JMU football secured the commitment of two high-profile quarterbacks Tuesday, adding Holy Cross/UNLV’s Matthew Sluka and Richmond’s Camden Coleman. The commitments are the most notable of any during JMU’s offseason portal cycle.

Coleman, a rising junior (6’3 and 220 lbs) has played in 18 games for the Spiders, starting 14 of those 18. He has 3,192 career passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He’s completed 65% of his passes, while also adding 314 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.

Coleman earned a PFF grade of 85.3 in 2024, the best of any player on Richmond’s offense. He helped lead the team to a 10-3 record, with the squad losing two games he didn’t start at the beginning of the year. He began the season as QB2 before quickly becoming the starter and leading an explosive offense to an 8-0 CAA record.

He’ll join JMU after a strong FCS career and reunite with wide receiver Landon Ellis, who also transferred to JMU this offseason.

Sluka, on the other hand, joins JMU after a rough stretch at UNLV. He led the Rebels to an undefeated start and two wins over Big 12 teams before leaving the program over an NIL dispute. He completed just 43% of his passes with the Rebels, but ran the ball effectively and limited turnovers. Before UNLV, he thrived for Bob Chesney and Dean Kennedy at Holy Cross. He ran for over 1,000 yards in two separate seasons and threw 59 TDs to only 15 INTs during his FCS career. He received interest from P4 programs coming out of Holy Cross. 

Coleman and Sluka join JMU at a fascinating time, as the Dukes’ starting quarterback in 2024, Alonza Barnett, is recovering from a serious leg injury. What do the QB commitments mean for the Dukes’ QB room next season?

Alonza Barnett’s 2025 availability is in doubt

This doesn’t come as a massive surprise to those following the situation closely, but Barnett seriously injured his knee in the regular-season finale, a 35-33 loss to Marshall. He missed the bowl game, wearing a brace on his right leg after what seemed to be a knee surgery. While Barnett hasn’t been given an injury designation publicly, it’s likely he’ll need anywhere from 6-12 months to recover.

Surgery occurred in December, meaning Barnett could miss the entirety of the 2025 season — it’s possible he won’t be cleared for full-contact football activities until August or later. If that’s the case, the starting QB job is between Coleman and Sluka. It’s almost a certainty Barnett will miss spring practices and maybe longer.

Chesney added depth at the position knowing his 2024 starter is seriously injured and could take a medical redshirt in 2025. It’s a huge bummer for a talented young QB.

Coleman and Sluka can start immediately

Nothing is guaranteed in a college football offseason, but Coleman and Sluka both have the ability to win Sun Belt titles. With Barnett seriously injured and JC Evans extremely inexperienced, it’s hard to see anyone other than Coleman or Sluka under center when the Dukes open the season against Weber State, even if Billy Atkins returns — which seems fairly unlikely now with two major transfer additions.

Coleman was fantastic in 2024, showcasing the ability to throw the ball at all three levels of the field. He’s a solid short passer, completing 79% of passes between 0-9 yards downfield, per PFF. None of Coleman’s short throws were “turnover worthy.” Barnett completed 71.8% of those short throws last fall, with three of his short passes being deemed “turnover worthy” by PFF.

On deep balls (20+ yards down the field), Coleman posted an 84.4 grade, which was essentially the same grade (84.6) that Barnett posted last season. Deep balls are perhaps the biggest strength of Barnett’s game. Both quarterbacks are exceptional on throws traveling 10-19 yards, with Coleman posting an 86.5 grade and Barnett posted a sparkling 91.1 grade.

Where Coleman separates himself from Barnett is when he’s facing pressure. Coleman posted a 77.3 grade when under pressure in 2024, a superb grade. Barnett posted a 36.7 grade, which is well below average. Coleman posted an impressive 87.3 grade against the blitz, while Barnett checked in at a respectable 64.2.

Coleman thrived under pressure and with a clean pocket in 2024, suggesting he can handle just about any situation thrown his way in the passing game. He made good decisions and showcased impressive running ability, racing for 342 yards and six scores. He has all the makings of a top-tier Sun Belt quarterback, and there’s a case to be made that he could beat out a healthy Barnett in a QB battle. Both QBs are extremely talented.

As for Sluka, he’s going to play. He’s a stud, especially as a runner. Even if Coleman wins the starting nod, Sluka has averaged six yards per carry in his career INCLUDING sacks. That’s freakish. His pressure-to-sack rate has been at 26.4% or below for four consecutive years, meaning he’s good at avoiding pressure when it comes his way. 

Sluka is a physical runner, often lowering his shoulder into defenders and gaining yards after contact. Don’t let the national media storylines about Sluka “quitting” on UNLV fool you. He loves to play football and he makes winning plays. He will find his way onto the field for JMU in 2025, perhaps as the starter. At the very least, he’s going to have a running package within JMU’s offense and should see the field weekly. 

Sluka’s completion percentage, which was just 58% at Holy Cross and 43.8% at UNLV is a legit concern. He’s not the world’s best passer, which leaves the door open for Coleman to win the 2025 starting job.

JMU’s offense should roll

JMU’s offense returns running backs Ayo Adeyi, George Pettaway, Wayne Knight, and Jobi Malary. The offensive line added a few key transfers — LT Jeremiah Mawali and C/G Zach Greenberg could be starters — and returns critical pieces in T Patrick McMurtie, T Joseph Simmons, G Josh Toner, G Riley Robell, G Carter Sweazie, and C Brett Davis. At wide receiver, the Dukes lose Cam Ross and Omarion Dollison, but they’ve added Ellis, Villanova transfer Jaylan Sanchez, and Tusculum transfer Za’Ron Collins. Yamir Knight returns, as does Dylan Williams. 

If the Dukes hit on Coleman or Sluka, there’s potential for JMU to have the top offense in the Sun Belt. The Dukes should be able to lean on their running backs, while also using either Coleman’s accuracy and mobility or Sluka’s power running to stress defenses. Knight became JMU’s most reliable target in 2024, and Ellis and Sanchez were both CAA standouts. Collins and Sanchez have proven big-play ability. Tight ends Logan Kyle and Josh Phifer also have upside in the passing game.

There’s still plenty to work out — including the rotations at RB and WR — but adding Coleman and Sluka means Barnett’s injury and likely 2025 absence won’t derail the team’s Sun Belt title dreams.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications