HARRISONBURG – Through James Madison’s first four practices, sophomore Nick Carlton has taken first-team reps at tight end.

Carlton’s coaches and teammates have raved about his ability since the spring as he’s benefitted from extra opportunities. Senior tight end Jonathan Kloosterman, a STATS FCS preseason third-team All-American, didn’t practice in the spring due to injury and is being eased into the August camp.

First-year JMU inside receivers and tight ends coach Fontel Mines said it’s easy to understand why Carlton stands out.

“I think the Nick has all the tools to play this game for a very long time,” Mines said. “I’ve been around some pretty good tight ends, and I think he has the skillset to be a really talented player at this level.”

And for more on Saturday’s practice here are today’s notes:

*****

- In the first four days Carlton has lined up as a true tight end, slot receiver and has been flexed out wide depending on the formation. Mines said tight end is the most versatile spot on the field and that whoever is in the game at that position has to be able to block and catch. Mines said even though Carlton has a lot of responsibility, “I think he does a great job of trying to balance them all.”

- At the inside receiver spot, senior John Miller and true freshmen Ezrah Archie and Josh Sims had a strong Saturday at practice, according to Mines. Mines said Archie, a product of Timber Creek Regional High School (N.J.), is very smart and is picking up the playbook quickly.

- Saturday was JMU’s fourth practice and its second in shoulder pads and helmets. The Dukes’ first full-padded practice is Sunday. The next practice open to the media is Tuesday.

- Mines is one of two new coaches on staff. Special teams coordinator and outside linebacker coach Roy Tesh is the other. On Saturday both said they are adjusted well to Harrisonburg. Mines said “I think I’m finally settled in.” Tesh said after moving quickly in June from Charleston, S.C., all his stuff is still boxed up, but he’s happy he’s at JMU and is set for football season.

- There are a few position battles on special teams Tesh is just starting to evaluate, he said. At punter true freshman Harry O’Kelly and redshirt freshman Jeremiah McBride are competing, and at punt returner, as JMU tries to replace 2016 Colonial Athletic Association Special Teams Player of the Year Rashard Davis, the team has six guys catching punts right now. Tesh said those position battle have all of camp to play out.

- This week JMU added two FBS transfer offensive linemen in ex-Maryland guard EJ Donahue and ex-South Carolina tackle Pika Leota. Since winning the national title in January, JMU has added seven Power Five transfers – Donahue, Leota, defensive lineman Ron’Dell Carter (Rutgers), linebacker Landan Word (Virginia), wide receiver David Eldridge (Virginia) and Gus Little (Maryland), and running back Marcus Marshall (Georgia Tech).

- Carter is taking reps at defensive end. At 6-foot-3, 270 pounds, he has good size. Here’s Carter going through a drill with defensive line coach Jeff Hanson on Saturday:

- Word is working as a middle linebacker. He said JMU’s talent level, “is not any different” than any Power 5 program’s talent level. He added the one slight difference is the overall team size.

- After Word decided to leave Virginia, he said Maryland tried to recruit him, but once he visited JMU, he felt the reigning FCS champ gave him the better opportunity to succeed.

- Eldridge said his transition from Virginia to JMU is smooth so far. He’s lined up at both outside receiver and slot receiver. He said likes the fact that he can play both because it gives him different ways to exploit the defense.