Five former JMU football players have joined NFL active rosters or practice squads ahead of the 2024 NFL season, and through a week of games, one of the five has earned regular-season playing time with their respective franchises.
Mike Green, a JMU defensive lineman from 2017-2021 who recorded 39 tackles for loss and 18 sacks in his collegiate career, recorded a tackle in Tampa Bay’s 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders. Green was elevated from the practice squad for the game because the Buccaneers were dealing with injuries on the defensive line.
Ahead of Week 2 of the 2024-25 NFL season, let’s take a quick look at former Dukes players in the NFL.
Mike Green, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Green played 23 times for the Buccaneers in Week 1, finishing with one tackle and a PFF grade of 58, according to Pro Football Focus.
Green performed admirably for Tampa Bay against the Detroit Lions in Week 2. Tampa Bay clearly has faith in the former JMU defensive tackle, and he’s been on the franchise’s practice squad or active roster since 2022.
Aaron Stinney, OL, New York Giants
Stinney did not play an offensive snap in Week 1, but was on New York’s active roster and played two special teams snaps. Stinney has had an impressive track record during his playing days, winning an FCS National Championship and a Super Bowl. In the 2020 season, he started the team’s final three postseason games and won a Super Bowl title with the Buccaneers.
Stinney has proven himself to be a capable rotational offensive lineman in the NFL and could see more playing time for the Giants as the season progresses.
Isaac Ukwu, DL, Detroit Lions
Rookie Ukwu joined Detroit’s practice squad after a strong preseason and had a shot at making the 53-man roster, falling just short.
Given Ukwu’s youth, it’s possible he could end up on the 53-man later in his career. Any injuries to Detroit’s defensive ends could give Ukwu some playing time in 2024.
Ukwu finished his collegiate career at Ole Miss but played six seasons at JMU before transferring.
Former JMU DE Isaac Ukwu recorded a strip-sack in the Lions’ preseason game today. He recorded one sack in each of Detroit’s three preseason games.
He has a good chance to make the Detroit roster. pic.twitter.com/BGFBseqI6h
— JMU Sports News (@JMUSportsNews) August 24, 2024
Liam Fornadel, OL, New England Patriots
A member of New England’s practice squad, Fornadel played very well for the D.C. Defenders the past two seasons. He’s a capable NFL player and could even be part of the Patriots’ offensive line rotation later in the season.
If Fornadel can stay healthy, he is expected to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster this coming season. He is a talented run blocker and a good fit at the guard position in the NFL.
Jamree Kromah, DL, Chicago Bears
Kromah, a rookie defensive lineman, joined Chicago’s practice squad. He didn’t have the same success in the preseason as Ukwu, but Kromah’s size and athleticism give him a chance to stick around in the NFL for years to come.
Photo courtesy of JMU Athletic Communications