James Madison didn’t see any of its former players get drafted over the weekend but in the hours following the NFL Draft, multiple Dukes earned opportunities to continue their playing careers at the next level.

Dukes receiver Reggie Brown inked a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions, while defensive lineman Jamree Kromah agreed to a contract with the Chicago Bears.

Safety Chris Chukwuneke picked up a minicamp invite from the Denver Broncos. Isaac Ukwu, who played for JMU from 2017-22 before transferring to Ole Miss, was signed by the Detroit Lions.

Brown spent his entire collegiate career with the Dukes, arriving in the program in 2018. After redshirting his freshman season, Brown saw his role on the offense grow each year, becoming a focal point by his senior season.

Brown became a 1,000-yard receiver in his final season at JMU. He finished 2023 with 1,054 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. In a game against UConn, Brown set a JMU single-game record with 202 receiving yards.

As a senior, Brown had four games with over 100 yards receiving. He earned an honorable mention All-American selection from the College Football Network and made the All-Sun Belt Conference first team.

For Kromah, he spent two years with the Dukes after transferring from Rutgers. In his two seasons at JMU, Kromah was a fixture on the defensive line, starting 16 of his 23 games played.

Kromah started all 13 games of his senior season, racking up 60 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He also forced a fumble and had a fumble recovery. Last season, Kromah had seven games where he had at least 1.5 tackles for a loss. He also had a sack in seven games last year.

Kromah’s play in 2023 earned him a first-team All-Sun Belt and HERO Sports Group of Five first-team All-American selection. Kromah also attended the East-West Shrine Bowl.

Prior to his departure from the JMU program, Ukwu had 87 total tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks through 28 games played. Ukwu added 30 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks during his lone season at Ole Miss.

Chukwuneke’s minicamp invite came after a five-year career with JMU. During his time in Harrisonburg, Chukwuneke recorded 153 total tackles, 14 TFLs and four sacks. He also added a pair of interceptions, a forced fumble and six fumble recoveries.

Brown, Kromah and Ukwu join three other JMU players currently signed to an NFL team.

Former quarterback Ben DiNucci remains with the Broncos and Mike Greene is set to enter another season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Aaron Stinnie signed as a free agent with the New York Giants after spending four years in Tampa.

Head coach Bob Chesney also saw members of his teams at Holy Cross earn their shot in the NFL. Offensive guard C.J. Hanson was selected by the Chiefs in the seventh round with the 284th pick. He was the first player from Holy Cross to be drafted since 1989.

Two of Chesney’s wide receivers also signed contracts as undrafted free agents following the draft. Jalen Coker inked a deal with the Carolina Panthers and Ayir Asante signed with the Giants.

Coker played his entire career at Holy Cross. Asante graduated from the school in 2023 and played his final season at Wyoming.