Guest Post: JMU Football Transfer Round-up
Guest blogger Sean Petrizzi is here to summarize an exciting transfer season for JMU football. Here he breaks down the Dukes 3 big transfers from FBS programs. You can follow Sean on Twitter at @SeanPetrizzi.
Everett Withers has been reaching into the FBS-to-FCS transfer pool big time since arriving in Harrisonburg. While I personally prefer having a guy be brought up with through JMU and developed into a star, there is no denying that an influx of top tier talent can always help an FCS school. All three big time transfers are on the offensive side of the ball, skill position players that are eligible next season. Here is an amateur’s take on the 3 players we can look forward to seeing this fall.
- Vad Lee QB from Georgia Tech- Rivals 3 star recruit in class of 2011
Lee decided to transfer from Georgia Tech because “the triple option was never really his thing.” That tells me two things about recruiting. 1) Many players commit to schools for many different reasons (often bad ones) and 2) Coaches lie to the recruits. Why would you go play for Paul Johnson if the triple option wasn’t your thing? Anyways, Lee was touted as the guy that could take Johnson’s offense to the next level with his ability to throw as well as be the standard running QB the triple option needs. The results were mixed at best with 11 throwing touchdown, 8 rushing but 10 interceptions while leading the Yellow Jackets to a 7-6 record. I still think the Durham native is a huge talent that can thrive at the FCS level even though FCS defenses are better than FBS will give us credit for. Lee will need to play well as he is now the default starter with Birdsong transferring. Ironically, I think Lee would have been the quintessential Mickey Matthews QB with his ability to make plays with his feet. I will be interested to see how Withers will use him and with two years of eligibility at JMU, I am very excited to see what Lee can do.
- Alden Hill RB from Tennessee- Rivals 3 star recruit in class of 2012
Hill is a big guy. A 6’2, 220 pound back that can supposedly run a 4.5 dash is never going to hurt any program. He redshirted his freshman year with the Vols and did not see the field much last year so they’re not a lot of collegiate results to look at. However, in just 10 rushes he ran for 58 yards and a touchdown so it seems that Tennessee liked to used him in short yardage situation and 6 bruising yards would complement Abdullah well. I’m dreaming of long, drawn out 4th quarter drives with a 7 point lead where Coach Withers just hands it to the big guy and we watch the clock melt away. I think a big running back like Hill could see a quicker personal difference between FBS and FCS than Lee because the D-lineman just aren’t as big down here. Hill has 3 years of eligibility and with the tandem of him and Abdullah, I am very excited for JMU’s run game to start the Withers Era.
- Sean Tapley WR from North Carolina- Rivals 3 Start recruit in class of 2010
Tapley is the guy I know the most about since I watched him all his years at Carolina. I loved him there when he wasn’t hurt. Perhaps the most interesting thing about Tapley’s transfer is he played at UNC while Withers was interim head coach in 2011. He was slightly overshadowed with guys like Eric Ebron and Quinshad Davis being the focal point of the passing game the past two years. Tapley is a speedy guy who was also great on special teams, housing a couple of returns for touchdowns. I personally think he will be the best kick returner option we have. He graduated in December and will be getting his masters at JMU. I think he is well worth the one year we will get from him. He is a deep threat and with Brown and Ravenel JMU will have three very formidable receivers for Lee to throw to. Electric wide outs have not been a staple at JMU as long as I have been a fan but the Dukes will have plenty of talent there with the addition of Tapley and a more seasoned Ravenel.
While I am not one to take much stock in recruiting analysis, at the FCS level any star by a recruit’s name is a big deal. To add three 3 star players in one year with two of them being eligible for multiple seasons is a heck of a start to the offense for the new direction of JMU football.
You forgot kansas wr Ishmael hyman. His Twitter says he’s a duke
You think there is a chance we add Jamal Marcus to that mix as well? Although, he could prove to be a headache with his academic issues.
Chad Kelly from Clemson would be a better fit than Lee. He has serious growing up to do but is a much better QB.
Chad Kelly has a Johnny Manziel attitude but not the resume or proven track record. Any coach should be very cautious before dealing with him.
Michael, is that official? Cause that would be awesome but I didn’t see anything on that.
I have been asking for a power running game for a while now (we did with a national championship with it after all). Alden Hill may be the catalyst we need for that kind of transition.
“Lee decided to transfer from Georgia Tech because “the triple option was never really his thing.” That tells me two things about recruiting. 1) Many players commit to schools for many different reasons (often bad ones) and 2) Coaches lie to the recruits. ”
Or 3) he’s not very smart.
Furthermore, I saw a lot of him at GT, and most of the time he couldn’t put a pass within 10 yards of the WR’s. Coach PJ loves to run deep slants over the middle and fly patterns up the sidelines. Vad put the former a mile over the reciever’s head, and the latter 10 yards out of bounds. Paul Johnson doesn’t lie. I’d bet he wanted to throw it around more, but couldn’t call the pass plays because his QB couldn’t throw.
College football is all about second chances, though. Hopefully Lee will pull it together and have a great couple of years for us.
Per his Twitter account… ishmael hyman is a duke.
Sorry Michael but could you link his account, I can’t seem to find him
No worries – here you go: https://twitter.com/HollyWood_Ish13
i’m hopeful it’s correct!
I’m with M@ in hoping that they start power football back at JMU. However didn’t we just get rid of a guy that only wanted to run the ball and everyone was complaining that we weren’t throwing enough? Here’s hoping that running the ball means straight ahead from now on and not side to side.
Michael, I hope so too! That would be a big get!
O K I am going to break the silence on the biggest non-story of the year, the move to D-1. From a source that I have that should be very credible the reason there was no move was the following. “current focus is to get in a position so athletically it makes sense to go when we get an offer. ” This source cited the “recent performance on the football field.”
I guess Georgia State, Charlotte, and App State ( last year’s record.) didn’t get that memo.
I really think we could be competitive in the MAC within a year or two, but what do I know, I’m just a fan with an opinion,
If my research is correct, the lowest ranking bowl game on TV last year drew more viewers than the FCS championship game, and got more money. FCS is becoming an afterthought.
Also, now a lot more people know who ODU is so their applications are going up and they will soon be, if not already, more than a commuter school.Since I live in Tidewater, I am sick of hearing about their record. Of course it was built on playing cup cakes, and I try to remind them that their new slogan should be ” if you can’t beat them, shorten the quarter.”
I can’t recall who said it, ( I am old ) but the saying was “if you are not moving forward you are losing ground.
Here’s hoping for next year. Can’t wait for the St Francis game.
@Cory. The problem with the “ran all the time” guy is that he ran *all* the time; even when the situation required a pass. I am hoping for balance in all things (trying to be zen, but it doesn’t seem to be working).
AJ Bolden guard 6’4 302 all state VA 2012 (millbrook hs) has transferred from playing at Toledo