May 4 / Rob

Dukes Pick Up Another UVA Transfer

wordFor the second time this offseason, a player announced that he’s transferring from UVA to JMU. Yesterday it was linebacker Landan Word. Last week wide receiver David Eldridge decided to leave the Cavs for the Dukes. Both players should add depth to a talented JMU squad.

Transfers from P5 programs always excited fans. More so when they’re from P5 programs (technically speaking, UVA is still a P5 program). Historically, FBS to FCS transfers have a mixed track record of success. At least on paper though, Ward looks like he could be a real difference maker. And Eldridge could be a versatile weapon in Donnie Kirkpatrick’s offense.

Word played in 11 games as a true freshman last season, starting twice. He had a legit chance to be a 3 year starter for the Hoos. As a 3 star player coming out of high school and his father, Barry Wood, was a former ACC Player of the Year for UVA who went on to play 7 years in the NFL. He looks like a great replacement for Gage Steele and an outstanding addition to the JMU defense. He has 3 more years of eligibility.

Eldridge is a 6’1″ 185 pound receiver who was mostly used a deep threat at UVA. He also played in 11 games last year, making 8 catches for 2 TDs. He also saw limited action in 2015, so he’ll come to Harrisonburg with 2 more years of eligibility. He expressed some frustration that the Cavs primarily used him as a deep threat and has stated that he’d like to be more involved in other ways. He’s a great addition to a JMU receiving corps that includes two other FBS transfers. Terrance Alls transferred into JMU from Duke last year and Ish Hyman joined the Dukes after originally playing at Kansas.

4 Comments

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  1. Deacon Danny / May 4 2017

    Nice pick ups. I am sure it is a real jolt to the ego of our friends across the mountain that some of their football players are defecting from their football program to move to a winning football program. Sounds like these guys will have the opportunity to compete for some playing time on the JMU squad but they better hit the ground running if they want to find some PT on our squad.

    Wish we could get UVA back on our schedule.

  2. Drake / May 5 2017

    I second the part on getting UVA on our schedule. I’m so jealous that teams like Richmond and W&M get to play them. It would make for such a good rivalry with the teams being less than an hour apart and most families having alum from both schools. Plus, that FBS win would look great.

  3. ShadyP / May 5 2017

    Word is a great addition to the JMU defense. As long as he quickly picks up the scheme, I expect him to be an immediate contributor. The returning LB room with the additions of Gus Little and Landon Word will be very competitive and be able to rotate and stay fresh.

    I hope Eldridge can mesh into the WR group and become an immediate contributor just as Alls was last year.

  4. Phil Jones / May 6 2017

    Interesting pick up. Word is a solid player.

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