College Football Playoff team adds veteran defender as rebuild continues

The 2025-26 college football season is set to conclude with the Miami Hurricanes facing the Indiana Hoosiers in the national championship game. This marks the second year of the 12-team College Football Playoff system and the first instance of two Group of 6 programs participating in the playoff field.

James Madison University and Tulane were both included in this year's playoff but were eliminated in the opening round. Both programs are experiencing significant changes, with James Madison undergoing coaching transitions and losing at least 28 players to transfers. Ten of these players have followed former head coach Bob Chesney to UCLA.

James Madison is actively rebuilding its roster, having signed 15 defensive transfers recently, including Nevada's Nakian Jackson. Jackson, a redshirt junior linebacker, played 11 games for Nevada in the 2025 season, recording 54 tackles and an interception returned for a touchdown. He began his college career at Sacramento State and will have one season of eligibility remaining. Jackson is ranked as the No.