HARRISONBURG — James Madison’s Virginia transfers are acclimating to their new team.

Junior receiver David Eldridge is using the first few days of August training camp to figure out how he fits within the Dukes’ offense.

“Right now, I’m getting a lot of work inside, but I play inside and outside, both the Y and Z [positions],” Eldridge said Saturday. “I don’t have a huge dedication to one side, so I’m trying to play both like a hybrid and that’s new for me.”

Eldridge, played exclusively outside for the Cavaliers last fall and hauled in 10 receptions for 285 yards and two touchdowns.

At 6-foot-1, 187 pounds, Eldridge said there are benefits to moving from the slot to out wide and back within a game, series or set of downs.

“You get different looks,” he said. “On the outside, you get more press coverage with deeper routes and inside, is kind of the quick game, so you can get the ball in the open field early.

“I’m looking forward to enhancing the inside to my game, since I’m used to playing on the outside, but I’m learning multiple positions so I can help the team the best I can and get on the field.”

The Dukes are replacing three of their top four receivers from their 2016 national championship team after Rashard Davis, Brandon Ravenel and Domo Taylor graduated.

Eldridge is competing for playing time with seniors Terrence Alls, Ishmael Hyman and John Miller, as well as sophomore Riley Stapleton.

As Eldridge tries to settle in, he’s worked mostly with the second-team offense while earning a few first-team reps, so far.

“It’s a lot coming to a new offense and learning a new playbook, but coming in May for summer school and summer workouts, I got a glimpse,” Eldridge said. “So I’ve had a few months to prepare and gain knowledge.

“Day in and day out [offensive coordinator Donnie] Kirkpatrick and [wide receivers coach Drew] Dudzik, they help me and my fellow receivers. The quarterbacks Bryan Schor and Cole [Johnson], they’re real diligent with me and help me out. If I have questions, they’re there to answer, so it’s coming along pretty good.”

Eldridge is also among a group catching kicks and punts.

Meanwhile, linebacker Landan Word is learning the defensive system.

The sophomore from Vienna is playing middle linebacker at JMU, the same position he played at Virginia. He’s one of five players who could see game action at the position, along with Kyre Hawkins, Brandon Hereford, Dimitri Holloway and Gus Little.

Hawkins and Little, the Maryland transfer, have taken first-team reps through the first five practices.

“It’s one of the most-lively atmospheres I’ve been around playing football in the past few years,” Word said. “We’ve got great team camaraderie and the guys are all in.

“I haven’t played football since about November, so just getting back in the swing of things, it’s a little difficult. But I think on Day 4, I’m getting back in my groove.”

Word said when he made the decision to transfer from Virginia, he picked JMU over Maryland and a few other FCS school that had offered him.

As a true freshman in Charlottesville, Word played in 11 games, had 21 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks.

“I knew JMU was good throughout the past few years, but with Coach [Mike] Houston coming in, I was very impressed with the team,” he said. “And how they could come out with the wins – winning by 70 or 60 points a game – it’s crazy.

“Now that I’m here practicing, I can see why. They practice hard. They play hard and take things very seriously. We’re expecting to do it again and hopefully we can get it done.”

Both Eldridge and Word said the talent at JMU is comparable to what they saw at Virginia and the ACC schools they played against, but Word said the size at certain positions is different, with the Cavaliers having bigger players.

“Talent is the same,” Eldridge said. “Obviously at FBS you have a few just studs, but the talent is no different from where I come from.”

JMU junior defensive end Darrious Carter, who transferred from Virginia before the 2016 season, is projected to start. He had a sack in the national semifinal at North Dakota State, and another in the title game against Youngstown State.