HARRISONBURG – Kevin Curry Jr. said he really wanted to be close to home.

That’s why on Tuesday the John Handley High School wide receiver flipped his commitment from Division II Concord (W.Va.) on a full scholarship to James Madison on a partial scholarship.

“Now there’s a chance for people in my school and other people that I know to come watch me play,” Curry, a 2018 first-team All-Northwestern District selection, said. “It means everything.”

John Handley, located in Winchester, is only about an hour ride north on I-81 from JMU.

“It surprised me a little bit when [JMU] contacted me after I committed to Concord,” Curry said. “I didn’t expect any Division I schools to contact me.”

But that was ahead of a coaching staff change for the Dukes, and according to Curry before former state senator Russ Potts reached out to tell first-year JMU coach Curt Cignetti about the wide receiver after Cignetti got the job.

Potts, who represented Winchester in the state senate and now resides there, is also a former athletic director at Southern Methodist University, a former sports marketing director at the University of Maryland and a former vice president of the Chicago White Sox.

“[Potts] called down to JMU after they got the new coach,” Curry said. “And he must have told the new coach about me.”

Curry hauled in 60 catches for 1,031 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns this past fall for the Judges and earned full scholarship offers from Concord, Alderson-Broaddus (W.Va.), Charleston (W.Va.) and Hampton. Curry said Kent State, Wake Forest and Richmond also showed interest earlier in the recruiting process.

It wasn’t long after Potts’ communication with Cignetti that Curry said he began hearing from JMU wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Mike Shanahan. Curry said the two have spoken frequently over the last few weeks.

Now, Curry, at 6-foot-1, 181 pounds, is the lone wide receiver in the recruiting class of 2019 for the Dukes.

“I’m more of a jump-ball receiver,” Curry said. “I go up and get the 50-50 balls. The goal line and the 50-50 balls, that’s my game. I’m tough.”

The ability to grab the football at its highest point also falls inline with Curry’s basketball background. He’s a member of the John Handley hoops team and helped the Judges reach the Virginia High School League Class 4 state championship game last year.

Curry said he squeezed an official visit to JMU into his busy schedule this past weekend and was hosted by Dukes receiver Kyndel Dean.

“I’m just excited to get a great academic experience, have a great academic future and graduate, of course,” Curry said. “And I want to play for a great team, JMU. They go to the national championship and they win, so I’m excited to play for a good program.”

Curry said he plans to sign his Letter of Intent on Feb. 6.