Dukes Rank First in 2021 Athlon Sports Preseason FCS Top 25

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison holds the top position in the initial preseason poll of the summer, as the Dukes claimed the #1 spot in the 2021 Athlon Sports Preseason FCS Top 25.

The Dukes are coming off a 7-1 season this past spring after advancing to the FCS semifinals. JMU won all three Colonial Athletic Association games in the 2020-21 season to claim a share of the conference championship for the program's fifth title in six seasons.

JMU ranked in the top 10 nationally in 10 different statistical categories. That included second on fourth-down conversions (.857), third in rushing defense (72.4), fifth in total defense (243.4), sixth in rushing offense (232.6), yards per completion (14.82), time of possession (34:20) and pass efficiency defense (100.74), seventh in pass efficiency offense (156.28), eighth in scoring defense (16.5) and 10th in third-down conversions (.484).

The Dukes return five All-Americans in running back Percy Agyei-Obese, long snapper Kyle Davis, offensive lineman Raymond Gillespie, defensive lineman Mike Greene and place kicker Ethan Ratke, as well as wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr., who earned Freshman All-America honors.

They also bring back all but one of their 11 All-CAA performers from the 2020-21 campaign. Those additional five standouts include linebackers Kelvin Azanama and Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey, safety MJ Hampton, punter Harry O'Kelly and wide receiver Kris Thornton.

Following JMU in Athlon's top five were a familiar list of FCS powers in #2 North Dakota State, #3 Sam Houston, #4 South Dakota State and #5 Delaware. The CAA had four teams ranked, as joining JMU and UD were #16 Villanova and #22 New Hampshire.

Click here to view the full Athlon Sports Preseason FCS Top 25.

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