Guest Post: JMU Football Spring Game Notes

Our buddy Michael made the trip down to the ‘burg on Saturday for the spring game. He agreed to let us post his thoughts on what was looking good, and what wasn’t. Give it a read and then give him a follow on Twitter at @Michael_2Clutch

Saturday was the perfect day for football and a sign for greater things to come for the Dukes. In front of 2500+ fans, JMU hosted their annual spring game and for the first time, allowed tailgating on Godwin field.

Here’s the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly from the 58-39 Purple (defense) victory:

Good:

• Sr Khalid Abdullah and rJr Cardon Johnson are an elite tandem and Coach Houston is looking to go fast. JMU showcased a two-back formation utilizing both potential all-conference running backs which will be deadly for defenses. We are 4 deep at the position as Taylor Woods was difficult to tackle and the speedster, Trai Sharp, looked equally impressive. JMU will continue to run the up tempo no-huddle spread under new OC, Donnie Kirkpatrick.

• JMU is as talented as ever at wide receiver. Domo Taylor left early due to an apparent concussion but looks even bigger than last year. Rashard Davis, John Miller and ODU transfer, Quintin Reynolds, had a number of catches in the middle of the field. Ravanel and Hyman will be elite threats on the outside; both look especially hungry and physically impressive.

• The defense looks much more tough, physical and fundamentally sound. The pads were “clacking” on Saturday and we saw more wrap-up tackling than the lunging and arm-tackling of old. For the first time in 3 spring games, no running back was able to break for a 40+ yard touchdown. rSR Gage Steele played phenomenal and looks much more comfortable in Coach Trott’s scheme. JR Brandon Hereford and SO Dimitri Holloway looked great as well, both are athletic and have impressive sideline-to-sideline speed

• In JMU’s “new” 4-2-5 defensive front (a staple of the Mickey Matthews era), Kyre Hawkins looks to play the hybrid Strong Safety/Linebacker role that Vidal Nelson used to thrive in – the position often asks for a “tweaner” who has the range to play zone versus inside receivers but also the bulk and mindset to provide heavy run support

• JMU is deep in the secondary. Jordan Brown moved back to safety, Reynold was dominant as usual and many of the true freshmen (Branch, Robinson, Oliver) from last season made some big time plays. Florida A&M safety transfer, Robert Carter, seemed to always be around the ball as well. Coach Trott called for more secondary blitzes which is a nice wrinkle for offenses to gameplan for

Here’s a nice hit by Rashad Robinson on Rashard Davis:

#JMUfootball #Boom pic.twitter.com/Jp6YZhLvHu

— Michael Evangelista (@Michael_2Clutch) April 16, 2016

Bad:

• West Virginia/Lackawanna transfer, Martez Stone looks to provide depth at defensive tackle teaming with Cornell Urquhart and Simeyon Robinson but overall depth seems to be lacking on the line. Kirk Robinette was very active at defensive end after transitioning from linebacker, his HS position. Look for a few of the incoming recruits to push the incumbent players

• Former walk-on Kloosterman has big shoes to fill in replacing Deane Cheatham. The tight ends weren’t very active in the passing game which was probably due more to play design than a showcase of talent. Schiele was the main back-up with former QB, Mack Cullen, under his wings. Expect incoming freshman, Lawton Riggs, to get some PT

• While it was encouraging to see the Dukes back under the center, the starting offense failed to punch it into the endzone on 1st and Goal. The defensive line did a great job of stonewalling the offensive line and Gage Steele, on one play, had a phenomenal hit on the running back. rSr Kyle Rigney replaces Dominick Richards and currently-injured rJR Nick Edwards replaces Austin Lane; rJR AJ Bolden saw plenty of time at guard in replacement as well as rFR Tyree Chavious for rSR Mitchell Kirsch who’s recovering from surgery

• While not necessarily “bad” per say, it would’ve been nice to see Coach Mike Houston address the crowd either before or after the spring game. It was an amazing day in the burg’ and there was an impressive crowd mixed with both fans and recruits. It seemed like the perfect way to get in touch with the fans who made the drive and to instill additional excitement for next year  

Ugly:

• Quarterback depth and play: Bryan Schor, the only scholarship QB, did little to instill confidence for JMU Nation to believe he’s the right man for the job. Too many 3 and outs, inaccurate throws and missed/slow reads left fans discouraged. There were a number of “He was open!” comments being yelled and even when he decided to unwind the arm in the 4th quarter, it was a little too late. The QB position will be the story to keep up with during the offseason, walk-on Hunter Etheridge looked impressive manning the 2nd team

• Jimmy Moreland… I’m a huge Jimmy fan but he seemed to struggle; running mostly with the second team. I saw him get man-handled in press coverage a few times and he just looks like someone who’s been away from football for a year. He’ll have time to get back into his freshman year shape but he’ll be hard-pressed to find a spot especially if the talent continues to develop. Keep an eye out for #37

Recruiting Notes:

• JMU received 3 verbal commitments over the weekend (40-50 total recruits in attendance):

• PK Kier, 5’11 205lb RB (VA): offers from ODU, TX State, App State, Marshall
• Garrett Groulx, 6’3 240lb DE (NC):offers from Charleston Southern, Eastern Kentucky, Army, Mercer, Elon, ODU
• Robbie Walker, 5’9 180lb WR (transfer from Ohio University): former 3 star WR comes to JMU with 3 years of eligibility

It was great meeting fans like @PurpleReign300 and @RyanRutherchevy in person and we have plenty to be excited for! Expect Coach Houston and Co.. to continue to supplement an already-talented roster with additions during the offseason.

Go Dukes!