Dukes Open Practice With Key Late Addition

The wait is over. JMU officially began camp today with the first football practice of the 2010 season. Ninety players showed up to camp including one who’s a bit of surprise. Wide Receiver Quintin Hunter reported to practice and according to Mickey Matthews is officially a member of the Dukes. Hunter is a transfer from UVA who was admitted to JMU late last week.

It would hypocritical of me to imply that a transfer from a BCS transfer is a guaranteed success. However, Hunter is a versatile athlete who could become a weapon for Drew Dudzik and the Dukes. He played QB and was also a two time all state defensive back in high school. He was considered a four star recruit by Rivals. After playing wide receiver for the Cavs as a true freshman last season, he then took reps at QB during spring practices before leaving the team. He says he wants to play receiver for JMU and has 3 seasons of eligibility remaining.

One interesting twist to the story is the fact that according to this report by The Daily Progress, Hunter told his former teammates he was going to JMU to try to play basketball. He averaged 20 points a game as a senior in high school and led Orange High School to the Virginia Group AA state tournament. According to Mike Barber’s twitter though, Matt Brady had never heard of Hunter, so his former teammates seem to be misinformed.

I’m feeling pretty good about Coach Brady’s recruiting class and the make-up of the hoops roster. The Dukes receiver situation has me slightly less enthused, and this sounds like a big upgrade at the position.