HARRISONBURG, VA: (Rocktown Now) – Three former James Madison football standouts will continue their careers at the professional level after signing contracts with National Football League teams following the 2026 NFL Draft.

James Madison Dukes football player in a purple uniform and gold helmet wearing a yellow mouthguard, #7
Jacob Thomas


Former safety Jacob Thomas has signed with the Minnesota Vikings, wide receiver Nick DeGennaro inked a deal with the New England Patriots, and cornerback Elijah Culp agreed to terms with the Arizona Cardinals, the players confirmed to JMU.


Thomas, an Ashburn, Va., native, was a four-year contributor for the Dukes and a captain of JMU’s historic 2025 squad, which fielded one of the nation’s top defenses, captured the program’s first Sun Belt Conference championship and earned a berth in the College Football Playoff.


A three-year starter at safety, Thomas started 39 of his 50 career games and finished with 199 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, five interceptions, 16 pass breakups and a forced fumble. He earned Second Team All-Sun Belt honors twice during his career.


As a senior in 2025, Thomas recorded 71 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble, tallying at least five tackles in 10 games. He was also named to watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award. Thomas becomes the second JMU player to sign with the Vikings, joining Shawn Woodson, who was selected in the 12th round of the 1989 NFL Draft.

James Madison football player in a white jersey #11 with purple trim and helmet, during a game.
Nick DeGennaro


DeGennaro signed a priority free agent deal with the Patriots after spending one season with the Dukes in 2025. The Old Bridge, N.J., native transferred to JMU after three seasons at Richmond and originally began his collegiate career at Maryland.


Over 56 career games across three programs, DeGennaro totaled 193 receptions for 2,544 yards and 21 touchdowns, starting 39 games. In his lone season at JMU, he started 13 of 14 games and finished with 28 catches for 500 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 17.9 yards per reception.


DeGennaro delivered several memorable moments during JMU’s playoff run, including becoming the first player from JMU, the Sun Belt Conference and the Commonwealth of Virginia to score a touchdown in the College Football Playoff on a 47-yard reception. He also completed a 50-yard pass in the CFP and added a rushing attempt, accounting for 555 total yards from scrimmage in 2025. Prior to JMU, he earned two All-Coastal Athletic Association honors at Richmond.

James Madison Dukes football player in a purple jersey with number 2, wearing a white helmet labeled DUKES, looking sideways on the field.
Elijah Culp


Culp rounded out the trio by signing with the Cardinals after anchoring JMU’s secondary during the 2025 season. A Charlotte, N.C., native, Culp started all 13 games at cornerback for the Dukes and earned Third Team All-Sun Belt recognition.


He finished the season with 46 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception and eight pass breakups, with his lone interception coming in JMU’s CFP first-round game at Oregon. Culp transferred to JMU after previous stops at Charlotte, Troy and Austin Peay, and concluded his career having played in 53 games with 35 starts, totaling 128 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions and 16 pass breakups.
The signings underscore the continued rise of JMU football, as the Dukes’ historic 2025 season translated into multiple opportunities at the professional level.
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