WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (March 20, 2012) - With
three spring practices already completed, William and Mary standout linebacker
Dante Cook recently sat down with TribeAthletics.com to discuss his offseason
preparation as well as his future goals both on and off the field.
Below is a
quick look at the Tribe's spring two-deep at the linebacker position.
Coaches Call:
Defensive
Coordinator / Linebacker Coach, Scott Boone:
"I have been
very pleased with the play from this group through the early part of the spring
session. They have brought focus,
intensity and a great work ethic to each session. I think we have a great
mixture of youth and experience among the unit, and I think they are eager to
have a great spring showing.
"As currently
constructed, this group won't have a lot of size, but it will be athletic
and will have the ability to play fast. I expect it to adopt an attack
mentality and create big plays for the defense."
| Linebackers |
| Outside Linebacker |
#10 Jabrel Mines, Sr. (6-0, 212)
2011 Season Highlights - Video
One the
Tribe's most productive defensive players during the past two seasons ... Strong,
active linebacker who has an excellent ability to pursue the football ... Started
all 11 games in 2011 and earned third team All-CAA honors after totaling a
team-high 109 tackles with 8.0 tackles for a loss , 4.5 sacks, two
interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries ... Ranked sixth in
the CAA with 9.9 tackles per game ... Equaled a career high with 16 tackles at
Virginia ... Honored as the 2011 W&M QB Club Defensive Player of the Year. |
#55 Alex Goodman, So. (6-0, 225)
Strong,
athletic linebacker who has continued to develop during his two seasons at the
College ... Saw action in seven games as a reserve and on special teams in 2011
and finished the year with 10 tackles ... Best effort came in the win at VMI when
he registered four stops ... Also made three tackles in the season opener at
Virginia ... One of two linebackers from Fredericksburg, Va. (Dante Cook). |
| Middle Linebacker |
#35 Dante Cook, Sr. (5-11, 222)
2011 Season Highlights - Video
Will enter his
senior season as one of the CAA's top linebackers ... A strong, fast and
versatile playmaker who will shift back to the middle linebacker position after
playing outside linebacker last season ... Played middle linebacker as a
sophomore ... Appeared in just eight games last season due to injury but ranked
fourth on the team with 64 tackles ... Earned second-team All-CAA honors as a
sophomore after averaging 10.1 tackles per game. |
#54 Ben Casper, Jr. (6-1, 225)
A tough,
hard-working reserve during the past two seasons, Casper appeared in all 11
games last season and finished the year with 12 tackles ... Posted a career-high
four stops, all solo, in the win against No. 6 New Hampshire ... Honored as the
2009 W&M Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year. |
| Outside Linebacker |
#6 Airek Green, So. (6-1, 210)
Exceptionally
athletic and talented player who missed all of last season after appearing in
10 games as a true freshman in 2010 ... Made the move from defensive back to
linebacker as a freshman and finished the season with 11 tackles. |
#58 Luke Rhodes, RFr. (6-2, 225)
Talented young
linebacker who has quickly emerged as a potential contributor ... Had a very
productive winter in the weight room ... Scout team linebacker last season who
possesses good size and strength ... A two-time Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class
3A All-State selection. |
