QB Kadum Commits To Madison

HARRISONBURG – Shane Montgomery didn’t waste anytime settling into his new gig.

The James Madison offensive coordinator was determined to help first-year Dukes coach Curt Cignetti land a quarterback for this recruiting class.

“When Coach Montgomery got the JMU job he called me the same day,” said Rome (Ga.) quarterback Knox Kadum, who committed to the Dukes on Sunday. “Not long after Coach Cignetti was calling with heavy interest. Then two weeks ago they invited me for my official visit this weekend.”

Kadum, a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, held 15 total scholarship offers including ones from Charlotte and Florida Atlantic – the two schools he said he considered most before pledging to JMU in Cignetti’s office on Sunday. The signal-caller also had one Power Five offer from Rutgers.

“It’s very humbling to know all the opportunities that were open to me,” Kadum said, “and to be done with the process knowing I have picked the best place for me. The process can be very hectic, but knowing I’m coming to a great school, great program, and great staff makes it well worth the time put into this decision.”

At Rome, Kadum was a four-year starter, compiled a 49-6 record and led the Wolves to two state titles. Over his career he threw for 7,400 yards, rushed for 2,414 yards, tallied 118 total touchdowns and was only intercepted 15 times. As a senior this past fall, he had 1,633 passing yards, 619 rushing yards and 32 total touchdowns.

“I believe my leadership and my ability to extend plays to beat a defense in the air or with my legs are my strong points,” Kadum said.

When the 6-foot-3, 185-pounder signs his Letter of Intent on Feb. 6, he’ll be the first high school quarterback JMU has inked since Gage Moloney in the recruiting class of 2017. Kadum said Moloney hosted him on the official visit.

“I learned all about the expectations, the campus, student life, the city of Harrisonburg,” Kadum said, “and just the tradition this school has of winning.”

Moloney, a redshirt sophomore, along with senior Ben DiNucci and redshirt junior Cole Johnson all return after seeing game action in 2018. DiNucci was the team’s starter this past season, but adding Kadum to the mix gives JMU a quarterback in each class.

Montgomery’s expectation for Kadum is to compete, according to quarterback, who has trust in his future play-caller and position coach. Montgomery was at Charlotte for a season before joining Cignetti in Harrisonburg this past December.

“Coach Shane Montgomery has been recruiting me since he first got to Charlotte,” Kadum said. “We’ve built a lifetime relationship together.”

Earlier this month, Montgomery said the relationship between a coach and a quarterback was the most valued facet of recruiting a quarterback.

“You’re always trying to get to know the kid,” Montgomery said. “And I think it’s that much more important to the quarterback position.

“You want to know if they’re going to be the leader of your team for four or five years, so you’re looking for a guy that has leadership qualities and is a winner and that makes the people around him better. Doesn’t necessarily have to have the strongest arm or be the fastest guy, but he just makes his team better and they have trouble winning without him. You’re looking to see if he has the ability to make all the throws in our offense, guys that are mobile, guys that are tough mentally and physically.”

Kadum, when he signs, will also be the second signee in the class from Georgia along with Mount Vernon (Atlanta) running back Austin Douglas, who is already signed. Since Cignetti was hired last month he has said Georgia is a state he believes JMU can recruit successfully in.