Five James Madison Freshmen, Sophomores Destined For Playing Time

HARRISONBURG — Whether it’s out of necessity or because the player is ready to see the field earlier than expected, some of the youngest on James Madison’s roster will fill significant roles for the Dukes this season.

Here are five freshmen and sophomores with little or no experience destined for the two-deep ahead of James Madison’s Sept. 2 opener at East Carolina:

Soph. LB Bryce Maginley

The former high school quarterback turned college defender is a lock to start at outside linebacker for James Madison.

Last season, Maginley found his way onto the field through special teams. He made the most of his opportunity when he registered a touchdown on a scoop-and-score fumble recovery in JMU’s FCS quarterfinal win over Sam Houston State.

This year, though, in addition to special teams Maginley will be featured at outside linebacker as he replaces the graduated Justin Wellons, who started most games at the position for JMU in 2016.

“I know more about my position and how it affects other people’s position,” Maginley said. “In the spring, I would just run through my plays without knowing why I was doing it. Now I know why.”

Maginley is also up to 230 pounds, which he said is a 10-pound increase from last season.

“It’s a big role for me,” Maginley said. “Last year I played mostly special teams, but now going in as the starter, I’m feeling pretty good.”

Soph. TE Nick Carlton

With senior preseason All-American Jonathan Kloosterman suspended for the first two games of the year due to a “violation of team rules,” second-year coach Mike Houston has to break in a new tight end.

While Houston hasn’t yet named a starter at the position, JMU has given the majority of first-team reps to sophomore Nick Carlton during August training camp.

“We’ve challenged him,” Houston said. “I think he’s got all the potential in the world, and hopefully he’ll be up to the task.”

Carlton’s position coach, Fontel Mines, said the Alpharetta (Ga.) High School product has to work most on run blocking, but has shown capability to do it well.

“I think tight end is the most versatile position on the field,” Mines said. “You have to be able to block like a lineman, run routes like a receiver and you have to be able to protect, so he has a lot on his plate. But I think he does a good job of trying to balance them all.

“He is a talented, skillful player that we expect a lot of good things from this year.”

Fr. CB Wesley McCormick

JMU entered August camp with four experienced corners in juniors Jimmy Moreland, Curtis Oliver, Rashad Robinson and Charles Tutt, but when Tutt was ruled out for the season with an ACL injury, the Dukes were forced to add a first-year player to the two-deep.

Wesley McCormick, out of Northwest (Germantown, Md.) High School will be the team’s fourth cornerback. Moreland and Robinson will likely start at the true corner positions. Oliver will play the nickel corner like he did during JMU’s postseason run, and McCormick will back those three up.

“We expect Wesley McCormick to be in the two-deep, travel and play at corner,” Houston said.

Houston said McCormick and fellow freshman Taurus Carroll would make the travel roster.

Moreland said his freshman teammates have done a nice job learning quickly at practice.

“They both are explosive,” Moreland said. “They both know how to read plays. One is good with man coverage and the other is good with zone coverage, so they both just have to work on their weakness to get better and to know their positions.”

R-Fr. S D’Angelo Amos

Since the spring, JMU has searched for a third safety — someone to back up both starting seniors Raven Greene and Jordan Brown.

Redshirt freshmen D’Angelo Amos and Reggie Collins as well as sophomore Adam Smith were involved the competition, but Amos is likely to win the reserve role.

“D’Angelo Amos has played really well in the secondary,” Houston said.

Amos is also the backup punt returner to senior John Miller.

Fr. OT Liam Fornadel

The Dukes have a few young players that will see time on the offensive line.

Redshirt sophomore right tackle Jahee Jackson and redshirt sophomore right guard Gerren Butler are likely to be first-time starters when the team kicks off its season in Greenville, N.C. But at some point this fall true freshman Liam Fornadel is going to play.

Throughout camp, the former three-star recruit has taken second-team snaps at right tackle.

“We had a session the other night where I’d call a player up and tell him to teach me the play,” offensive line coach Bryan Stinespring said. “Liam went up there, taught me the play and drew up all five guys, not just him.

“He went through the calls, and I sat there, and I’m not easily impressed, but I was pretty close to being impressed. He understood the play, not just his job, but he knew where the tailback’s aiming points were.”

Fornadel, who played at Don Bosco Prep, a parochial football power in New Jersey, stands at 6-foot-4, 309 pounds, which doesn’t hurt either.

Bonus

R-Fr. P Jeremiah McBride or Fr. P Harry O’Kelly: Whatever happens with the battle for the starting punter will result in a first-time starter for the Dukes.

“We have a pretty good competition going on right now between Harry O’Kelly and Jeremiah McBride,” Houston said. “Harry had a really great first scrimmage. Jeremiah had a big day [Friday], so I’d say that battle is going to continue all the way up to game week.”