Chesney Announces Second Round of NLI Signees, Midyear Transfers

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison Head Coach Bob Chesney announced the signing of six high school seniors as part of the February National Signing Day while also officially welcoming the addition of 17 midyear transfers for the 2024 season.

JMU's 2024 signing class currently sits at 34 newcomers, adding in its 11 high school seniors that signed their respective National Letters of Intent back on Dec. 20, 2023.

The 2024 class now consists of eight defensive linemen, six defensive backs (cornerbacks or safeties), six offensive linemen, five linebackers, three wide receivers, two quarterbacks, two running backs, one long snapper and one athlete.

JMU has signed seven players from the Commonwealth of Virginia, five from North Carolina, four from Georgia and two apiece from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, California and Florida. The Dukes also add one player from Delaware, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Texas and Washington.

JMU admitted 25 newcomers in January ahead of winter workouts and spring football, which included eight high school seniors and 17 transfers.

Coach Chesney on Midyear Transfers:
"We're extremely pleased with our student-athletes who joined us at the midyear mark," Chesney said. "Their ability to build relationships quickly and push their personal limits while helping our team begin to reach its goals together is something we're all very excited about. They are men of character and integrity, and their toughness and work ethic has been on display since arriving at JMU and beginning our winter strength & conditioning phase."

Coach Chesney on Freshmen Class Joining Program in June:
"We're ecstatic about these newcomers committing to our school, community and program and can't wait for their arrival in the summer, which will mark the completion of the 2024 JMU football program. These young men come from winning cultures and are great competitors, which is what we place our recruiting premium on leading up to the second signing day. It's well documented that we have great voids to fill, but the foundation of any great program is its freshmen recruiting class. We believe strongly in each of these student-athletes who are set to join our team in June."

Of Wednesday's high school signees and transfer additions, these 20 are currently enrolled at JMU and participating in winter workouts:

AJ Abbasi | Defensive Lineman | 6-4 | 289 | Woodbridge, Va. | West Virginia State

Has two seasons of eligibility remaining
Spent one season at West Virginia State (2023) where he redshirted
Spent two seasons at Hudson Valley Community College (2021-22)
Tallied 15 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks while at HVCC

Has one season of eligibility remaining
Spent three seasons at North Texas (2021-23)
Spent one season at Division II Harding University in Arkansas (2020)
Rushed for 2,230 yards and 16 touchdowns at UNT, averaging 6.8 yards per carry
Ran for 1,017 yards and six scores in 2023, earning Second Team All-American Athletic Conference honors

Has four seasons of eligibility remaining
Redshirted last season at West Virginia (2023), appearing in one game
Prepped one season at Mt. Zion Prep in Maryland

Has one year of eligibility, having spent five seasons at Holy Cross (2019-23)
Redshirted in 2022 after playing in just four games due to injury
2023 William V. Campbell Trophy Finalist
Two-time Stats Perform FCS Buck Buchanan Award Finalist, All-American and Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year (2021, 2023)
2023 Comeback Player of the Year Award
432 career tackles with 46.5 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks, four interceptions, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries at Holy Cross

First Team All-District as a junior and Second Team as a sophomore
Helped teams to playoff appearances in his final three seasons of high school
Tallied more than 6,100 total yards and 53 touchdowns at quarterback
Dual-sport athlete who also played basketball and ran track

First Team All-Region 7-6A as a junior and senior
Had over 100 tackles, four interceptions and 15 pass breakups in his career
Blocked four field goals in his career
Went to three Georgia state playoffs with Alpharetta

Has two seasons of eligibility remaining
Spent two seasons at Laney College (2022-23), serving as long snapper this past season
Bay Six All-Conference linebacker as a sophomore
Had 40 tackles with a sack and interception in 2023
Two-time All-Conference at Acalanes High School

Has two seasons of eligibility remaining
Spent three seasons at Syracuse (2021-23), redshirting 2022 season
Played in 26 career games with 10 starts for the Orange
In time at SU, tallied 45 tackles with five TFL, two sacks and three fumble recoveries
Led ACC and finished sixth nationally with three fumble recoveries in 2023
Has two years of eligibility, having spent three seasons at Syracuse (2021-23)

Has three years of eligibility remaining
Spent two seasons at Virginia Tech (2022-23), redshirting 2022 season
Four-year starter at Lord Botetourt High School
Second Team All-District lineman

Has one year of eligibility, having spent five seasons at Holy Cross (2019-23)
2021 and 2023 Second Team All-Patriot League
Four-year starter on the offensive line
Started 29 games for the Crusaders

Has one year of eligibility remaining
Spent five seasons at Washington (2019-23)
Two-year starter for the Huskies, making 15 starts between 2020 and 2021
Played in 26 career games, throwing for 3,721 yards, 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions
Has 2,458 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2021
2020 All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention selection

Eric O'Neill | Defensive Lineman | 6-3 | 250 | Staten Island, N.Y. | LIU

Has two years of eligibility remaining
Spent three seasons at LIU (2021-23)
Played in 25 career games, starting the last two seasons
2023 Stats Perform Second Team All-American and AP Third Team
2023 Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Buck Buchanan Award finalist
Two-time First Team All-NEC honoree
2022 Jerry Rice Award finalist and Freshman All-American
Had 133 career tackles with 44.5 TFL, 15.5 sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles
Tallied 23.5 TFL in 2023 and 21 in 2022

Has three years of eligibility remaining
Spent two seasons at North Carolina (2022-23), redshirting this past year
Played in 15 career games, including 11 on special teams in 2022
Rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman
Three-time VISAA All-State at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy

Has four seasons of eligibility remaining, redshirting 2023 season at Mississippi State
Scored 22 career receiving touchdowns at Norcross High School (GA)
Had 803 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as a senior and 703 yards and 11 scores as a junior

Has one season of eligibility remaining
Spent five seasons at Holy Cross (2019-23)
2020 Second Team All-Patriot League
Played in 34 career games, rushing for 937 yards and five touchdowns, tallying 426 receiving yards and four scores and throwing for one touchdown
Ran for 435 yards and three scores and tallied 166 receiving yards and TD in 2023

Has two seasons of eligibility remaining
Spent three seasons at Saint Francis (Pa.) (2021-23)
Played in 21 career games
Helped SFU lead the NEC with 360 total yards of offense per game in 2023 and a league-best 203 rushing yards during conference play

Has one season of eligibility with potential of second with medical hardship waiver
Spent four seasons at UConn (2019, 2021-23)
Played in 28 career games for the Huskies
Tallied 114 catches for 1,356 receiving yards and six touchdowns at UConn
Led UConn with 723 receiving yards as a freshman, earning 2019 PFF Honorable Mention Freshman All-America honors
Had 44 catches for 552 yards and two touchdowns in 2023

Has one season of eligibility remaining
Spent two seasons at Fresno State (2022-23) and four at USC (2018-21)
Played in 12 games at Fresno and 29 at USC
Has tallied a career 69 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks and 2 PBU
Made 22 tackles last season with the Bulldogs
Single-season career-high 27 tackles in 2021 at USC

Lloyd Summerall | Defensive Lineman | 6-5 | 240 | Winter Haven, Fla. | USF

Has one season of eligibility remaining
Spent one season at USF (2023) and four at Florida (2019-22)
Played in 36 career games, with eight at USF and 28 at Florida
Career 36 tackles, 7.0 TFL and 2.5 sacks
Made 21 tackles with 4.0 TFL and a sack last season with the Bulls

Atlanta Journal Constitution Second Team All-State as a senior
First Team All-Region 7-6A as a senior and Second Team as a junior
1,529 career receiving yards and 23 touchdowns
Scored 14 touchdowns and averaged 18.7 per catch as a senior
Set school record for touchdowns as a senior
Helped Roswell to 2022 state semifinals and 2021 and 2023 quarterfinals

2023 Second Team All-State
First Team All-Region as a junior and senior and Honorable Mention as a sophomore
Tallied a career 167 tackles, 47 TFL, 26 sacks, three forced fumbles and seven blocks
Helped Rome to 12-2 record as a senior and 13-2 as a junior

Mini Maxwell Award winner
NJ Athletics Player of the Year
First Team All-State offense and defense – only player to earn both in New Jersey
Rushed for 2,115 yards and 24 touchdowns
Also had 141 tackles and eight TFL