James Madison University’s football program recently completed its most successful season ever, achieving a 12-1 regular-season record, winning a Sun Belt Conference championship, and earning the school’s first College Football Playoff berth. Now, it faces a major offseason shakeup, one of the most significant in college football.

Historic Success, Immediate Turnover

After a standout campaign in 2025, the Dukes advanced to the College Football Playoff as the No. 12 seed. They faced No. 5 Oregon in the first round and lost 51-34 to the Ducks. The CFP game marked a high point for the program but also led to a period of significant roster changes.

Shortly after the postseason, head coach Bob Chesney accepted the head coach position at UCLA. This change at the top of the program set the stage for further roster shifts. Within days, JMU announced former Florida head coach Billy Napier as Chesney’s replacement, which fueled transfer speculation.

Roster Exodus Through the Transfer Portal

According to the 247Sports transfer portal tracker, at least 23 James Madison players entered the portal by early January. This number has grown, with 26 players now listed as outgoing transfers. This mass movement represents one of the highest exit totals for a team in the 2026 portal cycle.

Many players entering the portal were key contributors from JMU’s 2025 roster, including:

Quarterback Alonza Barnett III — the Sun Belt Player of the Year and a central figure in the Dukes’ playoff offense.Running back Wayne Knight — a leading rusher with over 1,300 yards in 2025.Offensive lineman Carter Sweazie — a veteran starter and all-conference player.Wide receivers Landon Ellis and Braeden Wisloski, tight end Lacota Dippre, along with other offensive line and skill-position players.

Several important defensive players have also entered the portal, including edge rusher Sahir West, cornerbacks Justin Eaglin and DJ Barksdale and safety Tyler Brown. This further weakens the veteran leadership on both sides of the ball.

When considering players graduating or moving to the portal, JMU faces nearly complete turnover of its starting offense from 2025. This situation is rare for a program fresh off a CFP appearance.

Why So Much Movement?

Several factors are driving the transfer activity at James Madison:

Coaching change: Bob Chesney’s departure and the arrival of a new staff under Billy Napier created uncertainty, prompting some players to explore other options.

NIL and exposure: With postseason success elevating player profiles, several Dukes prospects now have increased visibility and interest from Power Four schools.

Portal momentum: Player movement often picks up when teammates announce their decisions, particularly during the concentrated January portal window.

What’s Next for the Dukes?

Napier now faces the challenge of quickly rebuilding a roster in turmoil. The significant player departures highlight the new realities of college football, where momentum, NIL influence and coaching changes can rapidly alter a lineup. The Dukes will actively recruit high school prospects and look to acquire players from the portal as they prepare for the 2026 season.

James Madison’s situation illustrates the changing landscape in NCAA football. Even the most successful Group of Five programs can experience dramatic turnover in just a few days, emphasizing the high stakes of coaching hires, postseason achievements and the transfer portal era.