London: Tribe recruiting class high on quality, low on numbers
William & Mary head coach Mike London calls the high school senior “the unintended consequence of football recruiting this year.”
Because COVID-19 has mostly eliminated camps and campus visits – not to mention canceled high school football seasons – opportunities to evaluate recruits beyond invariably flattering highlight tapes are diminished. The NCAA’s decision to grant an extra year to current collegiate athletes, and the loosening of transfer requirements, has also decreased roster spots for recruits.
Interestingly, those factors helped William & Mary as it put together the seven-man class it signed Wednesday. London feels it is higher in quality than expected, even if, like for many schools, it is smaller than typical.
Take Martin Lucas, a running back from Abingdon High. London said that even on Wednesday morning, Football Bowl Subdivision schools were still offering, but Lucas stuck to his belief that Football Championship Subdivision W&M is his best fit. London says that Lucas, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound three-star player who listed Arizona State on his short list in March, is the type of power running back who can be “truly special” in a W&M uniform.
Quarterback Darius Wilson, second last year in New York Gatorade Player of the Year balloting, is another high-profile recruit by W&M standards. More importantly, London says that Wilson, who totaled more than 2,800 yards, scored 28 touchdowns and threw just three interceptions as a junior, fits well
into new offensive coordinator Christian Taylor’s play-action-oriented pass game.
Versatile tight ends occasionally line up in the slot or even the backfield in Taylor’s offense. London thinks he signed a good one in 6-foot-6 Trey McDonald, whose length and speed make him a threat in the run and pass games.
Defensively, London says the changed recruiting situation allowed him to land a steal in David Roulley from Ocean Lakes. Like Ethan Yip, a Canadian by way of Episcopal in Alexandria, W&M is getting a 6-2 cornerback who brings speed, length and physicality in pass coverage.
Defensive ends Davin Dzidzienyo and Tanner Slavic, both in the 6- 4/6- 5, 280-pound range,
were recruited because their skill sets fit the Tribe’s 3-4 defensive scheme. Dzidzienyo’s combination of size and athleticism are highly coveted by the Tribe coaching staff.
London said the size and makeup of the seven-player recruiting class reflect a commitment to players who committed to the Tribe early – minus last-minute commit Lucas – and the current recruiting atmosphere. He said the class was built by evaluating game video, rather than just highlight video, and talking to recruits’ opposing coaches.
Transfers and seniors taking advantage of the extra year will be added to the mix. Because they reduce the number of roster spots at some of the FBS
schools, the Tribe will look to grab another “steal” if available in February.
“You have to be creative,” said London, whose team is scheduled to begin practice in January and expects to open the season March 6 at Richmond.
William & Mary signees
Davin Dzidzienyo, DL, 6-4, 280, Northwest, D.C./DeMatha Catholic
Martin Lucas, RB, 6-2, 230, Abingdon/Abingdon
Trey McDonald, TE, 6-6, 225, Kinnelon, N.J./ Kinnelon
David Roulley, DB, 6-2, 195, Virginia Beach/ Ocean Lakes
Tanner Slavic, DL, 6-5, 280, Uniontown, Pa./ Morgantown
Darius Wilson , QB, 6-3, 190, Bronx, N.Y./Iona Prep
Ethan Yip, DB, 6-2, 185, Surrey, B.C., Canada/ Episcopal (Va.)