Two Delaware Natives, Wayne Knight and Joseph Simmons, Suit Up for James Madison in College Football Playoffs

Photo: Ben Hershey on Unsplash

The College Football Playoffs kick off this weekend, and in the matchup of #12 James Madison versus #5 Oregon on Saturday, December 20th, two Delaware natives will suit up to give the Dukes a chance to upset the Ducks.

Those two Delaware natives are Redshirt Junior running back Wayne Knight, who hails from Smyrna, and offensive lineman Joseph “Jo” Simmons, who is from Dover.

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Let’s talk about Wayne Knight first.

Wayne Knight, Running Back:

Knight began his football journey at Smyrna High School, where he quickly established himself as a standout player. He played a pivotal role in leading the Eagles to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2019 and 2020, and in 2021, he helped guide the team to the 3A state championship game. Throughout his high school career, Knight collected numerous honors, earning DIAA 3A All-State recognition and All-Conference selections in each of his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.

Knight continued his football career at James Madison University, following in the footsteps of his brother, who played wide receiver for the Dukes for two seasons. Wayne redshirted his sophomore year, but in 2025 (junior), he would have a breakout season and help lead JMU to a historic ride to Sun Belt Conference Champions and a ticket to the College Football Playoffs.

In the 2025 regular season, the Delaware native rolled through defenses, posting 1,263 rushing yards with nine touchdowns in 190 carries. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry this year.

Knight also had three games where he went over 100 yards, including one where he rushed for 150 yards in  James Madison’s 35-10 rout of Georgia Southern on October 4th.

The Smyrna native exploded with a career high in JMU’s dominating Sun Belt Conference Championship win over Troy with 212 yards rushing. He also galloped for a career-long 73-yard touchdown in the victory.

No surprise, but Knight was named Sun Belt Football Championship Most Valuable Player for that performance on December 5th.

He has collected multiple accolades this year, including  Second Team All-American all-purpose player from  Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, USA Today, and On3. The Smyrna High alum was also named a Paul Hornung Award Finalist and First Team All-Sun Belt running back.

Knight also had another brother, who was a running back for the University of Delaware for two seasons.

Then there is Joseph “Jo” Simmons, who helps Knight look good by opening up holes for him to blast through.

Joseph “Jo” Simmons, Offensive Lineman:

Simmons began his football playing days at Salesianum High School in Wilmington, Delaware. He helped lead the program to the 2021 3A state semifinals. Jo didn’t just excel on the football field; he lettered in track & field as a discus thrower. The offensive lineman earned multiple honors for his play on the field, including DIAA 3A First Team All-State as a senior and Second Team as a junior, First Team All-Conference as a junior and senior, and First Team All-Class as a senior.

The Dover, Delaware, native started his college career at James Madison by redshirting his freshman year. Simmons started to see regular time on the field in the 2024 season, playing in 13 games and making one start at left tackle, which was in the Boca Raton Bowl versus Western Kentucky. He helped the Dukes’ offense that year rank in the top 30 in the FBS in fewest interceptions (4) and third in fewest turnovers (9). The Salesianum was on the offensive line that ranked 23rd nationally in time of possession and 24th in fewest fumbles lost.

In 2025, Simmons was a major part of the line that helped their rushing attack and their quarterback have career years. The offensive line helped their quarterback, Alonza Barnett III, become the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year. Barnett III threw for 2,533 yards with 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season. The Redshirt Junior quarterback also rushed for 544 yards with 14 touchdowns, and that wouldn’t have happened without the protection of Simmons and the rest of the offensive line.

These two Delaware natives now have a chance to upset a strong Oregon team on Saturday and put their names in the history books of college football.