After leading James Madison to the College Football Playoff, starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Friday.
Barnett, a redshirt junior, just wrapped his fourth season with the Dukes. He tore his ACL on the final snap of the 2024 regular season, but bounced back to be named the Sun Belt Player of the Year this season after completing 58.4% of his passes for 2,806 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
He also ran for 589 yards and 15 touchdowns, helping James Madison (12-2) win its first Sun Belt championship and make its first CFP appearance in its fourth season as an FBS program.
“This has been a very difficult decision, but after a lot of prayer and contemplation, I’ve made the decision to enter the transfer portal,” Barnett announced on his X account.
Barnett appeared in 30 games for James Madison over the last four seasons, throwing for 5,433 yards, 49 touchdowns and 13 interceptions with 1,075 rushing yards and 23 scores.
He could be following former James Madison coach Bob Chesney to UCLA, where he was hired on Dec. 6. However, Nico Iamaleava, UCLA’s starting quarterback this past season, announced Monday he will return in 2026 after throwing for 1,928 yards with 13 touchdowns and rushing for 505 yards with four TDs in his first season with the Bruins.
The transfer portal officially opens on Jan. 2 and remains open through Jan. 16.
