To some, James Madison falling short of winning the Sun Belt Conference could be considered a loss on the season. However, one thing that the team’s consistent success has done is help the JMU football team continue to recruit better than most SBC schools.
Learn about some of the most recent commits to JMU, as we highlight the newest members of the Dukes.
JMU Football 2025 Recruits
Ethan Gurela, Tight End
On top of playing football, Ethan Gurela was also a state-champion in lacrosse at Roswell High School in Roswell, Georgia. As a junior, Gurela amassed a total of 17 receptions, for 343 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Gurela was the Hornets’ third leading receiver as a senior, where he finished the season with 29 receptions for 467 yards and three touchdowns. The 6-foot, 3-inch tight end possesses good speed and hands for his position, and is also an above average blocker.
Jackson McCarter, Running Back
Jackson McCarter originally committed to play at Villanova. However, he eventually re-opened his recruitment, and later signed with the Dukes.
McCarter attended Patriot High School in Prince William County, Virginia. McCarter was First-Team All-Region as a junior, where had 1,802 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns. He was also the 2023 Cedar Run District Offensive Player of the Year. He continued his stellar production as a senior, where he ran for 1,372 yards and 25 touchdowns. McCarter could eventually emerge as a very valuable asset to JMU’s run game.
Roddrey McWilliams, Cornerback
Roddrey McWilliams was utilized in various different ways at Benedictine College Preparatory. As a senior, he had 42 tackles, four interceptions (including two pick-sixes), 51 receptions, 865 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns, 417 combined return yards and one kick return touchdown.
In his senior season, McWilliams was a First-Team All-State defensive back and wide receiver. While McWilliams could thrive on both sides of the football for JMU, they look to use him as just a cornerback for now.
Parker Cunningham, Offensive Lineman
Parker Cunningham is an all-conference wrestler who played both offense and defense for the South Park Eagles. As a junior, Cunningham accumulated a total of five sacks, to go along with 15 TFL and two interceptions. In Cunningham’s senior year, he finished with six sacks, 9.5 TFL, and a whopping 125 pancakes while on offense.
Seth Gathers, Safety
Seth Gathers attended North Point High School in Maryland. In his junior and senior seasons, he had a combined 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. Gathers was First-Team All-Conference defense as a junior and senior, as well as Second-Team All-Conference offense as a senior.
Jerald James, Defensive Lineman
As a junior, Jerald James attended Miami Killian Senior High School, where he had 68 tackles, 24 TFL, 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. James played his senior season for the Miami Palmetto Panthers. He finished the year with 41 tackles, 12 TFL, five sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. James was also a track & field athlete.
Grayson Gilmore, Defensive Lineman
Football runs deep throughout the Gilmore family. Grayson’s father, John Gilmore, played college football at Penn State and spent time in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints. Grayson was First-Team All-County as a junior and senior at Sunlake High School. In those two seasons, he combined for 110 tackles, 40 TFL and 21 sacks.
Trent Wilson, Offensive Lineman
One thing is certain when it comes to Trent Wilson, and that’s his strength. In high school, Wilson was a dual-sport athlete who threw the shot put and discus for the track & field team. He holds Southlake Carroll all-time records for bench press, back squat and power clean. Wilson’s dad, Travis, was a tight end at TCU.
Roy’Marr Thomas, Defensive Lineman
During Roy’Marr Thomas’ time at Plant High School in Tampa, Florida, he was First-Team All-State as a junior, and First-Team All-County as a senior. In Thomas’ final two seasons for the Panthers, he had a combined 70 tackles, 41 TFL, 28 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception.
Michael Scott, Wide Receiver
Michael Scott can do it all. At Dallastown Area High School, Scott was All-American in lacrosse and soccer. He also won defensive player of the year in basketball. And in football, Scott played wide receiver, defensive back, and kicker for the Wildcats.
As a junior, he had 1,200 all-purpose yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. Scott was even better in his senior year, with 1,500 all-purpose yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions. He made 35-of-37 combined FG and PAT.
Scott was First-Team All-State as a junior and senior. He was also a First-Team All-Conference wide receiver as a sophomore, a First-Team All-Conference defensive back as a sophomore, and a First-Team All-Conference kicker as a junior. He brings incredible versatility and playmaking ability to the JMU football team.
Cole Webster, Defensive Lineman
Cole Webster went to Cuthbertson High School in Union County, North Carolina. There, he was a dual-sport athlete who was a 2024 state qualifier in track & field.
As a junior, Webster had 73 tackles, 14 TFL, six sacks and one fumble recovery. As a senior, he played even better, amassing 75 tackles, 23 TFL, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception. Webster’s performance was good enough to earn him an All-Southern Carolina Conference selection as a junior and senior.
Kai Callen, Defensive Back
Kai Callen is more than just a football player. He’s a tri-sport athlete who was a state qualifier in track & field. He also played baseball.
As a junior on the Highland High School football team, Callen had 47 tackles, three interceptions and 10 touchdowns. Callen was the top-ranked recruit in the 2025 class throughout the entire state of Idaho, before transferring to Carrollton High School in Georgia. He was an All-State defensive back and wide receiver as a sophomore and junior. Callen will look to bring his impressive traits to the Dukes’ secondary.
Jamarcus Smith, Wide Receiver
Jamarcus Smith went to Gaffney High School in South Carolina. As a junior, Smith racked up 49 receptions for 787 receiving yards and six touchdowns. As a senior, he accumulated 69 receptions for 1,034 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Smith was All-Region as both a sophomore and junior. He was also an all-region selection in basketball. If his talent can transition to the college football level, Smith will be a steal for JMU.
Brian Hnat, Tight End
Brian Hnat, just like Jamarcus Smith, was a basketball star in high school. However, he chose to follow a career in football.
Hnat was First-Team All-Conference as a senior, where he gathered 40 receptions for 619 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. On defense, he had 58 tackles and seven interceptions, including a pick-six. Hnat, considering his 6-foot, 5-inch frame, will make a big impact as a blocker in the Dukes’ run game.
JD Rayner, Offensive Lineman
JD Rayner, similar to Parker Cunningham, played defense in high school before transitioning full-time to offense as he approaches the college football level.
In his sophomore and junior seasons for the Catholic Memorial Knights, Rayner combined for seven sacks, 14 TFL and a forced fumble. This past season, JMU allowed the third-most sacks of any team in the Sun Belt Conference – and threw the most interceptions. It’s safe to say that the Dukes could highly benefit from a player who can help give Alonza Barnett III extra time in the pocket, and Rayner is here to do just that.
