The James Madison Dukes made history in 2025.
For the first time ever, a Sun Belt team crashed the exclusive stage of the College Football Playoff. James Madison qualified as the fifth highest-ranked conference champion after disposing of Troy in the Sun Belt Championship Game on Dec. 5, earning the No. 12 seed in the 12-team playoff field.
Those accomplishments suddenly become more impressive considering James Madison achieved all that in its fourth year as an FBS program, successfully overcoming
what can often be a difficult transition between the subdivisions.
JMU was an unmistakable FCS powerhouse. In its final six years as an FCS program from 2016-21, it qualified for the semifinals five times, the national championship round three times, and claimed a title in 2016. But the program wasn’t satisfied with its dynasty status at that level and instead strived for more. That gamble of transitioning to the FBS paid dividends this December when James Madison participated in a College Football Playoff game. Although the result did not pan out favorably for the Dukes, they still showed their offensive mettle in a 51-34 defeat to Oregon, posting 509 yards in the track meet in Eugene — the most Oregon surrendered all season.
Also impressive about JMU’s 2025 run — it withstood the loss of an accomplished head coach and a horde of star players that all made the trek from Harrisonburg, VA to Bloomington, IN after the 2023 campaign. Curt Cignetti worked wonders at James Madison, guiding the Dukes to an FCS national championship appearance and two semifinal appearances from 2019-21. He then facilitated one of the most successful jumps to the FBS in history, producing a 19-5 record in two years — warranting an AP Poll ranking at one point in each of JMU’s first two seasons playing at the highest level.
Now Cignetti is competing in another national championship with a program that couldn’t fathom being associated with those two words prior to his arrival. The Indiana Hoosiers qualified for five bowl games in the 30 years prior to Cignetti’s arrival and won zero. In fact, their last bowl win was 1991. Their last 10-win season was… never. The former JMU frontman published an 11-2 record in his debut season, qualifying for the College Football Playoff and only losing to National Championship participants Ohio State and Notre Dame.
2024 seemed like a Linsanity run for Indiana at the time, but in reality, it was only the preview of the monster that was to form. In 2025, Cignetti unearthed college football’s ultimate machine — a dream-killer reminiscent of Nick Saban’s 2010s Alabama dynasty. The Indiana Hoosiers were the only team that entered the College Football Playoff with a spotless record, and once the playoff commenced, they started pummeling teams like nobody’s business. 38-3 over Alabama. 56-22 over Oregon. And on Monday night, they’ll compete in their first-ever National Championship against Miami (FL) as considerable favorites.
Cignetti is man behind it all, but how much James Madison influence is in this Indiana team? Here is the guide of former Dukes to watch in Monday’s National Championship, with their impacts during this 15-0 start quantified:
- RB Kaelon Black (#8)
- 15 games, 169 rushes, 961 rushing yards, 10 rushing TD, 4 receptions, 36 receiving yards
- RB Solomon Vanhorse (#18)
- 15 games, 9 rushes, 48 rushing yards
- WR Elijah Sarratt (#13)
- 13 games, 12 starts, 62 receptions, 802 receiving yards, 15 receiving touchdowns
- DE Mikail Kamara (#6)
- 15 games, 15 starts, 30 tackles, 7.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 pass deflection
- DT Tyrique Tucker (#95)
- 15 games, 15 starts, 39 tackles, 12.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks, 2 pass deflections
- ILB Aiden Fisher (#4)
- 14 games, 14 starts, 93 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 INT, 1 pass deflection 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 defensive TD
- CB D’Angelo Ponds (#5)
- 14 games, 14 starts 56 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 2 INT, 8 pass deflections, 1 FF, 1 defensive TD
Cignetti originally brought 13 players with him from James Madison to Indiana. Seven remain. Five are starters and Kaelon Black — who backs up lead running back Roman Hemby — is closing on a 1,000-yard season. Many of Indiana’s greatest playoff highlights were created by JMU transfers.
For instance, D’Angelo Ponds drew plenty of eyeballs with his pick-six on the opening play of the Peach Bowl win over Oregon. Elijah Sarratt, the FBS’s receiving touchdowns leader, corralled three touchdowns in the Hoosiers’ two playoff games and now owns a score in nine-straight contests. Kaelon Black has three touchdowns during this CFP run as well. Aiden Fisher forced a fumble which swung the Rose Bowl in Indiana’s favor.
It’s not just Indiana’s players that stemmed from James Madison. Many of Cignetti’s assistant coaches did too — offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, special teams coordinator Grant Cain, running backs coach John Miller, and defensive tackles coach Pat Kuntz to name a few. Thus, it creates an interesting position for James Madison fans. While the current Dukes are fresh off a historic season featuring the Sun Belt’s first-ever CFP appearance, there is another horde of former Dukes looking to finish the job and win a title.
But one thing is for certain. There is a significant James Madison influence in this Hoosiers’ run to college football’s grandest stage, and this run isn’t complete without the contributions of those from Harrisonburg, VA.
