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WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Feb. 2, 2011) - Fresh off the school's fourth conference crown and a top-10 national finish, William and Mary Head Football Coach Jimmye Laycock announced the College's signing of 15 players to National Letters of Intent this afternoon.
"This is a versatile class, with nine of the 15 players coming in at skill positions," stated Laycock. "We addressed a broad range of need areas for the program. I am very pleased with the outstanding work the staff did to put this class together, and I expect it has the potential to make a significant impact in the years to come."
The incoming class is comprised of players from eight states along the east coast from Florida to New Jersey. In addition to five signees from Virginia, the class also includes players from New Jersey, Pennsylvania (3), Maryland, Florida, Georgia (2), Tennessee and North Carolina. The group consists of three defensive linemen, three offensive linemen, three quarterbacks, two wide receivers, two defensive backs and a linebacker.
Tailback Keith McBride, a transfer from the Naval Academy, comes to campus with four-years of eligibility remaining.
The Tribe will come into 2011 season looking to defend its CAA Championship with a total of 15 players (eight on offense/seven on defense) returning with starting experience, including seven returning all-conference performers. W&M will look to continue to build on the momentum of the last two seasons, which have seen it enter the NCAA Championship field.
The Tribe's annual Green and Gold Spring Game will be held on April 16 in Zable
Stadium. W&M will open its season at
Atlantic Coast Conference foe Virginia on Sept. 3.
| Name |
Video | Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. | Hometown/High School |
| Mikal
Abdul-Saboor |
View | QB | 5-10 | 214 | Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta H.S. |
| Christian Brumbaugh | View | QB | 6-2 | 191 | McDonald, Pa./South Fayette H.S. |
| Jasper Coleman | View | DL | 6-3 | 271 | Richmond, Va./James River H.S. |
| Nick Easter | View | OL | 6-3 | 286 | Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge H.S. |
| Zack Fetters | View | QB/ATH | 6-2 | 195 | Montgomery Village, Md./Gaithersburg H.S. |
| Braxton Hicks | View | DE | 6-3 | 215 | Charlotte, N.C./Phillip O'Berry Academy |
| DeAndre Houston-Carson | View | DB | 6-0 | 171 | Woodford, Va./Massaponax H.S. |
| Anthony Johnson | View | WR | 6-1 | 167 | Fredericksburg, Va./Mountain View H.S. |
| Andrew Jones | View | OL | 6-1 | 270 | Naples, Fla./Naples H.S. |
| Keith McBride | View | RB | 5-11 | 210 | Collierville, Tenn./Memphis University School (Navy) |
| Tre McBride | View | WR | 6-0 | 184 | McDonough, Ga./Ola H.S. |
| Lou Petrocelli | View | OL | 6-3 | 305 | Norwood, N.J./Old Tappan H.S. |
| Luke Rhodes | View | LB | 6-2 | 225 | Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area H.S. |
| Jared Templeton | View | DL | 6-3 | 284 | Tyrone, Pa./Tyrone Area H.S. |
| Jared Velasquez | View | DB | 6-0 | 195 | Fairfax, Va./Robinson H.S. |
A biographical sketch of each student-athlete follows:
Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta High School
Quarterback
5-10, 214
Head Coach: Jason Dukes
Prep: Earned first-team all-region honors in 2010 ... A dual-threat quarterback who was selected as his team's offensive MVP in 2008 ... Honorable mention all-state among 5A players ... Had 1,052 rushing yards and 16 TDs and passed for an additional 2,100 yards and 19TDs as a senior ... His 3,152 total yards and 35 combined TDs set school records ... Also a three-year lettermen of the basketball team and was honored as the team's MVP in 2008 ... Earned a letter on the track team as a sprinter ... Personal Son of Mikal and Andrea Abdul Saboor ... A four-time scholar-athlete award winner at Alpharetta High School.
McDonald, Pa./South Fayette High School
Quarterback
6-2, 191
Head Coach: Joe Rossi
Prep: Finished his career as the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League's (WPIAL) all-time passing leader with 7,164 career yards ... Also threw 72 touchdown passes during his career ... Led South Fayette to back-to-back undefeated regular seasons as a junior and a senior and was selected to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous All 22 Team both seasons ... Set the WPIAL single-season records for passing yards (3,726) and touchdown passes (52) as a senior en route to leading his team to the WPIAL AA Championship at Heinz Field, home of the Steelers ... Set a PIAA playoff record with six touchdown passes in a playoff game ... WPIAAL AA Player of the Year (2010) ... Honored as the Washington (Pa.) Observer Reporter High School Player of the Year in 2010 ... Two-time all-state selection (2009-10) ... Two-time first-team All-Century Conference selection and league MVP (2009-10) ... Selected team captain as both a junior and a senior ... Led team to 27-2 combined record last two years in program ... Completed 237-of-367 attempts for 3,762 yards, with 52 TDs and just eight interceptions as a senior ... Also was a starting forward on the South Fayette High basketball squad that won PIAA State Championship (2009) ... Personal: Son of Randy and Maria Brumbaugh ... Member of Teen Institute, National Honor Society and Highest Honor Roll ... Served as FBLA Secretary.
Richmond, Va./James River High School
Defensive Lineman
6-3, 271
Head Coach: Greg DeFrancesco
Prep: Two-year letterwinner for coach Greg DeFrancesco at James River High School ... Earned first-team all-district honors as a senior ... Garnered honorable mention all-region distinction in 2010 ... Member of the 2010 James River track and field team...Was the 2010 Dominion District shot put champion in indoor track ... Won the district discuss title in outdoor track ... Rated as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com ... Personal: Son of Casper Coleman Sr. and Yolanda Coleman.
Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge High School
Offensive Lineman
6-3, 286
Head Coach: Bill Brown
Prep: Three-year starting offensive lineman for head coach Bill Brown at Colonial Forge High School ... Earned all-district and all-region honors as a senior ... Also garnered all-area distinction from the Free Lance Star in 2010 ... Chosen to the all-district and all-region teams as a junior ... Served as a team captain ... Personal: Son of Jeff and Susan Easter.
Montgomery Village, Md./Gaithersburg High School
Quarterback/Athlete
6'2, 195
Head Coach: Kreg Kephart
Prep: Named the Maryland Old Spice High School Football Player of the Year in 2010 ... 2010 Washington Post and Gazette Newspaper's Player of the Year... Selected to the 2010 Washington Post All-Metropolitan First Team as a safety ... Earned first-team all-state honors as a senior ... Earned all-conference and all-county honors as a senior... Led team to Maryland 4A West Region title ... As a senior at Gaithersburg High School, he threw for more than 2,000 yards and rushed for more than 600 yards ... Accounted for 41 touchdowns as a senior ... Also recorded 10 interceptions while playing safety in 2010 ... Selected to the 2010 Maryland Crab Bowl All Star Game ... Standout performer in track and field ... Was the 2010 Maryland 4A State indoor high jump champion ... Also the starting center fielder on the GHS baseball team... Personal: Son of Denise Huttenlocker and Mike Fetters ... Member of the Spanish Honors Society... Member of Brothers, which is a local youth mentoring program ... Both parents attended William & Mary.
Charlotte, N.C./Phillip O'Berry Academy
Defensive End
6'3, 215
Head Coach: Andrew Howard
Prep: Earned all-conference honors in 2010 and 2009 ... Was an All-Mecklenburg County selection in 2010 ... Elected as a team captain for his senior year ... Recorded 19 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2010 ... A four-year letterwinner in basketball ... Also a two-year letterwinner in track ... Personal: Son of Cynthia and James Hicks ... Member of the National Society for High School Scholars ... Member of the Spanish Honor Society.
Woodford, Va./Massaponax High School
Defensive Back
6-1, 171
Head Coach: Eric Ludden
Prep: Chosen to the All-Commonwealth District First Team as a defensive back and a running back in 2010 ... 2010 All-Northwest Region defensive back... Garnered all-area accolades from the Free Lance-Star as a senior...2010 Massaponax High School Football Offensive Player of the Year ... Rushed for 1,000 yards during senior season ... Personal: Son of Sonny and Christina Carson.
Fredericksburg, Va./Mountain View High School
Wide Receiver
6-1, 167
Head Coach: Lou Sorrentino
Prep: Earned first-team All-Commonwealth District honors as a senior ... 2010 second-team all-region selection...2010 Free Lance-Star all-area first-team selection ... Totaled more than 600 yards receiving to go along with 10 touchdown receptions as a senior ... Finished his career with 2,660 yards receiving and 27 touchdowns ... Rated as a two-star recruit by Rivals ... Personal: Son of Willie and Regina Johnson ... Will reunite with former Mountain View teammate Jordan King, who is currently a member of the Tribe football team.
Naples, Fla./Naples High School
Offensive Lineman
6-1, 270
Head Coach: Bill Kramer
Prep: Selected to the Naples Daily News All-Area Team in 2009 and 2010 ... FACA District 16 First-Team selection in 2009 and 2010 ... Chosen to the All-Collier County Athletic Conference Team in 2009 and 2010 ... A two-year letterwinner on the track team as a thrower ... Personal: Son of Paul and Susan Jones.
Collierville, Tenn./Memphis University School (Navy)
Running Back
6-0, 210
Head Coach: Bobby Alston
At Navy: Redshirted ... Prep: A 2010 graduate of Memphis University School, McBride earned letters in football (three) and track & field (three) ... His high school football team posted a combined 26-0 record over his final two seasons, winning state titles ... A two-time all-county running back, he served as the team captain his senior year ... Track team won the state title in 2009 ... claimed the 200 meter crown at the state championship with a time of 21.9 ... Rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com ... Personal: Full name is Keith Bernard McBride II ... Son of Keith and Geraldine McBride.
McDonough, Ga./Ola High School
Wide Receiver
6-0, 184
Head Coach: John Kovzel
Prep: Three-year varsity starter for head coach John Kovzel at Ola High School ... A talented playmaker with great ball skills, he recorded more than 1,500 all-purpose yards as a senior ... Finished the 2010 season averaging 9.8 yards per carry and more than 25 yards per reception with 10 touchdowns ... Garnered all-region accolades in 2010 for the second consecutive year ... Selected All-Southern Crescent ... Named to the Southern Crescent Top 12 Most Wanted Football Recruits ... Earned the Mustang Scholar-Athlete Award and was chosen as the OHS Offensive Player of the Year ... Totaled 1,000 all-purpose yards with seven touchdowns as a junior ... Averaged more than 8.5 yards per carry and more than 20 yards per reception ... Garnered all-region honors in 2009 ... Selected as the 2009 OHS Athlete of the Year ... Following his junior year, he posted an outstanding performance at the National Underclassman Combine (NUC) and Rivals combine in Atlanta where he earned MVP honors for wide receivers ... Also lettered in basketball and track ... Team's leading scorer during the Georgia State basketball playoffs ... An outstanding student, he ranked in the top 5 percent of his senior class ... A Georgia Merit Scholarship winner and a Distinguished Honor Roll Student ... First chair trumpet player for the OHS concert band ... Personal: Son of Douglas and Pamela McBride.
Norwood, N.J./Old Tappan High School
Offensive Lineman
6'3, 305
Head Coach: Bryan Dunn
Prep:. Helped Old Tappan High to an appearance in the New Jersey North 1 Group 3 State Title Game ... 2010 All-Bergen County First Team ... Two-time first-team NBIAL ... 2010 All-Group 3 Second Team ... NUC Offensive Lineman MVP ... NUC Ultimate 100 Camp East Offensive Lineman MVP ... Member of the track and field team and throws the shot put and discuss ... Personal: Son of Laura and Jimmy Petrocelli.
Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area High School
Linebacker
6-2, 225
Head Coach: John Barton
Prep: Chosen to the Pennsylvania Sports Writers Class 3A All-State Second Team in 2010 ... 2010 WPIAL All-Keystone Conference selection ... Second-team all-state honoree as a junior ... All Mountain Athletic Conference selection as a junior ... Named to the All-Mountain Athletic Conference as sophomore ... Also four-year letterman of the Hollidaysburg Area High School basketball team ... Personal: Son of Doug and Margaret Rhodes ... Father, Doug Rhodes played football at Navy ... Cousin, Justin Gildea currently plays football at Temple.
Tyron, Pa./Tyrone Area High School
Defensive Lineman
6-3, 284
Head Coach: John Franco
Prep: Four-year letterwinner for head coach John Franco at Tyrone Area High School ... An all-state selection as a defensive lineman in 2010 ...Was a member of the Altoona Mirror All-Area Team and chosen as the 2010 All-Area Player of the Year ... Garnered Mountain League Nittany Division first-team honors as a defensive and offensive lineman in 2010 ... Helped his team post a 12-1 record and advance to the District 5&6 championship as a senior ... As a junior, he earned second-team all-state honors as a defensive lineman ... All-Conference selection as an offensive and defensive lineman during his junior year ... Standout place-kicker who earned second-team all-conference honors as a senior ...Three year letterwinner for the TAHS basketball team ... Second-team all-conference basketball selection during his junior season ... Two year letterwinner on the TAHS baseball team as a pitcher... Personal: Son of Todd and Judy Templeton.
Fairfax, Va./Robinson High School
Defensive Back
6-0, 195
Head Coach: Mark Bendorf
Prep: Four-year letterwinner for head coach Mark Bendorf at Robinson High School ... Honored as the Concorde District Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year as a senior ... Garnered first-team all-district honors as a defensive back, running back and kick returner in 2010 ... Chosen as the 2010 Northern Region Defensive Player of the Year ... Earned first-team all-region distinction as a running back and a defensive back ... Named to the All-Met First-Team as a defensive back ... Also earned first-team all-state honors as a defensive back in 2010 ... Won the Rams Booster Award ... A 2011 Fairfax Football Hall of Fame recipient ... Named to the first-team all-district team as a defensive back, running back and kick returner as a junior ... Earned second-team all-region distinction as a defensive back and utility player in 2009, while garnering honorable mention accolades as a running back and kick returner ... Chosen as RHS Rookie of the Year as a sophomore ... Ranked as the 76th best safety prospect by ESPN.com Scouts ... Rated as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com ... Four-year letterwinner on the baseball team as a centerfielder ... Earned first-team all-district honors as a junior ... Personal: Son of Jorge and Tammy Velasquez ... Grandfather, John T. Rudd, is a member of the LA College Hall of Fame and played for the New York Giants ... Uncle, John R. Rudd, played basketball at McNeese State and for the New York Knicks.
