Three Dukes Named to Athlon Sports Postseason FCS All-America Team

CHICAGO, Ill. – The James Madison trio of Ron'Dell Carter, John Daka and Liam Fornadel added to their postseason accolades, as each were named to the 2019 Athlon Sports Postseason All-America Team.

JMU was tied for the FCS lead in selections, as both North Dakota State and Montana also had three honorees.

Carter, the Buck Buchanan Award runner-up and Consensus All-American, has now earned seven All-America honors. He was also voted Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year. Carter wrapped up his career with 27 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in 2019, which ranked second and tied for ninth nationally, respectively. The Baltimore native produced 66 total tackles, to go with a forced fumble and 13 quarterback hurries.

Daka, who finished seventh in the Buck Buchanan Award voting, reeled in his fourth All-America award, including a second First Team laurel. He led the country with 28 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks – a JMU single-season record. He tallied 67 total tackles, to go with four forced fumbles, one recovery, three breakups, a block and 13 hurries.

Fornadel earned his fifth All-America nod, including fourth First Team accolade, after leading JMU's offensive line that aided in the Dukes pacing the FCS in completion percentage (.706) and fourth-down conversions (.889). JMU also ranked second nationally on third down (.536), third in scoring (40.0) and first downs (24.81), fourth in pass efficiency (169.44) and 10th in both total offense (465.8) and rushing offense (242.9).

The Dukes finished 14-2 in 2019 and advanced to the NCAA Division I Championship Game for the third time in four seasons. The 14 wins tied the program record for wins in a season, matching both the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

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