JMU Football Bolsters Secondary Through Spring Transfer Portal
In a strategic move to address the gaps in their secondary, JMU football has made significant additions through the spring transfer portal. With the departure of D’Angelo Ponds, head coach Bob Chesney wasted no time in bolstering the defensive back position, with five out of the ten spring transfer portal additions being defensive backs.
The new recruits include Ja’Kai Young from Gardner-Webb, Jordan Taylor from Tusculum (D2), Ray Williams from Howard, Chris Shearin from UConn, and Rayquan Adkins from Cincinnati. These players bring a wealth of experience and talent to the team, with some having FBS and FCS/D2 backgrounds.
Among the new recruits, Young, Williams, and Shearin are expected to make an immediate impact on the team. Young, who earned All-Conference honors in 2023, is a standout athlete with a clear path to starting as a cornerback. Shearin, with his impressive stats at UConn, and Williams, a key player at Howard, also bring valuable experience to the team.
While Taylor’s speed may be an asset on special teams, Adkins, with three years of eligibility left, is seen as a competitive depth piece for the upcoming season. There is also speculation that one of the new defensive backs may transition to safety, given the surplus of cornerbacks and lack of experience at safety.
With the revamped secondary, JMU fans can expect a competitive battle for starting positions during fall camp. The potential starting unit includes players like Chauncey Logan, Chris Shearin, Jacob Thomas, and Ray Williams, with promising newcomers like Evan Spivey, Chase Regan, and KJ Flowe also vying for roles.
After struggling with explosive pass plays last season, the revamped secondary is seen as a key factor in JMU’s quest for a College Football Playoff berth. With the improvements made through the spring transfer portal, the team is poised to make a strong defensive statement in the upcoming season.