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13 Dukes Named to 2024 All-Sun Belt Football Team
12/5/2024 11:00:00 AM | Football
NEW ORLEANS – A total of 13 James Madison student-athletes were selected to the 2024 All-Sun Belt Conference Football Team, including four members on the First Team, in a vote by the league's 14 head coach coaches and media members.
Highlighting the annual accolades for the Dukes were offensive linemen Pat McMurtrie and Cole Potts, defensive lineman Eric O'Neill and cornerback Terrence Spence, who all earned First Team All-Sun Belt awards.
Joining the quartet as All-Sun Belt Second Team picks were defensive lineman Khairi Manns, linebacker Jacob Dobbs and safety Jacob Thomas. Third Team honors went to punter Ryan Hanson and kick returner Cam Ross.
Rounding out the annual accolades were quarterback Alonza Barnett III, defensive lineman Immanuel Bush, wide receiver Omarion Dollison and tight end Taylor Thompson, who were each named Honorable Mention selections.
McMurtrie and Potts led the way for JMU's offensive line. Starting all 12 games at right tackle, McMurtrie allowed zero sacks and was the top-rated tackle in the Sun Belt during the regular season. Potts started all 12 outings at right guard, as he broke the JMU all-time starts record, which stands now at 55 games. The two helped JMU rank fifth in the Sun Belt in total offense (408.8) and rushing offense (189.8). Despite losing two of the team's top-three running backs, JMU's rushing attack averaged better than 210 yards over the final five games, including a season-high 244 versus Marshall. JMU had six 200-yard rushing games in 2024, as opposed to only having two a season ago.
O'Neill, one of the nation's premier pass rushers, wrapped up the season ranking top-10 nationally in both sacks and tackles for loss. He ranked fifth in the FBS with 12.0 sacks while also ranking sixth with 17.5 tackles for loss. O'Neill was second in the Sun Belt of both defensive categories. He also tallied 49 tackles with one interception (pick-six), three breakups and a team-high 15 quarterback hurries. Over the final five games, O'Neill registered 11.0 TFL and 9.0 sacks. He had 2.5 sacks against Marshall and recorded 2.0+ sacks in four outings.
Spence, who became JMU's first semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, took home First Team honors after ranking third nationally and tied for the Sun Belt lead with five interceptions. He also ranked fourth in the FBS and co-led the SBC with two blocks while also being third in the league with 12 passes defended. Spence tallied 34 total tackles while also forcing a fumble. He had a pair of interceptions, including a pick-six, to go with a blocked punt at North Carolina and averaged 20.0 yards per interception return on the season. All seven of his pass breakups occurred during Sun Belt play.
Manns was one of the league's best at living in the backfield, as he finished the regular season with 63 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, one fumble recovery, two breakups and eight hurries. Manns ranked fourth in the Sun Belt in sacks, and fifth in tackles for loss. He had at least two TFL in three games and made multiple sacks in a pair of outings, including 2.5 at Old Dominion. He additionally tallied six or more tackles in seven games, including 10 versus Marshall.
Dobbs led the Dukes in tackles despite starting in just eight games. He accrued a JMU-best 73 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and two fumble recoveries. Dobbs ranked 16th nationally and second in the Sun Belt in fumble recoveries and was third in the SBC in tackles per game (9.1). He had double-digit tackles in three games, including 17 at Georgia Southern.
Thomas was JMU's second-leading tackler during the regular season, finishing with 69 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, a half sack, three interceptions and three pass breakups. Thomas ranked seventh in the SBC in total interceptions. He had six or more tackles in seven games and had at least a full TFL in four outings. Additionally, two of his three picks occurred during league games.
Hanson earned All-Sun Belt recognition for the third time in his career after being Second Team in 2023 and Third Team in 2021. Hanson had 46 punts while averaging 42.9 yards per punt with a long of 66. He had 15 punts land inside the 20 and eight over 50 yards with four touchbacks. He finished the regular season ranking third in the Sun Belt in punt average.
Ross took over primary kick return duties midseason and averaged 28.7 yards per kickoff return on 11 attempts. His season was highlighted by a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown versus Southern Miss. He ranked third nationally and second in the Sun Belt in kick return average.
Barnett, a midseason watch list selection for the Maxwell Award and Davey O'Brien National QB Award, accounted for 3,040 yards and 33 touchdowns during the regular season. He finished 213 of 355 for 2,598 passing yards and 26 touchdowns with only four interceptions. He additionally rushed for 442 yards with a JMU-leading seven rushing scores. The two-time Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week ranks 11th nationally in point responsibility (16.5) and 12th in passing touchdowns, both of which were second in the SBC. He was also second in the league for fewest interceptions and 10th in rushing touchdowns.
Bush started every game in the interior, producing 32 total tackles with 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, one interception, a breakup and three hurries. He tallied three or more tackles three times and had at least a full TFL in three outings. He also made a full sack against his former team, Marshall.
Dollison was one of the league's top deep threats this season, as he finished with 31 catches for 551 receiving yards and six touchdowns. JMU's leader in receiving scores and second in receiving yards, Dollison ranked third in the Sun Belt and 30th nationally in yards per reception (17.77) while ranking fifth in the league in receiving touchdowns. Dollison turned in a career-high 125 receiving yards at North Carolina and made four catches of at least 50 yards this year.
Thompson was one of the Sun Belt's best tight ends in 2024, as he tallied 32 receptions for 427 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Thompson ranked tied for second in the Sun Belt among tight ends in receiving touchdowns and was 13th overall in receiving scores. He additionally converted a pair of two-point conversions – one rush and one pass to a fellow tight end. After making zero catches in 2023, Thompson had three or more grabs in five games.
JMU All-Sun Belt Selections
First Team
Offensive Line – Pat McMurtrie
Offensive Line – Cole Potts
Defensive Line – Eric O'Neill
Defensive Back – Terrence Spence
Second Team
Defensive Line – Khairi Manns
Linebacker – Jacob Dobbs
Defensive Back – Jacob Thomas
Third Team
Punter – Ryan Hanson
Return Specialist – Cam Ross
Honorable Mention
Quarterback – Alonza Barnett III
Defensive Line – Immanuel Bush
Wide Receiver – Omarion Dollison
Tight End – Taylor Thompson
Highlighting the annual accolades for the Dukes were offensive linemen Pat McMurtrie and Cole Potts, defensive lineman Eric O'Neill and cornerback Terrence Spence, who all earned First Team All-Sun Belt awards.
Joining the quartet as All-Sun Belt Second Team picks were defensive lineman Khairi Manns, linebacker Jacob Dobbs and safety Jacob Thomas. Third Team honors went to punter Ryan Hanson and kick returner Cam Ross.
Rounding out the annual accolades were quarterback Alonza Barnett III, defensive lineman Immanuel Bush, wide receiver Omarion Dollison and tight end Taylor Thompson, who were each named Honorable Mention selections.
McMurtrie and Potts led the way for JMU's offensive line. Starting all 12 games at right tackle, McMurtrie allowed zero sacks and was the top-rated tackle in the Sun Belt during the regular season. Potts started all 12 outings at right guard, as he broke the JMU all-time starts record, which stands now at 55 games. The two helped JMU rank fifth in the Sun Belt in total offense (408.8) and rushing offense (189.8). Despite losing two of the team's top-three running backs, JMU's rushing attack averaged better than 210 yards over the final five games, including a season-high 244 versus Marshall. JMU had six 200-yard rushing games in 2024, as opposed to only having two a season ago.
O'Neill, one of the nation's premier pass rushers, wrapped up the season ranking top-10 nationally in both sacks and tackles for loss. He ranked fifth in the FBS with 12.0 sacks while also ranking sixth with 17.5 tackles for loss. O'Neill was second in the Sun Belt of both defensive categories. He also tallied 49 tackles with one interception (pick-six), three breakups and a team-high 15 quarterback hurries. Over the final five games, O'Neill registered 11.0 TFL and 9.0 sacks. He had 2.5 sacks against Marshall and recorded 2.0+ sacks in four outings.
Spence, who became JMU's first semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, took home First Team honors after ranking third nationally and tied for the Sun Belt lead with five interceptions. He also ranked fourth in the FBS and co-led the SBC with two blocks while also being third in the league with 12 passes defended. Spence tallied 34 total tackles while also forcing a fumble. He had a pair of interceptions, including a pick-six, to go with a blocked punt at North Carolina and averaged 20.0 yards per interception return on the season. All seven of his pass breakups occurred during Sun Belt play.
Manns was one of the league's best at living in the backfield, as he finished the regular season with 63 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, one fumble recovery, two breakups and eight hurries. Manns ranked fourth in the Sun Belt in sacks, and fifth in tackles for loss. He had at least two TFL in three games and made multiple sacks in a pair of outings, including 2.5 at Old Dominion. He additionally tallied six or more tackles in seven games, including 10 versus Marshall.
Dobbs led the Dukes in tackles despite starting in just eight games. He accrued a JMU-best 73 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and two fumble recoveries. Dobbs ranked 16th nationally and second in the Sun Belt in fumble recoveries and was third in the SBC in tackles per game (9.1). He had double-digit tackles in three games, including 17 at Georgia Southern.
Thomas was JMU's second-leading tackler during the regular season, finishing with 69 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, a half sack, three interceptions and three pass breakups. Thomas ranked seventh in the SBC in total interceptions. He had six or more tackles in seven games and had at least a full TFL in four outings. Additionally, two of his three picks occurred during league games.
Hanson earned All-Sun Belt recognition for the third time in his career after being Second Team in 2023 and Third Team in 2021. Hanson had 46 punts while averaging 42.9 yards per punt with a long of 66. He had 15 punts land inside the 20 and eight over 50 yards with four touchbacks. He finished the regular season ranking third in the Sun Belt in punt average.
Ross took over primary kick return duties midseason and averaged 28.7 yards per kickoff return on 11 attempts. His season was highlighted by a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown versus Southern Miss. He ranked third nationally and second in the Sun Belt in kick return average.
Barnett, a midseason watch list selection for the Maxwell Award and Davey O'Brien National QB Award, accounted for 3,040 yards and 33 touchdowns during the regular season. He finished 213 of 355 for 2,598 passing yards and 26 touchdowns with only four interceptions. He additionally rushed for 442 yards with a JMU-leading seven rushing scores. The two-time Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week ranks 11th nationally in point responsibility (16.5) and 12th in passing touchdowns, both of which were second in the SBC. He was also second in the league for fewest interceptions and 10th in rushing touchdowns.
Bush started every game in the interior, producing 32 total tackles with 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, one interception, a breakup and three hurries. He tallied three or more tackles three times and had at least a full TFL in three outings. He also made a full sack against his former team, Marshall.
Dollison was one of the league's top deep threats this season, as he finished with 31 catches for 551 receiving yards and six touchdowns. JMU's leader in receiving scores and second in receiving yards, Dollison ranked third in the Sun Belt and 30th nationally in yards per reception (17.77) while ranking fifth in the league in receiving touchdowns. Dollison turned in a career-high 125 receiving yards at North Carolina and made four catches of at least 50 yards this year.
Thompson was one of the Sun Belt's best tight ends in 2024, as he tallied 32 receptions for 427 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Thompson ranked tied for second in the Sun Belt among tight ends in receiving touchdowns and was 13th overall in receiving scores. He additionally converted a pair of two-point conversions – one rush and one pass to a fellow tight end. After making zero catches in 2023, Thompson had three or more grabs in five games.
JMU All-Sun Belt Selections
First Team
Offensive Line – Pat McMurtrie
Offensive Line – Cole Potts
Defensive Line – Eric O'Neill
Defensive Back – Terrence Spence
Second Team
Defensive Line – Khairi Manns
Linebacker – Jacob Dobbs
Defensive Back – Jacob Thomas
Third Team
Punter – Ryan Hanson
Return Specialist – Cam Ross
Honorable Mention
Quarterback – Alonza Barnett III
Defensive Line – Immanuel Bush
Wide Receiver – Omarion Dollison
Tight End – Taylor Thompson
Players Mentioned
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