JMU signs five on National Signing Day to complete 2019 class

James Madison Head Coach Curt Cignetti announced the signing of five future football student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday for National Signing Day, which completes the 2019 recruiting class.

The Dukes signed 13 total players between December’s early signing period and February’s regular signing period.

The five newest Dukes include linebacker Julio Ayamel, wide receiver Kevin Curry Jr., defensive linemen Jalen Green and Carlo Jones and running back Latrele Palmer.

Of the five, three are high school teammates at Good Counsel in Olney, Md., in Ayamel, Green and Palmer. Jones also hails from Maryland, playing ball at Avalon High School, and Curry Jr. becomes JMU’s fourth signee from the Commonwealth of Virginia, coming out of John Handley High School in Winchester.

“We’re really excited about the 2019 recruiting class,” Cignetti said. “We believe these young men will be great assets to James Madison University as students, athletes and members of the Harrisonburg community.”

These five join the initial group of eight, who signed back in December. Those players include tight end Hunter Bullock, cornerback Dorian Davis, running backs Austin Douglas and CJ Jackson, defensive lineman Sean Johns, linebacker Taurus Jones, offensive lineman Tanner Morris and safety Jordan White. Bullock and Davis are already at JMU as mid-year enrollees at the university.

Virginia – 4

Maryland – 4

North Carolina – 2

South Carolina – 1

New Jersey – 1

Georgia – 1

Defensive Line – 3

Running Back – 3

Linebacker – 2

Cornerback – 1

Offensive Line – 1

Safety – 1

Tight End – 1

Wide Receiver – 1

· Second Team All-Metro as a junior and Honorable Mention as a senior

· First Team All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference as a junior and senior

· Reached semifinals of both 2017 and 2018 WCAC playoffs

· First Team All-Region defensive back as a senior and Second Team as a junior

· First Team All-Region wide receiver as a junior

· First Team All-Northwestern District receiver and defensive back

· Had 60 catches for 1,031 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior

· Also lettered in basketball, earning First Team All-Conference honors twice

· First Team All-Metro as a junior and senior

· First Team All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference as a junior and senior

· DC Touchdown Club member

· Good Counsel’s career sacks record holder (38.5) and single-season sacks holder (13.0 as a senior)

· Reached semifinals of both 2017 and 2018 WCAC playoffs

· Named Avalon’s Team MVP as a senior

· Led Avalon in sacks as a senior and forced fumbles as a junior and senior

· Started on the defensive line since his freshman season

· First Team All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference as a junior and senior

· Good Counsel’s Offensive MVP as a junior and senior

· Rushed for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior

· Reached semifinals of both 2017 and 2018 WCAC playoffs

· Also competed as a shot put athlete on the track & field team, placing third at the WCAC Championship

The 2018-19 JMU Football signing period is presented by Old Dominion Realty.

Julio Ayamel - Fr. - LB - 6-0 - 224

Gaithersburg, Md./Good Counsel

Hunter Bullock - Fr. - TE - 6-4 - 235

Gaffney, S.C./Gaffney

Kevin Curry Jr. - Fr. - WR - 5-11 - 180

Winchester, Va./John Handley

Dorian Davis - Fr. - CB - 6-0 - 170

Shelby, N.C./Shelby

Austin Douglas - Fr. - RB - 5-11 - 190

Alpharetta, Ga./Mount Vernon School

Jalen Green - Fr. - DL - 6-2 - 245

Baltimore, Md./Good Counsel

CJ Jackson - Fr. - RB - 5-10 - 190

Richmond, Va./Hermitage

Sean Johns - Fr. - DL - 6-3 - 240

Leesburg, Va./Gonzaga College

Carlo Jones - Fr. - DL - 6-3 - 240

Riverdale, Md./Avalon

Taurus Jones - Fr. - LB - 6-1 - 210

Portsmouth, Va./I.C. Norcom

Tanner Morris - Fr. - OL - 6-2 - 288

Fayetteville, N.C./Terry Sanford

Latrele Palmer - Fr. - RB - 5-11 - 230

Boyds, Md./Good Counsel

Jordan White - Fr. - S - 6-0 - 195

West Orange, N.J./West Orange