Houston Announces 13 JMU Football Newcomers in 2018 Early Signing Period

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Just over two weeks out for James Madison competing for its second straight national championship, Head Coach Mike Houston announced Wednesday the signing of 13 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, utilizing the new early signing period for college football.

The class features four defensive backs, three offensive linemen, two wide receivers, two linebackers, a tight end and a kicker. The group hails from seven different states, including seven from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

"I think this has to be one of top classes at the FCS level," Houston said. "We think every one of these kids will be a starter for us at some point in their respective careers. They'll be really good players on the field and outstanding young men who will be a great addition to the locker room."

The geographic makeup of the 2018 early signing class is:

Virginia – 7
Florida – 1
Maryland – 1
New Jersey – 1
North Carolina – 1
Pennsylvania – 1
South Carolina – 1

This is the first year that players are able to sign a National Letter of Intent before the normal February signing period.

"We were sitting here this time last year with a group who was already committed and you had to continue molding that group throughout January," Houston said. "We're excited to get this group locked up for 2018, get a couple of them here for the spring semester and acclimate this class into the JMU family."

Reggie Brown I Wide Receiver I 6-1 I 175 I Lakeland, Fla./Kathleen

Invitation to play in Best of Florida All-Star Game
Most Outstanding WR Award at Kathleen HS as a junior
Helped Kathleen to playoffs as a sophomore

HOUSTON: "Reggie was in our camp last summer and is an impressive athlete. He has speed, size and athleticism and tracks the ball in the air really well. I think he's going to be a very good wide out in time."

Chris Chukwuneke I Safety I 5-11 I 185 I Edison, N.J./St. John Vianney (The Peddie School)

Took a prep season at The Peddie School in 2017
All-Mid Atlantic Prep League in 2017
In nine games, gained 1,400 all-purpose yards with 19 touchdowns, as well as forcing two fumbles
Third Team All-State as a senior at St. John Vianney and First Team All-Shore as a junior and senior
1,300 rushing yards and 15 scores as a senior

HOUSTON: "Chris is a very explosive athlete and physical tackler. He's rangy and will be a really good player in our secondary."

Jamari Currence I Cornerback I 5-10 I 165 I Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe

4A All-Region as a senior and All-Area as a junior and senior
Led South Pointe to four straight SCHSL state championships with two at 4A and two at 3A
Had seven interceptions as a junior
Principal Scholar all four years, holding a 4.0+ GPA
Will enroll at JMU in January 2018 and participate in spring drills

HOUSTON: "Jamari is an extremely talented secondary player from one of the top programs in the state of South Carolina. He's going to be an early enrollee and will be here for the spring. We expect him to compete for playing time during spring ball."

Willie Drew I Defensive Back I 6-0 I 187 I Smithfield, Va./Smithfield

VHSL 4A First Team All-Region defensive back and all-purpose player
Ironclad Conference 19 Offensive Player of the Year as a junior
Two-time Smithfield High School Player of the Year

HOUSTON: "Willie is one of the top players in the state of Virginia. He played quarterback and defensive back at Smithfield. He has great size, as well as athleticism and I expect him to be a very good player for us."

Mateo Jackson I Linebacker I 6-1 I 220 I Richmond, Va./Hermitage

VHSL 5A First Team All-State as a senior and Second Team as a junior
First Team All-Metro and First Team All-Region as a junior and senior
Class 5 Region B Defensive Player of the Year as a senior
Fifth-leading tackler in Hermitage history
Helped Panthers to two region championship games and a region semifinal

HOUSTON: "Mateo is one of the top players in the state of Virginia and one of the most decorated players this past year. He's physical and was highly recruited. He has great size, great motor, is a winner and a competitor. He'll be a really good player."

Nick Kidwell I Offensive Line I 6-5 I 300 I Knoxville, Md./Boonsboro

Washington County Offensive Player of the Year as a senior
Gardener Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior, honoring county's top OL
Selected as a Baltimore Touchdown Club All-Star
Part of three-straight playoff appearances with Boonsboro

HOUSTON: "Nick has tremendous size and is a really physical player. He is a great kid from a fantastic family. Nick was impressive at camp and loves JMU. He'll be a great addition to our offensive line."

Hayden Mann I Safety I 6-4 I 190 I Mebane, N.C./Eastern Alamance

Mid State 3A Offensive Player of the Year as a senior
Two-time Burlington Times News All-Region and Mid State 3A All-Conference selection
Tied Eastern Alamance record for most passing touchdowns in a game twice, with four
Transitioning from QB to safety at JMU

HOUSTON: "Hayden is a phenomenal athlete. He has great size, is explosive and runs really well. He can do a lot of different things for this football team."

Amelio Moran I Offensive Line I 6-6 I 300 I Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne

Selected to 757 All-Star Classic in 2017, ranking as top OL and #17 overall player in the 757
Named First Team All-Region and All-District as a senior and Second Team All-District as a junior
Part of the invitation-only Nike Opening Camp on three occasions
Helped Princess Anne to playoffs for the first time in 18 years as a senior

HOUSTON: "Amelio has great size and is extremely athletic. He was highly recruited and we expect him to be a very good offensive lineman. He can play multiple positions on the offensive front."

Drew Painter I Tight End I 6-4 I 250 I Hershey, Pa./Hershey

First Team All-Mid-Penn Keystone Conference tight end as a senior and Second Team defensive end as a junior
Four-year varsity starter for Hershey
Had 34 catches for 414 receiving yards, to go with 5.5 sacks as a junior
Younger brother of Dylan Painter, who plays basketball at Villanova

HOUSTON: "Drew started on both sides of the ball, at tight end and defensive end, this past season. He's a hard-nosed, physical football player and will develop into a really top-end player in time."

Devin Ravenel I Wide Receiver I 6-0 I 155 I Stafford, Va./North Stafford

VHSL 5A Second Team All-Region as a senior
First Team All-Commonwealth District Conference as a senior
Helped team to 9-4 record in 2017 berth in 5A state semifinals
Younger brother of former JMU wide receiver and First Team All-CAA selection Brandon Ravenel

HOUSTON: "Devin was very impressive in camp last summer. He has great height and a lot of range. He tracks the bally very well and he comes from a family we know very well. I expect him to be really good for us."

Henry Schroeder I Offensive Line I 6-4 I 260 I Richmond, Va./St. Christopher's School

VISAA Division I First Team All-State as a junior and senior
First Team All-Metro as a senior and Second Team as a junior
Helped St. Christopher's to 7-3 record and state semifinal berth as a senior

HOUSTON: "Henry was impressive in camp last summer and had a solid senior season. He's very athletic for an offensive lineman and could play multiple positions. We expect him to be a starter for us at some point down the road."

Matt Terrell I Linebacker I 6-4 I 245 I Lynchburg, Va./Lynchburg Christian (Garden City CC)

Transfers to JMU with two years of eligibility
Honorable Mention All-Jayhawk Conference in 2017
Ranked 27th in the NJCAA in tackles (90), while also having 3.0 sacks
Transferred to GCCC after one season at Virginia, appearing in nine games as a true freshman
Will enroll at JMU in January 2018 and participate in spring drills

HOUSTON: "Matt is a very talented defensive end/hybrid linebacker and will play in our kat position. I've known Matt for a couple years, so I'm excited for him to start with us in the spring semester. We expect him to contribute immediately and he will compete for a starting job."

Camden Wise I Kicker I 6-0 I 160 I Blacksburg, Va./Blacksburg

VHSL 3A First Team All-State kicker as a junior
First Team All-Region at 3A as a junior and Second Team at 4A as a senior
Helped Blacksburg to 3A state championship as a junior and 4A state quarterfinals as a senior

HOUSTON: "Camden is one of the top kickers on the East coast. He came to a couple camps last summer and was very impressive. We expect him to compete for the place kicking job next fall."

2018 Early Signees
Reggie Brown             Fr.       WR       6-1       175         Lakeland, Fla./Kathleen
Chris Chukwuneke      Fr.         S        5-11      185         Edison, N.J./St. John Vianney (The Peddie School)
Jamari Currence         Fr.        CB      5-10      165         Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe
Willie Drew                 Fr.        DB       6-0       187         Smithfield, Va./Smithfield
Mateo Jackson            Fr.        LB        6-1       220         Richmond, Va./Hermitage
Nick Kidwell                Fr.        OL       6-5       300         Knoxville, Md./Boonsboro
Hayden Mann             Fr.         S         6-4       190         Mebane, N.C./Eastern Alamance
Amelio Moran              Fr.        OL       6-6       300         Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne
Drew Painter               Fr.        TE        6-4       250         Hershey, Pa./Hershey
Devin Ravenel            Fr.       WR       6-0       155         Stafford, Va./North Stafford
Henry Schroeder         Fr.        OL       6-4       260         Richmond, Va./St. Christopher's School
Matt Terrell                 Jr.        LB        6-4       245         Lynchburg, Va./Lynchburg Christian (Garden City CC)
Camden Wise             Fr.         K         6-0       160         Blacksburg, Va./Blacksburg

The 2017-18 JMU Football signing period is presented by Old Dominion Realty.