Virginia, Shearin began his collegiate career at the University of Missouri before transferring to UConn ahead of the 2022 season. Over the past two seasons with the Huskies, he had 82 tackles, four interceptions, 13 pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He has one year of eligibility left.
Jakai Young, DB, Gardner Webb – Young came to JMU in 2023 earning first-team All-OVC honors, recording 41 tackles and two interceptions. He is an athletic corner and nickel player with decent size (6 feet, 180 pounds) who could help fill the hole left by D'Angelo Pons. He has one year of eligibility left.
Christopher Fitzgerald, DT, Youngstown State – Fitzgerald committed to Eastern Michigan in late April, but reversed his decision and committed to JMU about a week later. Fitzgerald was listed as a 6-foot, 275-pounder out of Youngstown State last season, and the Interior defensive lineman was highly productive in one of the premier FCS leagues. Over the past two seasons, he has recorded 65 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Fitzgerald has one season of eligibility remaining and should fill the void left by Tyrik Tucker.
Armarian Granger, WR, Old Dominion – After playing at ODU in 2022 and 2023, Granger will remain in Virginia and join the Dukes. He caught 15 passes for 213 yards and one touchdown in 2023. After high school, Granger played wide receiver and quarterback and received several Power Five offers. He will join a talented wide receiver room at JMU.
Kairi Manns, LB, Maine/Colorado – Manns started his collegiate career at Maine State, recording 108 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks in 26 games. He then played one season for Deion Sanders at the University of Colorado, recording nine tackles and one sack.
Bryonne Penny, WR, San Diego State – JMU has a wealth of talent at wide receiver, and Penny brings impressive height to the room. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver caught 24 passes for 290 yards and one touchdown in 2023, but San Diego State's 2023 passing offense was among the worst in the nation. Considering that, it was a decent result. He ranks third on the team in receiving yards and will continue to be counted on. He has a legitimate chance to break into JMU's rotation.
He has one season of eligibility left and will likely contribute in some way. He is also a capable kick and punt returner, giving him an advantage on special teams.
Transfer departure
Tyrik Tucker, DL, Indiana – He was a solid defensive tackle in 2023, appearing in all 13 games, including five starts. He recorded 29 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He has three years of eligibility remaining, and there was hope among fans that he could develop into a standout player in 2024. He was expected to be a starter entering spring ball.
Tucker announced on social media that he is headed to Indiana to play for Curt Cinetti.
Sammy Malignaggi, RB/KR, Campbell – Backup running back Malignaggi carried the ball 13 times for 71 yards last season. It's unlikely he will get much playing time in 2024, given the addition of a running back with the JMU transfer.
Malignaggi will move to the FCS level to play at Campbell. He will have a chance to earn meaningful playing time.
Solomon VanHoose, RB, Indiana –When VanHoose was healthy, his weapons were returners and running backs. 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 Cignetti and Indiana.
Colin Carroll, Tennessee – Carroll will redshirt in 2023, his first season of college football. He will leave the program, likely in search of more playing time. JMU has a crowded tight end room headlined by Key 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 Pool, WR – According to On3, Poole transferred from Mississippi State to JMU in the offseason, but quickly returned to the portal.
Aaron Gunn, OL – Gunn, a reserve offensive lineman, appeared in three games at JMU in 2023. The former Louisville transfer wasn't projected as a big contributor in 2024, but now he's back in the portal.
Raikin 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 player at JMU and redshirted his only season with the program (2023).
D'Angelo Pons, CB, Indiana –This hurts. Pons became a starter as a freshman and has developed into one of the top young corners in the nation. He finished the season with 51 tackles, 15 pass breakups, and two interceptions.
Despite interest from the likes of Auburn and Miami, Pons chose Indiana.
AJ Abbasi, Delaware – Abbasi joined the program during the offseason and entered the portal immediately. He wasn't expected to be a contributor on the defensive line, but he does have elite size (6-foot-4, 290 pounds) as a defensive end.
Seth Naotara, LB – Naotara, a backup linebacker and special teams player, enters the portal with two years of eligibility remaining. Given the depth of the Dukes' linebacker position, it would have been difficult for him to get meaningful snaps as a linebacker.
