UVA adds depth to defensive line with JMU starting nose tackle Atariwa

The Hoos also add his Dukes teammate, DB Amos

By Jerry Ratcliffe

When James Madison University announced it had suspended its 2020 football season, prized defensive lineman Adeeb Atariwa entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal on Friday.

After only two days, Atariwa announced he was transferring to nearby Virginia, becoming Bronco Mendenhall’s sixth transfer commitment. Atariwa, who is 6-foot-3, 278 pounds, is a graduate redshirt senior and is eligible immediately. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

Atariwa started 23 games for the Dukes over the last two seasons and is coming off a breakthrough year in 2019 when he posted 52 tackles and 13 tackles for loss along with 1.5 sacks, a blocked kick, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Fifteen of his starts came last season at nose guard for JMU, one of the best teams in the FCS.

He is originally from Dominion High School in Sterling, Va., where he was an all-state player his last two years.

Atariwa will be adding depth to an already strong Virginia defensive front that boasts Richard Burney, Jowon Briggs, Mandy Alonso, Aaron Faumui and Jordan Redmond.

Excited to announce that I will be attending THE University of Virginia to continue my football and academic career! I am grateful to all of the support which has made the decision making process easy. Looking forward to being apart of the Cavalier culture 🧡💙WAHOOWA pic.twitter.com/DKH7JuYyze

— adeeb (@adeebatariwa) August 9, 2020

Also announced on Sunday, the Cavaliers got a commitment from JMU defensive back D’Angelo Amos, who will also have one year of eligibility remaining.

A little more about Amos, courtesy UVA Media Relations:

Amos (Richmond, Va.) appeared in 44 career games for Dukes and leaves JMU No. 2 all-time with 1,259 career punt return yards. He returned five punts for touchdowns, including three in 2018. The defensive back was an American Football Coaches Association first-team All-American in 2019, as well as a first-team All-CAA safety and punt returner. He made 57 tackles, two interceptions, broke up five passes and blocked three kicks in 2019. Amos also returned 33 punts for 426 yards and one touchdown. For his career, Amos made 135 career tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups, four blocked kicks, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

Amos is a 2015 graduate of Meadowbrook High School where he as an All-Central Region utility player as a senior in 2015. He earned three varsity football letters and was a tri-sport athlete that ran track and played basketball. Amos was all-state in the 4×100 relay and was an all-region long jumper. Prior to enrolling at JMU, he played one season at West Point Prep, making four interceptions during 2015 season.

New Home Same Production, let’s get to it!! 🔸🔹⚔️ https://t.co/uRnVNR2Ax9

— DAmos〽️ (@AlmostfAMOS_) August 9, 2020

Atariwa and Amos will join several transfers to this football class along with Towson running back Shane Simpson, Central Michigan tight end Tony Poljan, Mississippi State quarterback Keytaon Thompson, St. Francis wide receiver Ra’Shaun Henry and Indiana running back Ronnie Walker, Jr.

All of those players, with the exception of Walker, are eligible immediately to play for the Cavaliers. Walker is awaiting word from the NCAA on his petition for eligibility this season.