A Look At The 11 FBS Transfers Expected To Be On JMU's Roster

It’s only mid-May and the Dukes have three FBS transfers in the fold – Rutgers defensive lineman Ron’Dell Carter, Virginia wide receiver David Eldridge and Virginia linebacker Landan Word.

The three haven’t been officially announced by the school, but have each individually announced their intentions on social media. In an interview this week, Carter said he’s already on campus.

With the additions, JMU will have 11 FBS transfers on its roster for the 2017 season. Of the 11, eight have transferred or will have transferred from Power Five conferences (five from the ACC, two from the Big 10 and one from the Big 12).

Projected starting defensive end Darrious Carter gives JMU three former Virginia players – the most from any one school.

Here’s a closer look at all 11 transfers, what they’ve done in their careers and how they project for this fall.

Incoming (3)

Ron’Dell Carter – DL – r-So. – Rutgers

Carter redshirted at Rutgers in 2015 and played in five games with the Scarlet Knights in 2016 making two tackles and recording 1/2 sack. After taking snaps with Rutgers’ second-string defense in the spring, Carter said he transferred to play with his older brother, Dukes linebacker Robert Carter Jr. The younger Carter has his work cut out for him if he wants to start at defensive end as JMU returns projected starters Darrious Carter and Andrew Ankrah.

David Eldridge – WR – Jr. – Virginia

The former Kettle Run High School standout played in 18 of 24 contests in his two-year stint at U.Va. Against Duke in 2016, he had two catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. Eldridge should compete for first-team snaps immediately upon arrival as the Dukes have lost three starting receivers from their national championship squad.

Landan Word – LB – So. – Virginia

As a freshman at Virginia, Word appeared in 11 of 12 games with two starts. He made 21 total tackles, had two sacks and three tackles for loss. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder should help James Madison in pass-rush situations immediately. He could play outside linebacker or even line up at defensive end.

On Roster (8)

Terrence Alls – WR – r-Sr. – Duke

Alls made an immediate impact after getting to JMU a few days into the team’s August training camp last summer. He was a third-team All-CAA wide receiver hauling in 39 catches for 575 yards and five touchdowns. He made eight starts in 2016, and should make more in 2017.

A.J. Bolden – OL – r-Sr. – Toledo

Bolden redshirted at Toldeo in 2013 and began his time at JMU in 2014. He started all 15 games at left guard this past season and is likely to do so again in 2017. Bolden and left tackle Aaron Stinnie give Madison an experienced duo on the left side of the offensive line.

Darrious Carter – DL – r-Jr. – Virginia

Carter arrived at JMU last summer, so it took him time to learn the defense. Once he figured it out, the 6-foot-5, 240-pounder was pretty good. He had a sack in the semifinal win at North Dakota State and another in the national championship game against Youngstown State. Carter is projected to start opposite Ankrah in the fall.

Ishmael Hyman – WR – r-Sr. – Kansas

Since leaving the University of Kansas, Hyman has shown flashes of his potential at JMU. Hampered by injury in 2016, he made only five catches for 75 yards as a redshirt junior. The spring was good to Hyman, earning praises from his coaches and teammates. One of his fellow wide receivers, John Miller, said Hyman would have been best receiver on the team if he were healthy last fall. He gives the Dukes a deep-ball threat.

Gus Little – LB – r-So. – Maryland

Recruited by Randy Edsall’s staff at Maryland, Little didn’t see any action in two seasons with the Terrapins. The Massaponax High School product had a solid first spring with the Dukes, though. Inside linebackers coach Byron Thweatt said it took Little only six practices to learn the team’s defensive scheme. Little will be in the mix to be one of the four “ready-made guys” that Thweatt tabs for playing time.

Marcus Marshall – RB – Jr. – Georgia Tech

Each of the last two years, Marshall led Georgia Tech in rushing. He said he left the school because he didn’t want to play in a triple-option offense anymore. Throughout the spring, he took snaps with JMU’s first- and second-team offenses. The Dukes are likely to use at least three backs - Marshall, Cardon Johnson and Trai Sharp - consistently in the fall. He’ll get his share of carries.

Quintin Reynolds – WR – r-Jr. – Old Dominion

Reynolds played in two games over two seasons at Old Dominion and only played in three games as a redshirt sophomore at JMU this past fall. He was behind veteran starters while trying to learn a new offense. In the spring, he practiced mostly with the second- and third-team offenses.

Robbie Walker – WR – Sr. – Ohio

In his first year at Madison, Walker was used primarily as a return specialist. In 2016, he fielded 18 kickoffs for 387 return yards. Walker will get looks to be the kickoff-return guy again, but also could see action in the slot after earning some second-team reps at inside receiver during the spring. At Ohio, he played 21 games over two seasons.