Four Dukes Take Home HERO Sports G5 All-America Accolades

HARRISONBURG – Four James Madison standouts were selected to the 2025 HERO Sports Group of Five All-America Team, highlighted by three players making the first team.

Earning G5 All-America honors this season were Wayne Knight (all-purpose), Pat McMurtrie (offensive line), Trent Hendrick (linebacker) and Alonza Barnett III (quarterback. Knight, McMurtrie and Hendrick were First Team selections, while Barnett was a Third Team member.

All four previously were named First Team All-Sun Belt Conference selections.

Knight, a Paul Hornung Award finalist and Second Team All-American all-purpose back, ranks third nationally in all-purpose yards per game (147.0), as he's rushed for 1,263 yards and nine touchdowns while making 37 receptions for 379 yards. He's also added 269 return yards on special teams. He has four 100-yard rushing games this season and was named Sun Belt Football Championship MVP

McMurtrie, a two-year starting right tackle, anchors an offensive line that has helped JMU's offense rank 10th nationally in scoring (37.3) and 22nd in total offense (448.3). The Dukes are also second in the FBS in time of possession (34:05), sixth in rushing (245.8), 19th on third down (.477) and 31st in tackles for loss allowed (4.54). For McMurtrie, he's not allowed a single sack since joining the Dukes prior to the 2024 season.

Hendrick, the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year, leads the Dukes with 96 total tackles this season. Starting all 13 games at linebacker, he's also contributed 6.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, one forced fumble and two pass breakups. Hendrick has posted five or more tackles in every game and gone into double digits four times, which included a career-best 12 at Marshall.

Barnett, the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year, has accounted for 3,077 yards and 35 touchdowns this season. Crowned the winner of the Bill Dudley Award for top Division I player in Virginia, Barnett is 193-of-322 for 2,533 passing yards and 21 touchdowns with 8 interceptions while rushing for 544 yards and a team-best 14 touchdowns on the ground. His 14 rushing scores ranks tied for 13th nationally and sixth amongst all FBS quarterbacks. He's also 10th in the FBS in point responsibility (16.3), 24th in yards per completion (13.12) and 31st in passing touchdowns (21).

This is the first time each of these players have been recognized on the HERO Sports Group of Five All-America Team.

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