11 Former Dukes on NFL Rosters and Coaching Staffs Entering 2021 Season

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison will have 11 former Dukes affiliated on pro rosters or coaching staffs as the National Football League kicks off the 2021 season tonight.

Three former Dukes are currently with the defending world champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in offensive linemen Aaron Stinnie and Josh Wells, while fellow lineman Earl Watford was placed on the injured reserve list.

Safety Dean Marlowe made the 53 in his new home with the Detroit Lions, tight end Daniel Brown is back with the New York Jets once again this fall, and cornerback Jimmy Moreland was picked up this week by the Houston Texans.

Two more Dukes are on practice squads, as quarterback Ben DiNucci is with the Dallas Cowboys for the second straight season, and defensive lineman Ron'Dell Carter signed with the Arizona Cardinals at the end of preseason.

Watford and Wells are the seasoned-veterans of the 2021 NFL Dukes, as Watford is in his ninth season in the league and Wells is in his eighth. Both Brown and Marlowe also get set for their seventh seasons, respectively, in the NFL.

Each NFL franchise has an active roster of 53 players and a 16-man practice squad.

In addition to those putting the pads on, three former JMU student-athletes are on NFL coaching staffs. John DeFilippo is pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach with the Chicago Bears, 2004 national champion Justin Rascati is back with the Denver Broncos as offensive quality control coach and Blaine Stewart is the assistant wide receivers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Dukes Competing on 2021 NFL Rosters
Daniel Brown (2011-14) – New York Jets (7th Season, 3rd in New York)
Ron'Dell Carter (2017-19) – Arizona Cardinals (2nd Season, 1st in Arizona
Ben DiNucci (2018-19) – Dallas Cowboys (2nd Season)
Dean Marlowe (2010-14) – Detroit Lions (7th Season, 1st in Detroit)
Jimmy Moreland (2014-18) – Houston Texans (3rd Season, 1st in Houston)
Aaron Stinnie (2013-17) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4th Season, 3rd in Tampa)
Earl Watford (2008-12) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9th Season, 2nd in Tampa)
Josh Wells (2009-13) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8th Season, 3rd in Tampa)

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