WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Aug. 13, 2013)—William and Mary head football coach
Jimmye Laycock recently sat down with TribeAthletics.com and discussed the team's offensive line and tight ends in the video feature available above or by clicking
here.
Be sure to check back this afternoon for a video feature with offensive line coach Bob Solderitch.
Additionally, a written preview discussing the team's offensive line and tight end positions is available below.
Fans can continue to follow the team as it prepares for the season opener at West Virginia on Aug. 31 by visiting the fall camp headquarters page.
Season ticket information is available by clicking here, or by calling the Tribe Ticket office at 757-221-3340.
OFFENSIVE LINE/TIGHT ENDS
The offensive line should be an area of strength this season, as veteran position coach Bob Solderitch's unit returns three starters with extensive experience. Anchoring the group will be senior Matt Crisafi who moves to left tackle after starting at center during the past two seasons. A team captain and tremendous leader, Crisafi (6-4, 302) is a versatile player who has the ability to line up at any of the positions along the offensive front. The three-time academic all-conference selection also has exceptional football acumen and will be crucial to the team's success.
W&M's other returning senior starters along the offensive front include right guard Trevor Springman and left guard James Johnson III. Having started the past 22 games, Springman (6-4, 290) is the team's strongest lineman and has been one of its most consistent performers. Although he is athletic enough to play tackle if necessary, he should once again be a fixture at his right guard spot and has the ability to challenge for all-conference honors. Johnson (6-2, 290) is a former walk-on who worked his way into a starting role with 13 starts during the past two seasons. A consistent, steady performer, he has an aggressive playing style and is poised for an impact senior season.
Sophomore center Andrew Jones and redshirt freshman right tackle Domenic Martinelli are slated to move into starting roles this season, and their development will be crucial to the Tribe's offensive production. A tenacious, athletic player, Jones (6-1, 280) plays with good leverage and quickness. After serving as Crisafi's backup at center last season, he gained valuable experience during the spring and solidified his starting role. After redshirting last season, Martinelli is poised to take over the starting duties at right tackle after showing great potential during the spring. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native possesses a great combination of size (6-4, 310), strength and outstanding feet.
Providing quality depth along the offensive line will be a solid mix of experienced veterans and talented underclassmen. Senior Callen Larus (6-4, 295) has experience at both center and guard but will enter fall camp as Jones' backup at center. After seeing action in five games last season, Larus knows his assignments and has good size and strength.
Junior Baron Goodman and sophomore Nick Easter will serve as the backup right and left guards, respectively, behind the pair of senior starters. Goodman (6-4, 295) is one of the squad's hardest workers and maximizes his talent, while he uses his strength to play a very physical style. The Smithfield, Va., native saw action in eight games as a reserve last season and earned his first career start (at left guard) versus Lafayette. Easter (6-4, 300) is a versatile player who was a member of the travel squad for all 11 games last year. The Stafford, Va., native had a very productive spring and continued to improve his strength during the offseason. He is a smart player who knows the offense and is physical, especially in the run game.
Slated to serve as backups at the tackle spots are sophomores Jared Templeton and Zach Mahfood. Templeton (6-4, 295) will enter fall camp as a reserve at left tackle after moving from defensive tackle. The Tyrone, Pa., native has good feet and strength and gained valuable experience while learning the position during the spring. Mahfood (6-3, 293) possesses an outstanding work ethic and was a member of the travel squad for multiple games last season.
As the Tribe looks to increase its offensive production, a key component of its success could be determined by the production from the tight ends. Position coach Mike Godsil will look to find that production among a group of several student-athletes. A starter in six games last season, junior Bo Revell will likely become the full-time starter this fall. While the Haymarket, Va., native is a physical player with outstanding size and strength (6-6, 260), he also has good ball skills and averaged 13.6 yards per catch last season. Revell also brings veteran leadership to the position group and has a tremendous drive to achieve.
Competing for the backup tight end spot will be senior Robert Asmar (6-4, 240) and sophomore Evan McGill (6-5, 245). Asmar is a versatile and athletic player whose strength is in the passing game, while McGill has good size and hands and showed improvement during the spring.