Three Former Dukes Sign First Pro Contract with CFL, UFL Squads

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Three 2022 James Madison football seniors in Sam Kidd, Devin Ravenel and Kris Thornton recently signed their first professional contracts in either the Canadian Football League or United Football League.

Kidd was signed by the UFL's D.C. Defenders, Ravenel joined the BC Lions in the CFL and Thornton inked a deal with the CFL's Ottawa REDBLACKS.

Kidd played for JMU from 2017 to 2022, appearing in 42 career games. He tallied 112 tackles with eight tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, 11 pass breakups, a pair of forced fumbles and one recovery. He was honored as a 2022 Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt selection.

Ravenel suited up in 48 career games from 2018 to 2022, scoring 12 career touchdowns. He finished his JMU career with 48 receptions for 692 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns while also scoring once a kick return. As a senior in 2022, he scored seven touchdowns on 24 catches.

Thornton transferred to JMU and played his final three seasons from 2020-22, finishing as one of JMU's all-time leading receivers. He still ranks second at JMU in career receiving touchdowns (23), third in receptions (168) and fourth in receiving yards (2,540). He became JMU's first player ever to record multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons, doing so in 2021 and 2022. He tied for the single-season receptions record, with 83 in 2021. Thornton was a 2022 College Football Network Honorable Mention All-American and was a three-time First Team All-Conference receiver, doing so twice in the CAA and once in the Sun Belt.

Also previously announced was Percy Agyei-Obese, another member of the 2022 Dukes, signing with the BC Lions for his first pro contract.

Additionally, two former Dukes have re-upped in the UFL, as John Daka was drafted by the St. Louis Battlehawks and Liam Fornadel re-signed with D.C., where he was an All-XFL offensive lineman in 2023.

Other former Dukes currently in the CFL include Bryce Carter in Ottawa and Ishmael Hyman, who signed this week with the Calgary Stampeders.

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