![\"Screen](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jmusportsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Screen-Shot-2016-02-03-at-5.47.56-PM.png?resize=591%2C305\")
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We have yet to find a guy who knows more about JMU recruiting than our buddy Michael. Thankfully, he once again agreed to handle the recruiting wrap for us on signing day. We’re pretty confident you won’t find a more thorough or accurate analysis of JMU’s recruiting class anywhere. Follow him @Michael2Clutch<\/a>\u00a0and enjoy the post.<\/em><\/p>\n In the words of new head football coach, Mike Houston: \u201cWhat a day to be a Duke!\u201d Today, JMU signed 24 high school student athletes (walk-ons included) to the football program to begin another new era. When Withers bolted for Texas State to play the likes of Idaho and New Mexico State, Jeff Bourne pulled a power move to resign previously fired coach, John Bowers, to keep an impressive incoming class together. Along with current offensive line coach, Jamal Powell, Bowers did a phenomenal job during the 12 days of limbo and only \u201clost\u201d 1 recruit during that span.<\/span><\/p>\n This class marks a special time in JMU football history. When Withers was hired, I thought it would take at least 3 years to bring our program back to the level of recruiting we are capable of and this class surely does not disappoint. Many of the 24 signees have a slew of offers from both FBS and FCS schools and were highly coveted among their peers. Interesting enough, 10 of the 24 recruits were signed to solidify the offensive and defensive lines while 5 players were signed to the defensive backfield, 4 of which are incoming safeties. That is quite a telling sign of which areas the current\/previous staffs feel that our team needs the most improvement. From what I saw in 2015, I do not disagree. Impressive enough, this class came from all over the eastern seaboard: from Georgia to New Jersey to Ohio to Illinois while still taking care of our backyard; signing 12 from Virginia. <\/span><\/p>\n As Mickey Matthews used to say (and for every class\u2026), I believe this is the best recruiting class that JMU has signed. But don\u2019t take my word for it, let\u2019s take a look at your 2016 JMU Football recruiting class and you can judge for yourself: <\/span><\/p>\n Quarterback (3): <\/b><\/p>\n DJ Daniels<\/b> \u2013 6\u20192\u201d 193lbs <\/span><\/p>\n State: North Carolina <\/span><\/p>\n High School: Fike <\/span><\/p>\n HUDL<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Analysis: <\/b>DJ Daniels is a highly touted quarterback from the state of North Carolina. He committed to JMU for both football and baseball in July after an unofficial visit; he\u2019s held firm ever since. DJ has a very strong arm that will remind JMU nation of Vad Lee because of his overall athleticism. His high school offense mirrored JMU\u2019s 2015 attack (shotgun, read option, downfield throws), which should only help his development. He\u2019ll need a year or 2 to physically develop and work on his mechanics before contributing but he has the tools to run our spread. DJ is more of \u201cthrower than passer\u201d at this point \u2013 he has a delay on the top of his release, which can allow a defensive back to jump his throws \u2013 and will only get better under the wings of new QB coach\/OC, Donnie Kirkpatrick. Don\u2019t expect him to push Bryan Schor just yet but we should be excited to have him in the program. <\/span><\/p>\n Additional Offers: <\/b><\/p>\n Boston College, Gardner-Webb, Florida A&M <\/span><\/p>\n Cole Johnson<\/b> \u2013 6\u20195\u201d 190lbs<\/span><\/p>\n State: Virginia <\/span><\/p>\n High School: Cox <\/span><\/p>\n HUDL<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Analysis: <\/b>Cole Johnson is a 757 recruit hailing from Cox High School. He set school records in passing yards, passing touchdowns and total touchdowns during his time as a starter. He drew plenty of attention as a prospect reeling offers from CAA rival, Towson, and Temple from the AAC. He was a key part of Cox\u2019s transition from the triple option to the spread to utilize his passing skills (feel free to pull him up on YouTube). While he has a very slight build, his quick release resembles that of Philip Rivers\/Vince Young and he has a gunslinger mentality. He displays good touch and anticipation on his throws and is a really elusive athlete. While he won\u2019t run over any tacklers any time soon, he runs with a long stride and has proven to be difficult to take down. 2 to 3 years of JMU\u2019s dining services (RIP D-Hall) and we should see an epic battle between Cole and DJ for the starting quarterback position. <\/span><\/p>\n Additional Offers:<\/b><\/p>\n Davidson, Monmouth, Towson, Temple, Norfolk State, Temple, Texas State <\/span><\/p>\n Mack Waldman<\/b> \u2013 6\u20193\u201d 205lbs <\/span><\/p>\n State: Illinois<\/span><\/p>\n Previous School: Highland High School, Northern Illinois University, NE Oklahoma A&M College<\/span><\/p>\n HUDL<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Analysis: <\/b>Mack was a former preferred walk-on at Northern Illinois University in 2014 and played at NE Oklahoma A&M College (JUCO) during the 2015 season. Mack is an experienced QB that almost replicated Bryan Schor\u2019s road to JMU, albeit much smoother. He\u2019s more of a traditional pocket passer with a smooth over-the-top delivery and he\u2019s shown that he has good elusiveness on tape. He did not run a lot of read option at the JUCO level but he displayed impressive anticipation on throws, often throwing to the open field where a receiver is going rather than right at them, a skill lacking at JMU before Vad Lee stepped on campus. He is coming to JMU as a redshirt sophomore and an early enrollee so I predict that it will be a Waldman vs. Schor battle for the starting quarterback position during spring ball. I\u2019m not a 100% sure if Houston and co. are targeting any other \u201cveteran\u201d quarterback transfers but keep a close eye on how the competition plays out in the offseason. <\/span><\/p>\n Additional Offers: N\/A<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Running Back (1): <\/b><\/p>\n Pat Hines<\/b> \u2013 5\u201910\u201d 175lbs<\/span><\/p>\n State: MD<\/span><\/p>\n High School: St. Mary\u2019s <\/span><\/p>\n HUDL<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Analysis: <\/b>Highly productive running back from St. Mary\u2019s high school in Maryland; Pat will be joining the Dukes as a recruited walk-on. He will need to gain weight and improve his speed but is a tough runner that impressed coaches during camp season. Lacks bulk to withstand the physicality of the college run game but does display good quickness and burst in close quarters. Projects as a running back but don\u2019t be surprised to see him on the defensive side of the ball as an in-the-box safety or linebacker and on special teams. <\/span><\/p>\n Additional Offers: N\/A<\/b><\/p>\n Wide Receiver (1):<\/b><\/p>\n Braxton Westfield<\/b> \u2013 6\u20193\u201d 205lbs<\/span><\/p>\n State: South Carolina <\/span><\/p>\n High School: Christ Church <\/span><\/p>\n HUDL<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Analysis: <\/b>Big target that resembles current JMU wide receivers, Domo Taylor and Riley Stapleton. \u00a0Braxton is a highly coveted, dynamic player that garnered plenty of attention from southern schools like Georgia State, Elon, Wofford, and Charleston Southern as well as from Liberty. He\u2019s a big downfield threat that will provide our quarterback a huge target on the outside and in jump ball situations. In our current scheme, he\u2019ll likely play the X and Z receiver positions and will be an asset in the bubble game utilizing his size to block against smaller cornerbacks in our league. Has decent speed and will need to polish his route running to be effective against tougher competition. With the depth we currently have at wide receiver, don\u2019t be surprised if he redshirts his first year and moves into the rotation after Domo Taylor, Rashard Davis and Brandon Ravenel move on through graduation. <\/span><\/p>\n Additional Offers:<\/b><\/p>\n Liberty, Mercer, Elon. Georgia State, Tennessee State, Charleston Southern, Benedict College, East Tennessee State, Wofford, North Carolina Central, Campbell, Presbyterian College<\/span><\/p>\n Tight End (1): <\/b><\/p>\n Lawton Riggs<\/b> \u2013 6\u20193\u201d 230lbs<\/span><\/p>\n State: Virginia<\/span><\/p>\n High School: Stone Bridge <\/span><\/p>\n HUDL<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Analysis: <\/b>Big tight end prospect from the northern Virginia area. Shout out to John Bowers who stayed in touch with Lawton and successfully convinced Coach Houston to extend an offer. An accomplished run blocker, he faced top competition at Stone Bridge, a 5A school that faces teams like Tuscarora, Broad Run, Briar Woods and Brooke Point. He was heavily involved in a run-oriented offense and lined up at tight end, H-back, fullback and even, split wide as a receiver. He reminds me of former Duke, Brian Barlow, because of his physicality after the catch and his ability to get open in the middle. He will need to get stronger to battle college defensive ends but has the ability to be a big possession target. With the graduation of Deane Cheatham, Riggs should have every opportunity to contribute his true freshman year. <\/span><\/p>\n Additional Offers:<\/b><\/p>\n Liberty, Maine, Rhode Island, Bucknell <\/span><\/p>\n Offensive Line (6): <\/b><\/p>\n Mac Patrick<\/b> \u2013 6\u20192\u201d 290lbs<\/span><\/p>\n State: Virginia<\/span><\/p>\n Projection: Guard<\/span><\/p>\n High School: Hanover <\/span><\/p>\n HUDL<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Analysis: <\/b>Mac Patrick is a fantastic addition to JMU\u2019s offensive front. Mac brings a nasty attitude to the line of scrimmage and is no stranger to pancake blocks and blowing defenders off the ball. A wide-bodied, explosive enforcer, he is highly regarded in the 804 (First team 4A All state team) and was recently highlighted in the RTD\u2019s A-List as a top prospect. Patrick drew a bevy of offers from a number of CAA rivals and FBS schools. He would fit in nicely inside as a guard and will add size to the depth we have today. More importantly, he has the ability to set the physical tone up front as JMU continues to bring in road graders, a strong contrast to the zone blockers of the old regime. He reminds me a bit of former Duke, Dorian Brooks, since he has a stocky build but has solid mobility and will move the pile at the next level. JMU has great depth up front so don\u2019t be surprised if he redshirts and adds to his physical talents during his first year. <\/span><\/p>\n Additional Offers:<\/b><\/p>\n William and Mary, Richmond, Coastal Carolina, Army, Towson, Air Force, Navy<\/span><\/p>\n Zaire Bethea<\/b> \u2013 6\u20193\u201d 285lbs<\/span><\/p>\n State: New Jersey<\/span><\/p>\n Projection: Guard<\/span><\/p>\n High School: DePaul<\/span><\/p>\n HUDL<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Analysis: <\/b>Zaire Bethea is a lineman that has a ton of potential and has experience playing top competition in the New Jersey private school league. Zaire Bethea comes to JMU by way of DePaul Catholic whose schedule includes teams like Paramus Catholic, Don Bosco and Bergen Catholic \u2013 all recruiting hot beds. He played tackle in high school but projects more of an interior guard prospect. He displays a mean streak on run blocks and quick feet in pass protection, a must-have if you are tasked with guarding a quarterback\u2019s blindside. One scout mentioned how well he played against the top rated DL prospect in the country, Rashan Gary (Paramus HS), which is exciting news for the JMU faithful. One thing to note, Bethea is younger (a year younger I believe) than others in his class so from a physical development standpoint, he has a very high ceiling and will be coming to campus at 280+. Barring injury, I expect him to redshirt his first year and continue to physically mature. <\/span><\/p>\n Additional Offers:<\/b><\/p>\n Rhode Island, Robert Morris, Norfolk State, Monmouth<\/span><\/p>\n Michael Faulkner<\/b> \u2013 6\u20194\u201d 255lbs<\/span><\/p>\n State: Georgia<\/span><\/p>\n Projection Center\/Guard <\/span><\/p>\n High School: Collins Hill<\/span><\/p>\n HUDL<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Analysis: <\/b>JMU went down south to Suwanee, Georgia to pick up another offensive lineman in Michael Faulkner. Fending off the likes of Georgia State for his services, Faulkner played right tackle for the Collins Hill Eagles but will likely project as either a guard or center at JMU. He displays good mobility on the line of scrimmage (a trait of most linemen that Army offers), long arms and the ability to get to the next level. Faulkner will need time in the weight room to transition successfully to the college game. He lacks the upper body strength but has a massive lower body. After few years of development including a redshirt year, he should fill out to an athletic 290 pounds and contribute in the interior. <\/span><\/p>\n Additional Offers:<\/b><\/p>\n Navy, Georgia State, Samford<\/span><\/p>\n Robert Snead<\/b> \u2013 6\u20196\u201d 330lbs<\/span><\/p>\n State: Virginia <\/span><\/p>\n Projection: Offensive Tackle <\/span><\/p>\n High School: Thomas Dale<\/span><\/p>\n HUDL<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Analysis: <\/b>JMU lands another 804 commit with a behemoth offensive tackle in Thomas Dale\u2019s Robert Snead. A 1<\/span>st<\/span> team All State and 1<\/span>st<\/span> team All DMV player, Snead committed to the Dukes in July. A road grader in every since of the word, he played both tackle and center at Thomas Dale and his coaches applauded his unique mix of size and intelligence. I\u2019d like to see him improve his technique and play with better pad level especially as he faces defensive linemen that share his size but these are areas that Coach Powell can help improve. Don\u2019t let his lone Campbell offer fool you, Snead suffered an ACL injury his junior year which made other universities hesitate on offering but he\u2019ll be the first one to tell you that JMU is \u201cthe type of school he\u2019d want to go to even if he didn\u2019t play football\u201d. He\u2019s a true Duke at heart and will find a place on the starting offensive line as he continues to develop. <\/span><\/p>\n Additional Offers:<\/b><\/p>\n Campbell<\/span><\/p>\n J.T. Timming<\/b> \u2013 6\u20193\u201d 295lbs<\/span><\/p>\n State: Ohio<\/span><\/p>\n Projection: Center<\/span><\/p>\n High School: Lakota East<\/span><\/p>\n HUDL<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Analysis: <\/b>I don\u2019t recall the last time JMU had a high school recruit from the state of Ohio but the doors have opened to the Buckeye state with the addition of center, J.T. Timming. A lunch-pale, no-nonsense type of athlete, Timming will bring physical demeanor to the interior. Timming is no stranger to a challenge after transferring from Division 4 Monroe to Division 1 Lakota East (highest level of competition) during his junior season for an opportunity to play against some of the best football players in the state. Infamous for running the triple-option, Ohio coaches believe Timming \u201cembodies the smash-mouth identity\u201d of the school, which should get JMU fans\u2019 attention. Known very much for his off the field (and on the field) aggressiveness and passion, his statement sums up the type of player JMU will be seeing very soon in the purple and gold: <\/span>\u201cI love how hard we work! When we are in the weight room the team pushes others and we compete to get better day by day! The bar get raised each day, and if we have a step backwards we always fix that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Additional Offers:<\/b><\/p>\n Georgia State <\/span><\/p>\n Raymond Gillespie<\/b> \u2013 6\u20196\u201d 260lbs<\/span><\/p>\n State: Virginia <\/span><\/p>\n Projection: Offensive Tackle <\/span><\/p>\n High School: Atlee<\/span><\/p>\n HUDL<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Analysis: <\/b>Raymond Gillespie is coming in as a recruited walk-on. JMU should remember former offensive tackle\/now Jacksonville Jaguar, Josh Wells, and his transition from HS quarterback to stud offensive tackle. He is looking to follow his 804 counterpart\u2019s footsteps but his journey started much sooner. He started as a quarterback his freshman year, moved to tight end, then to inside receiver before settling in at the offensive line his junior year. While certainly a project as he learns the ropes of the position, Gillespie has the athleticism to protect the blind side and has the build to get bigger and stronger under the right tutelage. Just like Josh Wells, he will need time but will have every opportunity to be that \u201cdiamond in the rough\u201d JMU is looking for. <\/span><\/p>\n Additional Offers: <\/b>N\/A<\/p>\n Defensive Line (4):<\/b><\/p>\n Adeeb Atariwa<\/b> \u2013 6\u20192\u201d 280lbs<\/span><\/p>\n State: Virginia<\/span><\/p>\n Projection: Defensive Tackle<\/span><\/p>\n High School: Dominion \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n HUDL<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Analysis: <\/b>JMU snagged a good one from the northern Virginia area with the addition of Adeeb Atariwa. Originally recruited by Everett Withers, Atariwa was a 4A State champion in wrestling to go along with his domination on the gridiron. Withers coveted 2-sport athletes and specifically, wrestlers, to handle the line of scrimmage and Atariwa fits the bill. He has been committed to the Dukes for quite a while before decommitting to Marshall due to Withers\u2019 Irish exit but eventually recommitted to JMU after the hiring of Mike Houston. Depending on the scheme Houston implements, Adeeb would fit in perfectly as a defensive end in a 3-4 or inside at defensive tackle in a 4-2-5 look. He displays great balance and strength at the point of attack and also has the potential to be an immovable anchor in the middle. He\u2019ll need time to fill out his frame but that will come in time. He reminds me of Alex Mosley when he initially came out of Highland Springs high school. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Additional Offers:<\/b><\/p>\n Nevada, Costal Carolina, Fordham, Appalachian State, ODU, Marshall, Ohio University<\/span><\/p>\n Rondre Knowles-Tener<\/b> \u2013 6\u20191\u201d 285lbs<\/span><\/p>\n