Breaking Down JMU's 2023 Recruiting Class

JMU’s first season in the Sun Belt Conference last year was a success and put teams on notice that they could immediately be competitors in the FBS. Curt Cignetti and his staff have continued to produce positive results these last four seasons. The Dukes are looking to build on what they did last year in the Sun Belt and start competing for conference championships. This 2023 recruiting class is the next step in solidifying themselves as a powerhouse in their conference. Let’s break down the highlights of the class.

Author:
Owen Helton
Publish date:
Mar 1, 2023

Best Overall: D'Angelo Ponds

Cornerback, Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Hollywood, FL)

Primarily played nickel for Chaminade-Madonna his junior and senior year. Adequate height and weight for a college nickel corner. Outside of his size, there are no real weaknesses in his game. Displays very good athletic ability due to his speed, change of direction and acceleration. Asked to mainly play press man in Cov1 guarding the opposing team’s slot WR. Has some experience playing press man on the outside but is most comfortable playing nickel now. Uses subtle hands and good footwork to stay in phase with WRs on both short/deep crossing routes. Good hands to force pass breakups, plays bigger than his size at the LOS. In press man, there’s not a lot of false steps and he utilizes that 5 yards to jam and force WR to re-direct their stem. When in zone coverage, he shows good eye discipline combined with his toughness to affect WR’s release while looking for other options to work into his zone. Quick to jump on screens and throws to the flat, uses his reactions and elusiveness to quickly get around blockers and make plays in the backfield. Solid tackler, attacks RB/WRs on the perimeter with good pad level. If he’s able to put on good muscle in the next 6 months, I can see him being an immediate impact player for the Dukes this fall.

Most Underrated: Darold Dengohe

Defensive Tackle, La Salle College High School (Glenside, PA)

Solid size and weight for a 4-3 DT, very aggressive with his hands and consistently attacks OL with good pad level. Got experience in high school playing NT and 1/3Tech DT. Shows good mental processing of run/pass quickly after the snap. Against the run, he displays good hand strength and balance to not get moved off the LOS and quickly shed before the RB passes him. During pass plays, he attacks the OL under the chest plate and wins with his bull rush. Shows solid pursuit and football I.Q. when he’s running down the LOS to make tackles on outside runs that aren’t directly coming at him. Will need to be coached up on his acceleration/get-off and pass rush moves. Underrated and powerful player that can develop into a good starter at the 4-3 DT position by his sophomore season.

Most Important Signing: Jordan McCloud

Quarterback, University of Arizona (Transfer)

Dual-threat QB that will have to be accounted for in the run game, had success with read option looks and designed runs at Arizona. Athletic QB that has potential to replicate what Todd Centeio did last year as a transfer at JMU. Shows good pocket presence and ability to move in the pocket with his base and shoulders still being aimed downfield. Good anticipation and mental processing as a thrower, does a good job of leading WRs on intermediate routes giving them a promising look for yards after the catch. Solid arm strength and release, can make all of the deep throws and get the ball out quick to the flat and on one-read RPO passes. Will compete with Brett Griffis (transfer from WF) for the starting job this off-season. I believe the dual-threat ability and P5 experience that McCloud brings to the table will earn him the opportunity to be the leader of this Dukes offense in the fall.

Name to Watch: Phoenix Sproles

Wide Receiver, North Dakota State University (Transfer)

An offensive weapon that can be an immediate impact for this team. Very explosive player with the ball in his hands. Will consistently beat man coverage in the middle of the field and provide very good run after the catch ability. Displays a good release, very good acceleration and start-stop ability in space. Made numerous plays for NDSU on deep crosses, screens and reverses. Possesses the long speed to win vertical routes on the perimeter. This is an experienced player that can start in the slot and potentially provide return value on special teams as well. This is a player that JMU is familiar with due to their battles with NDSU in the FCS playoffs, Sproles scored a 38yd TD run on a fake double-reverse play back in the 2019 FCS National Championship against the Dukes.

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