JMU Football: Key Transfer Portal Additions for 2025

The James Madison Dukes have been incredibly active in the transfer portal as JMU enters the 2025 football season. JMU will look to improve on their 2024 season which saw them victorious in the Boca Raton Bowl this past season. And in order to do that, JMU expects these transfer additions to play a vital role in the team’s success going forward.

Key Transfer Portal Additions for JMU

Matthew Sluka, QB – UNLV

Before transferring to UNLV, Matthew Sluka spent his first four collegiate season at Holy Cross, where he was able to build a connection with coach Chesney. Sluka started just two games for the Rebels last season, before leaving the program due to an NIL dispute. Sluka completed just 43.8 percent of his passes during his limited playing time in 2024. However, was extremely active in the run game, amassing a total of 253 yards and one touchdown on the ground.

With questions surrounding the availability of Alonza Barnett III, Sluka comes in with the potential to be the Dukes’ starting quarterback in 2025.

Nick DeGennaro, WR – Richmond

Nick DeGennaro was a stud during his time at Richmond. DeGennaro had just over 2,000 receiving yards with the Spiders, as well as 16 receiving touchdowns. He will immediately step in as one of JMU’s top receivers in 2025. While the Dukes recently lost star wideouts Omarion Dollison and Cam Ross, coach Chesney is doing an impeccable job at adding new wide receiver talent!

Camden Coleman, QB – Richmond

Camden Coleman is an extremely enticing transfer portal arrival for JMU. In 2024, Coleman threw for 2,031 yards, 14 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also added six touchdowns on the ground.

Coleman was throwing to the aforementioned Landon Ellis and Nick DeGennaro while playing for the Richmond Spiders. The 6-foot-3 quarterback finished this past season with a PFF grade of 85.3. Coleman still as multiple years of eligibility remaining, making him an incredibly intriguing option for the Dukes entering 2025.

Curtis Harris-Lopez, S – Holy Cross

Curtis Harris-Lopez is already quite familiar with JMU head coach Bob Chesney. Chesney was the head coach at Holy Cross during Harris-Lopez’s first two collegiate seasons. In 2024, the New Hampshire native amassed a total of 56 tackles, including 9.5 tackles for loss. He also had five pass break-ups, a forced fumble, and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

Harris-Lopez was also involved as a kick returner last season for the Crusaders, where he had a 95-yard kick return touchdown against the Bryant Bulldogs. Harris-Lopez should emerge as one of JMU’s top safeties during his final year of eligibility.

Kells Bush, DT – Louisiana Tech

Kells Bush is extremely unproven. After redshirting his first year at LSU, the 309 pound defensive lineman transferred to Louisiana Tech. In Bush’s two seasons with the Bulldogs, he accumulated just 12 total tackles. He also had the lowest PFF grade of any defensive player on Louisiana Tech last season. While Bush still has two years of eligibility, it’s hard to predict how much playing time he’ll actually receive on the Dukes.

Josiah Kennard, LS – East Texas A&M

In 2024, East Texas A&M punted the ball a total of 68 times, averaging 39.8 yards per punt, which was the third-fewest of any team in the Southland Conference. Despite that, Josiah Kennard finished with one of the highest PFF grades of any long snapper in all of college football this year. Kennard has one year of eligibility left.

Chantz Harley, CB – Maryland

After spending his first college season at Villanova, Chantz Harley spent three seasons with the Maryland Terrapins. As a redshirt junior, Harley racked up a total of 16 tackles. Throughout 185 snaps, he finished with a defensive grade of 66.8, per PFF.

A major reason why Harley decided to transfer to JMU had to do with his conversation with Eddie Whitley Jr., the cornerbacks coach for the Dukes, according to Catie Harper of Daily News-Record Sports.

Talked with JMU's Chantz Harley.

The DB said that being in the portal allowed him to take some official visits, which was something he didn't get to do coming out of HS because of COVID.

Also said he felt that Eddie Whitley Jr. was really genuine during their first convo.

— Catie Harper (@CatieHarper) December 29, 2024

Zach Greenberg, OL – UNC

Zach Greenberg started his collegiate journey at Muhlenberg College; a D3 school in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He then transferred to North Carolina.

In 2024, Greenberg played four games for the Tar Heels, finishing with a 3-1 record. In those four games, he had a PFF grade of over 75. Greenberg has taken snaps at both guard and center, and will look to make a big impact for the Dukes in his final year of legibility.

Za’Ron Collins, WR – Tusculum

This isn’t the first player JMU has acquired from Tusculum through the transfer portal. CB Jordan Taylor also spent four years with the Pioneers before transferring to the Dukes. Za’ron Collins played just four games in his sophomore season, where the 6-foot-2 wideout collected 10 receptions for 228 yards. He also gathered two touchdowns as a freshman.

One thing that’s extremely intriguing about Collins is that he still has three years of eligibility. If he decides to spend the rest of his college career with the Dukes, he has the potential to emerge as one of the best Sun Belt receivers.

Collins also possesses great speed. In 2024, he averaged 22.8 yards per reception. Similar to Omarion Dollison, Collins is a massive deep ball threat, and will always make the opposing team pay when left open.

Xavier Holmes, DE – Maine

Xavier Holmes was extremely productive for the Maine Black Bears in 2024, where he logged 72 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and an interception.

Holmes should make an immediate impact for the Dukes in 2025, after losing their star edge rusher, Eric O’Neill. Holmes also received offers from schools such as UMass and FAU, and was named to the 2024 University Division All-New England team.

JT Kouame-Yao, LB – Shepherd

JT Kouame-Yao was a standout last year in the FCS. In his final season with Shepherd, he had 62 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. As a sophomore, he added 66 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack and three interceptions.

Because JMU’s linebacker room has very limited depth, expect Kouame-Yao to have a big role at the start of next season, which will also be his final year of eligibility.

Mekhi Rodgers, CB – St. Francis

Mekhi Rodgers and Chantz Harley weren’t the only cornerbacks that originally committed to JMU through the transfer portal. Jamir Conn was another corner that just finished his sophomore season at Southern Illinois. He later committed, then decommitted to JMU,  transferring to Nebraska, instead.

While this is a big blow for the Dukes, Rodgers will help make up for the loss of Conn. In 2024, at St. Francis, Rodgers stockpiled 25 total tackles, as well as seven passes defended. The 6-foot-2 Philadelphia native should make a big impact for the Dukes in 2025.

Lacota Dippre, TE – Charlotte

JMU was extremely thin on tight ends last season. Besides Taylor Thompson, the position was practically non-existent. Luckily, the Dukes fixed that problem, picking up two freshman tight ends on National Signing Day. They also added Lacota Dippre through the transfer portal.

Yet interestingly, Dippre actually played defensive end at Charlotte in 2024, where he amassed a total of 25 tackles, including three tackles for loss and one sack. While Dippre does have some experience at tight end, it’ll be interesting to see how he adjusts to both a new team and a new position at the FBS level.

Lexington Matthews, P – Savannah State

In 2024, Lexington Matthews had 10 punts that traveled for 50 or more yards. His longest punt was a 70-yarder against Clark Atlanta on Oct. 5. Last season, JMU punted the ball a total of 53 times, averaging 40 yards per punt, which ranked ninth of all Sun Belt teams. Matthews has three years of eligibility remaining, and it expected to replace Ryan Hanson, who is graduating.

Landon Ellis, WR – Richmond

Landon Ellis played college football just a few hours away from JMU at Richmond. In 2024, the sophomore receiver racked up 50 receptions for 588 receiving yards and four touchdowns with the Spiders. Ellis finished the year with a PFF grade of 69.2, which would have been the highest grade of any JMU wideout last season. Ellis should get lots of playing time next season, and with two years of eligibility left, he could without a doubt become a star for the Dukes.

Aiden Gobaira, DL – Notre Dame

Aiden Gobaira was a four-star recruit coming out of high school, and the 180th ranked player in the nation, according to 247Sports. While the 6-foot-5 defensive lineman didn’t get any playing time with the Fighting Irish, Gobaira should have at least three years of eligibility remaining.

We don’t fully know what to expect out of Gobaira. However, it’s safe to say that he has an extremely high upside, considering that he was the seventh-ranked player from the state of Virginia coming out of Chantilly High School.

Jaylan Sanchez, WR – Villanova

Villanova’s wide receiver room was terrible in 2024. The Wildcats averaged just 158.1 passing yards per game, which was the fewest of any team in the Coastal Athletic Association. However, that didn’t stop Jaylan Sanchez from putting up numbers during his first three collegiate seasons.

As a sophomore in 2023, Sanchez caught 28 passes for 716 yards and six touchdowns. As a junior in 2024, Sanchez garnered 39 receptions for 537 yards and three touchdowns. Despite the modest totals, Sanchez’s 537 receiving yards still led the team. Sanchez brings an interesting skillset for the JMU for 2025.

Jeremiah Mawali, OL – Valdosta State

Jeremiah Mawali will add more depth to the Dukes offensive line in 2025. Before Mawali’s time at Valdosta State, the 6-foot-6, 300 pound offensive tackle had stints with both Garden City Community College and Tennessee State. Mawali is entering his final year of eligibility.

In 2024, Valdosta State averaged a whopping 200.6 rushing yards per game, which was the most of any team in the Gulf South Conference. On top of that, the Blazers’ o-line allowed just 12 sacks throughout 14 games last season.

TJ McGill, DB – William & Mary

TJ McGill redshirted his freshman year at William & Mary after appearing in just four games. However, as a sophomore, McGill was a massive playmaker for the Tribe. Throughout 12 games in 2024, the 5-foot-11 North Carolina native racked up a total of 61 tackles, including 39 solo tackles. McGill also had 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception and a forced fumble. While W&M finished ninth in the Coastal Athletic Association, with a 7-5 record, McGill was a big bright spot in their defense.

JMU Transfer Portal Departures

• Tyshawn Wyatt, LT, Virginia
• Eric O’Neill, DE, Rutgers
• Darold DeNgohe, DT, Rutgers
• Jesse Ramil, OL, Mississippi State
• Jamari Somerville, S
• Kalin Jean, DB
• Ke’Marion Baldwin, RB
• Maxwell Moss, WR
• Chris Lofton, WR, Gardner-Webb
• Erick Harris, WR
• Andrew VanSlyke, P
• Chris Ross, WR, Virginia