John Kinney hails from Richmond via Hermitage HS. He was VHSL All-State at the 5A level both his Jr. and Sr. seasons. He comes from a very athletic family background (check out his bio...impressive). The Dukes are loaded at the LB position and John just adds to more depth there as well as the flexibility to hopefully help us in special teams. Good luck to John in his first season of game time in purple & gold.

Meet John Kinney: http://www.jmusports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=13402

and...



Jesse Layne is a walk-on QB from nearby Broadway HS. He has good size at listed 6'3" 210#. If QB doesn't work out, perhaps he may be able to help the Dukes elsewhere. Interesting to note in his bio that former (and very popular) video coordinator for the Dukes FB program, Zach Lantz, is his brother. Good luck to Jesse in his first year wearing purple.

Jesse Layne bio: http://www.jmusports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=13593

John Kinney was a great recruit. I expect we will be noticing his play this season, on special teams if he doesn't get on the field at LB.

His mom ran track at UVA, and John played basketball too, so I'm curious if he has the foot speed and instincts to play SS. He's a bit light to play LB, but he has the size to play SS at the next level.

2016

James Madison University...National Football Champions!

(and coming to you soon...2017 National Football Champions)

Rock on, Dukes!

My wife grew up right behind the Kinney's family in Ashland. Erron Kinney, John's uncle I believe, was a TE with the Titans in the Superbowl vs. the Rams when they came up just short on that iconic stretch of the football short of the goal line. He went to Florida for his college football career. Anyway, since my mother-in-law was working when my wife was growing up, she often went over to the Kinney's house after school. We were super excited to see John choose JMU and will have a special rooting interest in his football career.