JMU signs 18 for 2009 class

[JMU Newbill]

Its early in the morning, I don't want to be at work... if someone already posted this, sorry... I didn't see it after my 5 second, first cup of coffee, glancing of the board.


HARRISONBURG, Va., Feb. 4, 2009 – James Madison football coach Mickey Matthews has announced that 18 players have signed JMU football scholarship offers as part of the program’s 2009 recruiting class as the NCAA’s football signing period began on Wednesday.



The list of newcomers includes 10 players from Virginia, two apiece from Maryland, New Jersey and California, and one each from North Carolina and Pennsylvania.



“We had a great year recruiting,” said Matthews of his 2009 group. “We battled a lot of really good football programs for these guys. We’re recruiting the best we’ve ever recruited because I have the best group of recruiters that I’ve ever had.”



“We wanted to work on our secondary and get a lot of secondary guys. We run a 4-2-5 alignment with five defensive backs, so we’re going to play a lot of defensive backs over the course of the game. So we really felt that after losing Marcus Haywood, Evan McCollough, and Darrieus Ramsey, that we really needed to make a move in our defensive backfield. I thought we accomplished that. We like to sign a quarterback every year and we did that. We signed two running backs that we like.”



JMU is coming off of a 12-2 season during which the Dukes competed in the NCAA playoffs for the fourth time in the last five seasons, advancing to the national semifinals with all three postseason contests played on their home field. JMU was ranked first nationally in the Sports Network and FCS Coaches polls for much of the 2008 season.







2009 JAMES MADISON FOOTBALL RECRUITING CLASS



Name — El. — Pos. — Ht. — Wt. — Hometown — High School/College

Allen, Daniel — Fr. — RB — 5-10 — 170 — Ashburn, Va. — Stone Bridge

Anderson, Jordan — Fr. — RB — 5-11 — 200 — Chantilly, Va. — Westfield

Cavanaugh, Adrian — Fr. — LB — 6-0 — 215 — Ashland, Va. — Patrick Henry

Gann, Will — Fr. — P/PK — 5-10 — 160 — Greensboro, N.C. — Eastern Guilford

Harvey, Arlandis — Fr. — WR — 6-0 — 180 — Oakton, Va. — Flint Hill

Jackson, Jakarie — Fr. — WR/DB — 5-11 — 175 — Frederick, Md. — Tuscarora

Jones, Leavander — Fr. — WR/DB — 5-10 — 165 — Atlantic City, N.J. — Atlantic City

Jones, Scott — Fr. — OL — 6-4 — 260 — McLean, Va. — Langley

Krout, Matt — Fr. — OL — 6-5 — 265 — Fredericksburg, Va. — Riverbend

O’Neil, Sean — Fr. — DE — 6-4 — 230 — River Edge, N.J. — River Dell

Robertson, Stephon — Fr. — LB — 5-11 — 200 — Alexandria, Va. — Edison

Robinson, Renard — Fr. — WR — 6-0 — 185 — Baltimore, Md. — Mt. St. Joseph’s

Scott, Dae’Quan — Fr. — WR — 5-9 — 170 — Staunton, Va. — Robert E. Lee

Seaton, Kavon — Fr. — QB — 5-11 — 190 — Murrieta, Calif. — Vista Murrieta/Navy Prep

Sharp, Jonathan — Fr. — TE — 6-3 — 225 — Pittsburgh, Pa. — Plum Senior/Fork Union

Snow, Tyler — Fr. — LB — 6-3 — 225 — Vinton, Va. — William Byrd

Stanton, Jordan — Fr. — DE — 6-4 — 260 — Fairfax, Va. — Robinson

Wilson, Richard — Jr. — DB — 6-2 — 195 — Santa Rosa, Calif.. — Dunbar (Md.)/San Mateo







Daniel Allen, RB, 5-10, 170, Ashburn, Va., Stone Bridge

Finished his career at Stonebridge High School, rushing for 1,349 yards and scoring 24 touchdowns. First-team All-Liberty District running back and received recognition as an all-region and all-state running back. Named to the Washington Post All-Loudon County Extra Team and also was a first-team selection at running back by Virginia Preps.





Jordan Anderson, RB, 5-11, 200, Chantilly, Va., Westfield

Gained more than 2,000 yards rushing and scored 31 touchdowns as a senior. First-team selection at the district and regional levels and garnered all-state and all-metro recognition. Recognized by Gameday magazine as a first-team selection and selected to the Washington Post Fairfax All-Extra Team.



Adrian Cavanaugh, LB, 6-0, 215, Ashland, Va., Patrick Henry

Rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com as a linebacker. Was the 2008 defensive player of the year in the Colonial District and the Central Region co-defensive player of the year and all-state at linebacker. An all-academic selection in the district, region and state.



Will Gann, P/Pk, 5-10, 160, Greensboro, N.C., Eastern Guilford

Finished his football career as one of the top scholastic specialists in North Carolina. Two-time all-district, all-conference and Burlington Times all-area selection.



Arlandis Harvey, WR, 6-0, 180, Oakton, Va., Flint Hill

First-team all-conference for four consecutive years. All-state three consecutive years and an all-state punt returner once. As a senior was named captain by the coaches and players, and he rushed for 1,350 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.



Jakarie Jackson, WR/DB, 5-11, 180, Frederick, Md., Tuscarora

Played quarterback, wide receiver, free safety and was the return specialist and led his team to the most-successful season in school history. Selected as the 2008 Baltimore Touchdown Club most valuable player and the 2008 Baltimore Touchdown Club offensive player of the year. First-team all-conference defensive back and wide receiver.



Leavander Jones, WR/DB, 5-10, 165, Atlantic City, N.J., Atlantic City

Finished his scholastic career as one of the top athletes in the program’s history. As a senior was an all-star at cornerback, wide receiver and return specialist. All-South Jersey, all-county, and all-conference as a senior.



Scott Jones, OL, 6-4, 260, McLean, Va., Langley

First-team center in the Liberty District, Northern Region, and all-state by the Associated Press. Ranked second in the state as a wrestler. As a junior won his district’s title as a heavyweight wrestler.



Matt Krout, OL, 6-5, 265, Fredericksburg, Va., Riverbend

First-team all-district tight end in 2007. Finished his scholastic career as a standout in football and basketball. As a senior was the Free Lance Star defensive player of the Year and was first-team all-district at tight end and defensive end.



Sean O’Neil, DE, 6-4, 230, River Edge, N.J., River Dell

Among the top defensive players in New Jersey. As a senior had 82 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, seven fumble recoveries, six forced fumbles, an interception and three blocked punts. All-state and first-team All-Bergen County and received All-America recognition. Standout in the shot put in track and field.



Stephon Robertson, LB, 5-11, 200, Alexandria, Va., Edison

Rated by ESPN.com as a top 150 prospect. In 2008 was district defensive player of the year, first-team all-district at running back and linebacker and first-team all- region at linebacker. Gameday magazine selection as first-team all-region at linebacker. Inducted into the Fairfax County Football Hall of Fame. As a senior he had more than 130 tackles and averaged 10.4 yards per carry and scored 24 touchdowns.



Renard Robinson, WR. 6-0, 185, Baltimore, Md., Mt. St. Joseph’s

Rated among the top wide receivers in Maryland. As a senior was first-team all-MIAA, first-team All-Baltimore City, first-team-team all-metro (Baltimore) and second-team all-state as a wide receiver. Rated a two-star athlete by Rivals.com.



Dae’Quan Scott, WR, 5-9, 170, Staunton, Va., Robert E. Lee

As senior accounted for 47 touchdowns, rushing for 35, throwing for eight, and returning three kickoffs and one punt for scores. Ran 176 times for 2,241 yards, an average of 12.7 per rush, and threw for 703 yards. Daily News-Record player of the year and district and regional player of the year. Selected by the Associated Press and Virginia Preps as a first-team all-state offensive all purpose back.



Kavon Seaton, QB, 5-11, 190, Murrieta, Calif., Vista Murrieta/Navy Prep

The 2008 Naval Academy Preparatory School most valuable player. Compiled a 32-5 record as a three-year starter at Vista Murieta High School. Was a three-time first-team All–Southwestern League quarterback. Two-time California all-state selection as an athlete while being named the Southwestern League most valuable player. As a senior passed for 2,600 yards and 20 touchdowns and rushed for 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns.



Jonathan Sharp, TE, 6-3, 225, Pittsburgh, Pa., Plum Senior/Fork Union

Attended Fork Union Military Academy and started at tight end in 2008. Previously was a standout linebacker and tight end at Plum Senior High School. First-team all-conference linebacker and tight end as a junior and senior. Played in the North/South All-Star Game. Scout.com rated him as the No. 65 outside linebacker in the nation his senior year, and Rivals.com rated him as a three-star prospect at tight end while he attended Fork Union.



Tyler Snow, LB, 6-3, 225, Vinton, Va., William Byrd

Named team captain three times. Two-time All-Blue Ridge District, two-time district most valuable player, two-time all-region, two-time region defensive player of the year and two-time all state. Finished his career as William Byrd’s all time leading tackler.



Jordan Stanton, DE, 6-4, 260, Fairfax, Va., Robinson

As a senior had 84 tackles, four quarterback sacks, two forced fumbles and one blocked punt. First-team all-district and all-region and second-team all-state honor by the Associated Press at defensive end.



Richard Wilson, CB, 6-2, 195, Baltimore, Md., Dunbar/San Mateo

Played the last two seasons at the College of San Mateo in San Mateo, Calif. Previously was a first-team All-Baltimore City selection at defensive back and a second-team all-metro and all-state defensive back at Dunbar High School.

[94Terrier]

When I first looked at just the names and sizes, my initial thoughts were that appeared to be a relatively small group of signees. But after reading the bio's, this appears to be a really good group of athletes, with lots of potential. Lots of "All-this" and "All-that's" in the bios. Congrats on what appears to be a good recruiting class.

[JMU Newbill]

When I first looked at just the names and sizes, my initial thoughts were that appeared to be a relatively small group of signees. But after reading the bio's, this appears to be a really good group of athletes, with lots of potential. Lots of "All-this" and "All-that's" in the bios. Congrats on what appears to be a good recruiting class.

You know what.... I thought the same thing about the sizes. I hope you are right... I hope it turns out to be an athletic bunch.

[jmufan999]

eh, don't worry about size a lick. look at montana's o-line as a reference. didn't look on paper like they could be stopped, but richmond's quick d-ends were the difference in the game. plus don't forget, some of these kids are still growing! i know i didn't stop growing until about 23 or so. sounds like an excellent recruiting class, i'm excited.

[JMU2K_DukeDawg]

Yeah, JMU will always be "small" in its recruits. We recruit athletes more than anything. Our O-line is always athletic to be able to play a spread. We don't drop back and pass for 30-40 times a game, so we don't need giant beefcakes to hold the pressure. We do need quick guys with good hands and feet that can move well while run blocking.

This was mostly a DB kind of class to replace the losses in the defensive backfield. In a couple years (we have had a few good recruits last year in this area), JMU will be a tough defense again. The key is good LBs and DBs. Adrian Cavanaugh is a steal from the area that has produced NFL guys like Darren and Jamie Sharper, Damien Woody, Sean Barber, and Eron Kenney. Not all famous, but still, the rich area of NFL Talent in Central VA. Many in the Central VA area were surprised JMU was able to get him.

[jmufan999]

Yeah, JMU will always be "small" in its recruits. We recruit athletes more than anything. Our O-line is always athletic to be able to play a spread. We don't drop back and pass for 30-40 times a game, so we don't need giant beefcakes to hold the pressure. We do need quick guys with good hands and feet that can move well while run blocking.

This was mostly a DB kind of class to replace the losses in the defensive backfield. In a couple years (we have had a few good recruits last year in this area), JMU will be a tough defense again. The key is good LBs and DBs. Adrian Cavanaugh is a steal from the area that has produced NFL guys like Darren and Jamie Sharper, Damien Woody, Sean Barber, and Eron Kenney. Not all famous, but still, the rich area of NFL Talent in Central VA. Many in the Central VA area were surprised JMU was able to get him.

haha, i live in central virginia and i had never heard of him. BUT, i am totally out of the loop, so that means nothing. i also hear he is great, can't wait to see him. you think he'll redshirt?

i think i knew about the sharpers, but i didn't know about the others. eron kinney, huh? yeah, he's a solid player. those guys have all been in the league for a while.

god i'm bored at work today.

[JMU DJ]

Link to the JMU Sports Web Page with the story Newbill referenced (http://www.jmusports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=71029&SPID=8113&DB_OEM_ID=14400&ATCLID=3663085)


Overall, the class looks really good. Bunch of Rivals 2+ star recruits. Not to mention Cavanaugh and Robertson look like two ridiculous athletes at the LB positions (though Roberson seems to play well offensively and defensively).

[BDKJMU]

Haven't been on here for a few days. Didn't see the DNR article posted, so here it is a couple of days old:

Starry Group Posted 2009-02-05
Even Rivals.com Likes Dukes' Recruiting Class
http://www.dnronline.com/details.php?AID=35238&CHID=3

[HoyaMetanoia]

Harvey's pretty decent. Should be a good return man if you choose to use him that way.