HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett III and head coach Bob Chesney headlined the 2024 Virginia Sports Information Directors University Division All-State Football Team as Offensive Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, while 11 players were selected to the All-State Team.

This is the sixth straight season JMU has earned a VaSID major award, as Barnett is JMU’s sixth Offensive Player of the Year and Chesney is the ninth VaSID Coach of the Year for the program.

Barnett turned in a solid year as JMU’s signal caller, resulting in him being a finalist for the Bill Dudley Award while winning the Touchdown Club of Richmond Division I State Quarterback of the Year. An Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt pick, Barnett was on the midseason watch list for the Maxwell Award and the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award.

The redshirt sophomore completed 213 of 355 passes for 2,598 passing yards and 26 passing touchdowns with just four interceptions. He also had 442 rushing yards and a team-best seven rushing touchdowns, as he accounted for 3,040 total yards and 33 total touchdowns. Barnett ranked ninth in the FBS and second in the Sun Belt in point responsibility (16.5) and 18th in the FBS and second in the league in passing scores.

Chesney guided JMU to a 9-4 overall record in his first season at the helm of JMU’s football program. The season culminated with the Dukes capturing their first bowl championship, defeating Western Kentucky, 27-17, in the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 18, 2024.

JMU produced one of the nation’s top offenses and defense, ranking top 30 in both scoring categories. JMU ranked 21st in scoring defense (20.5) and 23rd in total defense (321.8) while ranking 26th in scoring offense (33.3). The Dukes led the country in both turnover margin (1.54) and fewest interceptions thrown (4) while also ranking third in fewest turnovers (9), total takeaways (29) and pick-sixes (4). The four defensive scores overall also ranked fifth, while JMU was sixth in sacks (3.15) and fumble recoveries (12), seventh in both interceptions (17) and pass efficiency defense (111.48).

A total of seven Dukes were voted First Team All-State, as Barnett was accompanied by offensive linemen Pat McMurtrie and Cole Potts, defensive linemen Khairi Manns and Eric O’Neill, linebacker Jacob Dobbs and cornerback Terrence Spence.

Four players also earned Second Team status in receiver Omarion Dollison, tight end Taylor Thompson, safety Jacob Thomas and return specialist Cam Ross.

McMurtrie and Potts started every game on the right side of the line, as right tackle McMurtrie was the Sun Belt’s top-rated tackle having given up zero sacks on the season. He and Potts, who started every game at right guard, where both named First Team All-Sun Belt. The duo helped JMU rank top 30 in the FBS in seven areas, which included leading the country in fewest interceptions (4) and third in fewest turnovers (9). JMU also ranked 23rd nationally in time of possession (31:48), 24th in fewest fumbles lost (5), 26th in scoring offense (33.3), 28th in rushing yards (191.5) and 30th in pass efficiency rating (144.60).

Manns was a HERO Sports Group of Five Third Team All-American and Second Team All-Sun Belt defensive lineman after ranking top 20 in the FBS in fumble recoveries and sacks. Manns made 66 tackles with 12.5 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, one forced fumble, two recoveries and two breakups. He recorded at least a full TFL in eight games and a full sack in six outings.

O’Neill, a College Football Network Second Team All-American and HERO Sports G5 First Team All-American, ranked fifth nationally in the FBS in sacks and sixth in tackles for loss to earn First Team All-Sun Belt status. O’Neill tallied 52 tackles with 18.5 tackles for loss, 13.0 sacks, one interception, 16 quarterback hurries and three breakups. His sacks total ranks fourth in JMU single-season history, as he had at least 1.0 in eight games, while posting 1.5 TFL or more in seven games.

Dobbs was a Second Team All-Sun Belt linebacker after leading JMU in tackles. He made 74 total stops with 3.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and three fumble recoveries. His recovery total ranked fifth in the FBS and led the Sun Belt. He also ranked tied for third in the SBC in tackles per game (8.2). Off the field, Dobbs became the program’s sixth-ever College Sports Communicators Academic All-American, earning Second Team recognition.

Spence was a two-time All-American in 2024, taking home Second Team honors from the Football Writers Association and Third Team accolades from CFN. Also honored as a HERO Sports G5 Second Team All-American, Spence was JMU’s first semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award while also being a First Team All-Sun Belt defensive back. Spence had 38 tackles with a half TFL, one forced fumble, five interceptions, seven breakups and a pair of blocks. He ranked fourth in the FBS and led the Sun Belt in both interceptions and blocks.

Dollison was an Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt selection after leading JMU in receiving yards and being co-leader in receiving touchdowns. He made 37 catches for 633 receiving yards and six scores, averaging 17.1 yards per reception. Dollison ranked fourth in the SBC in yards per catch and tied for seventh in receiving scores.

Thompson, who was also Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt, matched Dollison with six receiving touchdowns to pace the Dukes to rank tied for seventh in the league. He made 33 receptions for 448 receiving yards, averaging 13.6 yards per catch. He also converted a pair of two-point conversions, passing for one and rushing for another.

Thomas, a Second Team All-Sun Belt defensive back, had 72 tackles with 8.0 tackles for loss, a half sack, three interceptions and three pass breakups. He had five or more tackles in eight games and at least 1.0 TFL in five outings.

Ross was a Third Team All-Sun Belt return specialist after averaging 28.2 yards per kickoff return. That was highlighted by a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Southern Miss. He additionally had 37 catches for 443 receiving yards and three scores.

Additionally, two of the newest members of the JMU football program for 2025 were voted Second Team All-State in quarterback Camden Coleman and wide receiver Nick DeGennaro, both formerly of Richmond.

Joining Barnett and Chesney as major award winners were Virginia Tech’s Antwaun Powell-Ryland (Defensive Player of the Year) and John Love (Special Teams Player of the Year), Liberty’s Aaron Fenimore (Offensive Rookie of the Year) and Richmond’s Matthew Traynor (Defensive Rookie of the Year).

JMU led all teams in the Commonwealth with 11 All-State honorees, as well as a state-leading seven First Team selections. Richmond had nine total selections and four First Team honors, while Virginia had seven total picks and Liberty earned six.

— JMU Athletics —