Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications
Written by Bennett Conlin
Tracking the transfer and recruitment portal for high schools can be quite a challenge. It is even more difficult given the lack of consistent national recruitment coverage for G5 teams.
To make life a little easier for avid JMU football fans, we’ll aim to track JMU’s 2024 high school recruiting class in this one document. We will create a 2024 transfer portal tracker later in the fall.
Backing out of commitments
With Cignetti leaving for Indiana State, JMU may lose some members of the 2024 class.
Mario Landino, DL, Indiana -Landino, a talented defensive lineman, follows Cignetti to Indiana.
Alberto Mendoza, QB, Indiana – Mendoza officially flipped from JMU to Indiana after Cignetti’s departure. The prospect from Miami is viewed as a 3-star recruit by 24/7 Sports.
Daniel Ndukwe, Edge, Indiana – Ndukwe posted on social media that he was headed to Indiana.
Jah Jah Boyd, CB – That was a big commitment at the time. Boyd was the highest-rated high school senior ever to commit to JMU. Boyd was a prospect at Penn State and received offers from Penn State, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and Boston College.
Keenan Phillips, R.B – Phillips announced his commitment via Instagram, choosing JMU over App State, Boston College, NC State, Troy, and Tulane, among other offers. The talented running back from Georgia is a big turnaround, often eluding defenders in tight spaces. He is capable of returning kicks as well as playing running back.
Nate Crosby Jr., R.B -Marshall and Charlotte were among the schools to recruit the North Carolina product. He is a versatile player who can run and catch.
God Diablo, Edge -What a name! Diablo, a North Carolina native, also received offers from App State, Boston College and ODU. At 6’5″ and 230 pounds, it’s easy to get excited about Diablo’s potential as an outside edge rusher.
Ronnell Davis, S – JMU originally beat out West Virginia in a recruiting battle for the defensive back from Delaware, but he has since been pulled.
Dontre Henderson, S – Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina and Marshall Henderson, who is from North Carolina, all offered.
Offensive additions
Deacon Rawls, OL – West Virginia, Temple, Charlotte and Army Rawls, a Virginia Beach product, all offered. At 6’5″ and 315 pounds, Rawls has great size and talent. He’s a nice addition to the Dukes.
Evan Bushong, OL -JMU recruits Penn well, and Bushong plays in the Harrisburg area. It is offered by the Army, as well as several Ivy League schools. He is listed at 6’3″ and 295 pounds.
Coby Campbell, OL – The Dukes have done well to add unheralded recruits before they blow up, and Campbell might fit that mold. He has received offers from a few FCS schools in addition to JMU, but recently participated in camps at Florida and Duke, earning top OL performance during his trip to Duke. Campbell, who is from North Carolina, is a great prospect for JMU.
Defensive additions
Bryson Banks, LP – Banks is undersized at about 5’9″, but has huge potential. UCF, UConn, Navy and Army were among the schools that offered banks. If he were a few inches taller, he would likely be a target for several Power Five teams. He plays high school football in Georgia.
Anthony Walker, LB – JMU added Walker, a North Carolina client. Like Banks, he has a lot of potential. He’s a little taller at 6 feet tall, and also had an impressive list of offers that included App State and Charlotte. Walker was also appeased by several of JMU’s former CAA peers, including Richmond and Delaware.
Emmanuel Ezeogu, LB -At 6’3″, Ezeogu can develop into a pass rusher if needed. The prospect from Virginia was focused on attending JMU throughout the recruiting process, according to DNR.
Chase Regan, S – The run on defensive backs continued with Regan’s commitment. The safety from Penn State received a host of FCS offers, and Old Dominion was among the FBS teams to make an offer to Regan. He chose JMU among his 20 D1 offers.
Philip Harris, D.B – Another prospect from North Carolina joins the Dukes, as Harris chose JMU over ECU, West Virginia, Marshall, Coastal Carolina, and others. He is a great addition to the JMU class.
Marcellus Nash, Edge -Nash had offers from App State, Arizona, Coastal Carolina, Marshall, Penn State and others. The in-state defender ultimately chose JMU, giving the Dukes another solid addition along the defensive line. Nash is one of the highest-rated recruits in JMU’s 2024 class.
Milton Ferguson, D.B – The three-star defensive back from Virginia Beach also received offers from Maryland, Miami, Virginia and Virginia Tech. He is a talented player who has attracted interest from powerful Power Five schools.
Kellan Flo, DB – A three-star defensive back, Flo came out of West Virginia to join the Dukes. The Dukes’ 2024 class features notable talent in the secondary.
As the 2024 football recruiting season unfolds, all eyes are on James Madison University as they work to secure their next generation of talented athletes. With high expectations and a strong reputation, the JMU football program’s recruiting efforts are closely followed by fans and analysts alike. The pressure is on for the coaching staff to bring in top-notch recruits who will help drive the team to continued success. Stay up-to-date on all the latest developments with the JMU Football 2024 Recruiting Class Tracker, your go-to source for all things related to JMU sports news.