Scott Hummel also in the portal.

(04-25-2023 01:27 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  This sucks. As long as Ukwu doesn’t transfer to UVA then I will still root for him to succeed.
But he should have done this in the first transfer window 4 or 5 months ago.

On the field, it hurts JMU tremendously. As exciting as it was to hear him returning for a 6th year, it is equally deflating to see him leave so late in the offseason.
He is a better player than DTD, not as good as Wells when comparing to the unexpected departures last year.
However, he was a team captain and locker room leader and super easy to root for after clawing back from 2 separate season ending knee injuries.
It will be hard, if not impossible, to replace him on and off the field in 2023. Primo DE’s with great character are in short supply.

It is a Huge blow to the defense and to the upcoming JMU football season

He was returning for a 7th.
2017: redshirt
2018: played (1)
2019: med redshirt (missed entire season due to injury)
2020/21: extra covid (missed entire season due to injury)
2021 played (2) (2nd team All CAA)
2022 played (3) (CFN Honorable Mention AA & 1st team All SBC)
2023 4th year of eligibility in 7th season.

(04-25-2023 01:27 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  This sucks. As long as Ukwu doesn’t transfer to UVA then I will still root for him to succeed.
But he should have done this in the first transfer window 4 or 5 months ago.

On the field, it hurts JMU tremendously. As exciting as it was to hear him returning for a 6th year, it is equally deflating to see him leave so late in the offseason.
He is a better player than DTD, not as good as Wells when comparing to the unexpected departures last year.
However, he was a team captain and locker room leader and super easy to root for after clawing back from 2 separate season ending knee injuries.
It will be hard, if not impossible, to replace him on and off the field in 2023. Primo DE’s with great character are in short supply.

It is a Huge blow to the defense and to the upcoming JMU football season

Yes, it sucks. But no, it’s not a “Huge blow to the defense” and next season’s prospects for success.

I wish the young man future success. He’s paid his dues, and he’s a Duke.

If he signs with Auburn this does have their nasty-ass HC fingerprints all over it.

(04-25-2023 04:47 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  If he signs with Auburn this does have their nasty-ass HC fingerprints all over it.

I love this post very much.

I don't think he's been participating in spring ball so I don't think the timing matters at all. Others have already been practicing with the first team.

(04-25-2023 04:32 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(04-25-2023 01:27 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  This sucks. As long as Ukwu doesn’t transfer to UVA then I will still root for him to succeed.
But he should have done this in the first transfer window 4 or 5 months ago.

On the field, it hurts JMU tremendously. As exciting as it was to hear him returning for a 6th year, it is equally deflating to see him leave so late in the offseason.
He is a better player than DTD, not as good as Wells when comparing to the unexpected departures last year.
However, he was a team captain and locker room leader and super easy to root for after clawing back from 2 separate season ending knee injuries.
It will be hard, if not impossible, to replace him on and off the field in 2023. Primo DE’s with great character are in short supply.

It is a Huge blow to the defense and to the upcoming JMU football season

He was returning for a 7th.
2017: redshirt
2018: played (1)
2019: med redshirt (missed entire season due to injury)
2020/21: extra covid (missed entire season due to injury)
2021 played (2) (2nd team All CAA)
2022 played (3) (CFN Honorable Mention AA & 1st team All SBC)
2023 4th year of eligibility in 7th season.

Hopefully all that time in school has brought him a degree of substance.

(04-25-2023 05:57 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(04-25-2023 04:32 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(04-25-2023 01:27 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  This sucks. As long as Ukwu doesn’t transfer to UVA then I will still root for him to succeed.
But he should have done this in the first transfer window 4 or 5 months ago.

On the field, it hurts JMU tremendously. As exciting as it was to hear him returning for a 6th year, it is equally deflating to see him leave so late in the offseason.
He is a better player than DTD, not as good as Wells when comparing to the unexpected departures last year.
However, he was a team captain and locker room leader and super easy to root for after clawing back from 2 separate season ending knee injuries.
It will be hard, if not impossible, to replace him on and off the field in 2023. Primo DE’s with great character are in short supply.

It is a Huge blow to the defense and to the upcoming JMU football season

He was returning for a 7th.
2017: redshirt
2018: played (1)
2019: med redshirt (missed entire season due to injury)
2020/21: extra covid (missed entire season due to injury)
2021 played (2) (2nd team All CAA)
2022 played (3) (CFN Honorable Mention AA & 1st team All SBC)
2023 4th year of eligibility in 7th season.

Hopefully all that time in school has brought him a degree of substance.

Degree in computer science with a graduate certificate in cyber intelligence. Was on the academic honor roll every year.

Ikwu transferring leaves us with Green, Okonji and Kamara as returning DEs with meaningful game experience.
Kromah swung between DE and DT last year, but was slated to start at DT this season along with Carpenter.

Not sure where the 4th DE will come from. As far as I can tell, we only brought in one DE in this class (a high schooler). None of the transfers were edge guys.

Who's going to emerge to get in the rotation? Anyone have any intel on who played and looked decent on the Spring game? Maybe Zai Roberts? It would suck to have to go with only a 3 man rotation of effective guys. Would leave a slim margin for injury and doesn't keep us as fresh as we like.

(04-25-2023 06:40 PM)olddawg Wrote:  Ikwu transferring leaves us with Green, Okonji and Kamara as returning DEs with meaningful game experience.
Kromah swung between DE and DT last year, but was slated to start at DT this season along with Carpenter.

Not sure where the 4th DE will come from. As far as I can tell, we only brought in one DE in this class (a high schooler). None of the transfers were edge guys.

Who's going to emerge to get in the rotation? Anyone have any intel on who played and looked decent on the Spring game? Maybe Zai Roberts? It would suck to have to go with only a 3 man rotation of effective guys. Would leave a slim margin for injury and doesn't keep us as fresh as we like.

They moved Jordan Funk over to TE, perhaps they move him back. They’ve also offered a DE in the portal from NDSU.

https://www.inforum.com/sports/bison-med...0recovery.

(04-25-2023 06:11 PM)#YEEHAWDUKES Wrote:  

(04-25-2023 05:57 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  Hopefully all that time in school has brought him a degree of substance.

Degree in computer science with a graduate certificate in cyber intelligence. Was on the academic honor roll every year.

That’s great, congrats and good luck to him and thanks for posting.

(04-25-2023 07:13 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(04-25-2023 06:40 PM)olddawg Wrote:  Ikwu transferring leaves us with Green, Okonji and Kamara as returning DEs with meaningful game experience.
Kromah swung between DE and DT last year, but was slated to start at DT this season along with Carpenter.

Not sure where the 4th DE will come from. As far as I can tell, we only brought in one DE in this class (a high schooler). None of the transfers were edge guys.

Who's going to emerge to get in the rotation? Anyone have any intel on who played and looked decent on the Spring game? Maybe Zai Roberts? It would suck to have to go with only a 3 man rotation of effective guys. Would leave a slim margin for injury and doesn't keep us as fresh as we like.

They moved Jordan Funk over to TE, perhaps they move him back. They’ve also offered a DE in the portal from NDSU.

https://www.inforum.com/sports/bison-med...0recovery.

Funk and the NDSU transfer are both options, as well as a freshman transfer from LSU who some of our peer schools have been looking at. Sproles may be able to get the NDSU guy and be a good voice in his ear. Personally, I hope we bring in both especially if the LSU guy is only going into his second year of eligibility. I'm sure coach may move Funk back since it looks like we have such a deep TE room as it is already. Because heaven forbid the worst happen and we lose a guy (which is inevitable and par for the course each year even though you don't want to see it), it would still limit the rotation while playing a tougher schedule with one less bye week. We won't be able to rest our starters in the 4th any more each game.

(04-25-2023 04:50 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  

(04-25-2023 04:47 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  If he signs with Auburn this does have their nasty-ass HC fingerprints all over it.

I love this post very much.

Definitely a hit from The Blind Side..

(04-25-2023 06:40 PM)olddawg Wrote:  Ikwu transferring leaves us with Green, Okonji and Kamara as returning DEs with meaningful game experience.
Kromah swung between DE and DT last year, but was slated to start at DT this season along with Carpenter.

Not sure where the 4th DE will come from. As far as I can tell, we only brought in one DE in this class (a high schooler). None of the transfers were edge guys.

Who's going to emerge to get in the rotation? Anyone have any intel on who played and looked decent on the Spring game? Maybe Zai Roberts? It would suck to have to go with only a 3 man rotation of effective guys. Would leave a slim margin for injury and doesn't keep us as fresh as we like.

I think Kromah is playing DE and the Marshall transfer Bush will be inside with Carpenter

Nothing but love for Ukwu, he seems like an incredible guy, I loved listening to him on his podcast. One of those student-athletes you loved being on camera and in the press as he was a great representative of our university. I hope he finds a landing spot at a rebuilding P5 where he can start. VT would be insane not to give him a long look, they are pretty thin at the position and he would definitely get playing time.

I would hate to see him at VT for obvious reasons. I am not sure where he ends up, but best of luck to him in football and beyond.

(04-26-2023 05:41 AM)#YEEHAWDUKES Wrote:  

(04-25-2023 06:40 PM)olddawg Wrote:  Ikwu transferring leaves us with Green, Okonji and Kamara as returning DEs with meaningful game experience.
Kromah swung between DE and DT last year, but was slated to start at DT this season along with Carpenter.

Not sure where the 4th DE will come from. As far as I can tell, we only brought in one DE in this class (a high schooler). None of the transfers were edge guys.

Who's going to emerge to get in the rotation? Anyone have any intel on who played and looked decent on the Spring game? Maybe Zai Roberts? It would suck to have to go with only a 3 man rotation of effective guys. Would leave a slim margin for injury and doesn't keep us as fresh as we like.

I think Kromah is playing DE and the Marshall transfer Bush will be inside with Carpenter

I think what I was remembering was Ukwu's interview w/ Mettlen back on April 10.
This was his take on the D-line, so it's not an affirmation from Cignetti on his plans for the line at the time:

“The defensive line should be really similar in our composition,” Ukwu said. “We only really lost Jamare. In terms of our ability to produce, I think that will go up with another year of experience and another year of seeing the type of offense we are going to see in the Sun Belt.”

The Dukes are also looking for a couple of players to step up. Redshirt sophomore Mikail Kamara played in just five games last year with recurring injuries and missed all of 2021. But he had three sacks as a true freshman and should be a major contributor if healthy.

Jamree Kromah played in 10 games last season for JMU after transferring from Rutgers and was something of a utility defensive lineman. Ukwu thinks if he and Kamara are both healthy, they will both play on the edge while Kromah joins Carpenter in playing inside.

“Jamree is going to be in a bigger role for us this year, probably starting for us,” Ukwu said. “He was moving around, all around the line. This year he’s going to have a more solidified role. I think he’s going to have a really big year.”

Well now that's been thrown out the window. Kromah played on the interior at Rutgers even though Cignetti recruited him as a DE for JMU. So the versatility is nice to have. But last year, when we lost DTs Tony Thurston and Tyler Negron within a week of each other in August, Coach had to move Kromah to the interior. This was especially needed early on when Edwards was still getting his wind back from missing so much of camp.

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out and wouldn't be surprised if we went shopping hard for both positions in the portal.

Redshirted 1st year, DNP 2nd.

(04-26-2023 10:50 AM)JMU08 Wrote:  

Redshirted 1st year, DNP 2nd.

sounds like a scholarship Cig will be happy to re-allocate elsewhere. really all of them with the exception of Ukwu are nice to be able to re-allocate.

(04-26-2023 09:12 AM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  I would hate to see him at VT for obvious reasons. I am not sure where he ends up, but best of luck to him in football and beyond.

Hope he ends up with much better options than that. VT will not do much for his career with how bad they've been. It's hard to showcase your talent playing on an awful team. He would get more pro looks staying at JMU, especially if we win the SBC.

(04-26-2023 12:07 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(04-26-2023 09:12 AM)AssyrianDuke Wrote:  I would hate to see him at VT for obvious reasons. I am not sure where he ends up, but best of luck to him in football and beyond.

Hope he ends up with much better options than that. VT will not do much for his career with how bad they've been. It's hard to showcase your talent playing on an awful team. He would get more pro looks staying at JMU, especially if we win the SBC.

If they offered, a nice landing spot for Ukwu would be FSU. I don’t know what their DL is looking like outside of Jared Verse but Verse is an example of an FCS who shined in that system.

Verse was a standout at Albany. Last year he had 17 TFLs and 9.0 Sacks. He’s a potential first rounder.

Ukwu and Verse would be dangerous as a combo for a team that Mike Norvell is finally revamping. But case-in-point, Ukwu has a lot of upside going to a P5 like Verse, both just great athletes at DE, and the exposure really ups their stock. I think Ukwu would put up similar numbers as Verse in the ACC. I agree that I don’t think Tech could showcase Ukwu, places like FSU could.