WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Aug. 15, 2013)—William and Mary head football coach
Jimmye Laycock recently sat down with TribeAthletics.com and discussed the team's wide receivers in the video feature available above or by clicking
here.
Be sure to check back this afternoon for a video feature with wide receivers coach David Corley.
Additionally, a written preview discussing the team's wide receiver position 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.
WIDE RECEIVERS
While the wide receiver position was a question mark entering the 2012 season, the returning core of players in this year's group has proven its ability to make an impact. With former quarterbacks coach David Corley moving over to lead the wideouts this season, the position group is poised for even greater production. Highlighting the returnees is junior all-conference standout Tre McBride, who established himself as one of the nation's top playmakers last fall. In addition to leading the team with 55 receptions for 897 yards and 10 touchdowns, he also recorded a team-high 1,130 all-purpose yards. The 6-1, 190-pound native of McDonough, Ga., possesses outstanding size, speed and hands. Additionally, he has excellent body control and the ability to catch balls at the highest point. McBride's skills also translate well to special teams, where he is slated to be the team's punt returner this season.
Although McBride figures to be the team's primary threat, junior wideout Sean Ballard (6-0, 190) will also be a top target. After a slow start last fall, Ballard emerged as an outstanding player during the latter portion of the season and averaged 84.0 receiving yards per game with three touchdowns during the final four contests. The Plano, Texas native possesses outstanding speed with quick feet and sure hands. Additionally, he has demonstrated proven big-play ability and ranked second on the team with 14.1 yards per catch in 2012. Ballard built off the impressive finish to last season with a solid spring and should make an even bigger impact in 2013.
The receiving corps will also include a trio of players who have yet to earn extensive playing time, but have the potential to make significant contributions. The group includes sophomore Zach Fetters, redshirt freshman Kevin Hart and sophomore transfer Christian Reeves, who played at Virginia Tech last season before enrolling in classes at W&M during the summer.
Fetters (6-3, 210) turned in a solid spring after appearing in 10 games as a reserve. The Montgomery Village, Md., native is a reliable downfield blocker who plays to his strengths and has good hands. Additionally, he could see time on special teams as a punt returner. Hart (6-1, 192) was a member of the travel squad for four games last season as a true freshman and is a strong, physical player with good speed and quickness. He also possesses toughness and excels at working underneath coverage. Reeves comes to W&M after appearing in 10 games as a reserve wide receiver for the Hokies last season. A native of McDonough, Ga. – the same hometown as fellow Tribe wideout Tre McBride – Reeves was a standout prep player at Eagles Landing Christian Academy and ranked as the No. 29 tight end in the country by Rivals and the No. 35 tight end by ESPN.com/Scout, Inc. In addition to his impressive size (6-3, 210), Reeves possesses good speed and has the ability to emerge as a significant contributor this fall.
