Now that spring football is over for the James Madison University Dukes, what is next?
Well, the immediate next step for Coach Mike Houston’s staff, is to sit down with each player that participated in spring practice and evaluate where they are and where they are going. This could range from identifying areas of weakness that needs attention, to “maybe this isn’t for you”. This is the point in each season where coaches and players identify if they’re relationship is a good fit moving forward. “It’s a big commitment, we have very high expectations” says 3rd year Head Coach Mike Houston. “Unfortunately every once in a while you’ll have a player who cannot or most often, a player who will not meet those expectations, and we have no deviation from what the standard is. It’s not for everybody, and everyone understands that if you’re going to be on this football team, you are accountable to everybody in that room”. Coach Houston is also planning a sit down with each player before the end of the semester.
For some of the players who’ll meet with the coaches, the conversation will be more about their health, and being ready for fall camp than anything else. Roughly 20 players did not participate in the spring game due to injury, and a bulk of those missed the entire spring. These players #1 focus is being 100%, or as close as possible for the August report date.
In a few weeks, the coaches will hit the road recruiting, working on the 2019 class, while keeping an eye on players who become available via the transfer market. What positions could be in play for transfers, my guess, and that’s what it really is, my guess- I’d say a speedy wide receiver who fits the mold of the team would be hard to turn down. You can never seem to have too many defensive linemen, and possibly a Safety, if one were to surface. Again, the fit has to be right. The Dukes have a luxury of not having to reach on a player, and do have options going into the fall.
Coach Mike Houston did say the Dukes expect to have an additional player join the roster within the next month. This unidentified player is most likely finishing up his requirements at his current school. Once he’s signed and cleared, an announcement can be expected.
