Billy Napier’s time at James Madison has been tumultuous following a wave of transfer portal exits after the departure of Bob Chesney to UCLA. This includes starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III, who decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal.
Barnett was named Sun Belt Player of the Year after leading the Dukes to the College Football Playoffs. However, the quarterback announced he would move on upon the opening of the transfer portal, with just one year of eligibility remaining.
Billy Napier Expected To Target Transfer Portal QB
Ahead of the 2026 season, the new James Madison head coach will need to rebuild his offense from scratch. With the departure of last year’s Sun Belt Player of the Year, the former Florida head coach could start at quarterback, with Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr as a target.
“Thanks to a mass exodus in the transfer portal and a new coaching staff, the Dukes need a solution at the quarterback position. New head coach Billy Napier worked with talented quarterbacks in the past, and Billy Edwards Jr could benefit from his tutelage,” wrote PFSN’s Joe Broback.
A historic 2025.
2026 🔜#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/lDxYd4rWzQ
— JMU Football (@JMUFootball) January 1, 2026
During his time at Wisconsin, Edwards Jr barely featured after suffering a knee injury earlier in the season; however, during the season before joining the Baders, while at Maryland, the Senior threw for over 2,881 yards and fifteen touchdowns.
The former Wisconsin quarterback suffered a grade 3 PCL strain to his left knee in the season opener versus Miami that limited him to just two games this season. However, he will most likely be eligible for a medical redshirt, entering his sixth season.
“Edwards’ potential makes him appealing to Power Four programs, but Group of Five teams give him a chance to start right away. If that’s what he wants, James Madison also allows him to return home to play college football.” PFSNs analyst continued.
With the quarterback position needing to be addressed, a veteran quarterback like Edwards Jr could be the perfect option. However, Napier will also have to rebuild his offensive line to protect the quarterback, who suffered from injury issues last year.
Additionally, James Madison is also set to lose All-American Running Back Wayne Knight. According to PFSN RB impact rankings, Knight ranked 50th nationally with an impact ranking of 79.6. Knight totalled over 1,770 all-purpose yards last season, which earned him All-American honors.
After setting the single-season all-purpose yard record at James Madison last year, the All-American decided to enter the transfer portal. This came after former head coach Bob Chesney accepted the coaching vacancy left by DeShaun Foster at UCLA.
While Edwards Jr could be a step in the right direction to open Billy Napier’s 2026 transfer portal window, the former Florida Gators’ head coach will still have a dozen other issues that need to be addressed as he looks to build on James Madison’s fairytale last year.
