Rodney Landers (2022) - JMU Athletics Hall of Fame - James Madison University Athletics

Rodney Landers

Induction:
2022
Class:
2009

A dynamic, dual-threat offensive talent, Rodney Landers quarterbacked the Dukes for two seasons as the starter in 2007 and 2008, leading one of the best squads in program history in 2008 to a No. 1 ranking for much of the season and the top seed in the FCS playoffs before finishing in the semifinals. He was runner-up for the Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player in the nation after passing for 1,534 yards with 21 touchdowns to go with 1,770 yards rushing and 16 scores. He was a Second Team All-American, CAA Offensive Player of the Year and winner of the Dudley Award as the best Division I football player in Virginia. As a quarterback, Landers set the JMU single-season rushing record in 2008 while also completing 63.3% of his passes with only four interceptions. He averaged 126.4 rushing yards per game. As a junior in 2007, he ranked 14^th in the nation for pass efficiency (148.22) and 20^th in total offense (245.9 per game). He rushed for 1,273 yards and passed for 1,678. Among all players, Landers ranks third in career rushing yards at JMU with 3,477, fourth in rushing touchdowns (31), sixth in all-purpose yards with 3,562 and sixth in total offense with 6,765 yards.