JMU Inks Eight On Early Signing Day
HARRISONBURG — Curt Cignetti didn’t have time to ease into his new job as James Madison football coach.
Less than 48 hours after he was introduced as the eighth coach in program history, he inked eight prospects to Letters of Intent during the NCAA’s early signing period on Wednesday.
“A couple of guys had decommitted when [former JMU coach Mike] Houston left,” Cignetti said. “And then they jumped back on board last night, so it’s a good start.”
Of the eight signees, the Dukes landed three from Virginia, two from North Carolina and one apiece from Georgia, New Jersey and South Carolina. Four play on offense and four play on defense, but it’s the two running backs — Hermitage’s (Richmond) CJ Jackson and Mt. Vernon’s (Atlanta) Austin Douglas — that help Cignetti begin to address an immediate need.
Cignetti said he anticipates adding even more running backs to the roster on top of Jackson, Douglas and the two scholarship players — Percy Agyei-Obese and Jawon Hamilton — that fill the position currently.
Jackson rushed for 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior, but missed his senior season due to a foot injury. Douglas ran for 1,673 yards and 17 touchdowns this fall. Both Jackson and Douglas had FBS scholarship offers before picking the Dukes.
“CJ Jackson has great quickness, speed and acceleration. He can hit the home run,” Cignetti said. “And he’s 100 percent healthy, ready to go.”
Douglas along with Terry Sanford (Fayetteville, N.C.) offensive lineman Tanner Morris briefly decommitted during the transition according to Cignetti, but said he and his staff as well as former Houston staffers Warren Belin and Corico Wright remained persistent with the two prospects.
“Austin Douglas had decommitted when Coach Houston left and was planning on signing in February,” Cignetti said. “JMU remained high on his list along with Georgia State and a few others, but we had been in constant contact with Austin, and last night he had called and informed us that he had changed his mind and decided to sign.
“But he’s an extremely talented player. He’s got excellent hands, good balance and change of direction.”
Morris projects as an interior offensive lineman, Cignetti said.
The last offensive piece, Gaffney (S.C.) tight end Hunter Bullock, will enroll in January along with Shelby (N.C.) cornerback Dorian Davis, who was the first verbal commitment in the class.
Cignetti said both Bullock and Davis should benefit from getting an early start on college.
“I think it allows them to get transitioned academically without the pressure of having to play in season,” Cignetti said. “It allows them to start fast, which enhances their ability to finish strong and also get in the weight room and offseason program with spring ball. So really, when we report to camp in August, they’re almost like sophomores knowing the playbook, techniques and how we practice.”
While those two were longtime verbal pledges, IC Norcom (Portsmouth) linebacker Taurus Jones never publicly announced his decision to commit to JMU until signing his Letter of Intent.
Cignetti said: “He’s the kind of guy that jumps out on tape right away. You don’t have to watch many plays to understand that he’s got the potential to be a great player.”
West Orange (N.J.) safety Jordan White and Gonzaga (D.C.) defensive end Sean Johns round out the eight signees.
During his introductory press conference, Cignetti said he thought JMU would sign half of its 12 commits. The Dukes ended up with two thirds of the class signed as only Thomas Dale (Chester) defensive end Rick D’Abreu, The Avalon School (Wheaton, Md.) defensive end Carlo Jones and Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) defensive end Jalen Green and linebacker Julio Ayamel remain unsigned.
“Very impressed with this group and how they stuck together in a period of uncertainty,” Cignetti said.
The first-year coach said he also appreciates the role Belin and Wright played in keeping the class intact. Belin was named interim coach after Houston left as the school looked for a permanent replacement. In 2018, Belin was JMU’s linebackers coach and Wright was the cornerbacks coach.
“I want to thank Warren and Corico for a job well done,” Cignetti said. “Those guys were out there hustling during a real period of uncertainty. They did a fantastic job of helping to keep the group together, and have been very helpful in this transition as we talk about the current roster as we were solidifying commitments.
“They’re both true professionals.”