WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Aug. 9, 2014)—William and Mary head football coach
Jimmye Laycock recently sat down with TribeAthletics.com and discussed the team's linebackers in the video feature available above or by clicking
here.
Be sure to check back Monday for a video feature with defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Trevor Andrews.
Additionally, a written preview discussing the team's linebackers is available below.
Fans can continue to follow the team as it prepares for the season opener at Virginia Tech on Aug. 30 by visiting the preseason camp headquarters page.
Season ticket information is available by clicking here, or by calling the Tribe Ticket office at 757-221-3340.
LINEBACKERS
With two first-team all-conference standouts returning in senior Airek Green and junior Luke Rhodes, W&M enters the 2014 campaign with arguably the best linebacking unit in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). First-year defensive coordinator and position coach Trevor Andrews will lead the group after mentoring the Tribe's defensive linemen for the past decade.
Entering his third season as a starter, Rhodes (6-2, 242) will once again help direct the defense from the middle linebacker position. Selected as a team captain in the spring, he is a tremendous leader and has good football instincts, which helped him record a team-high 98 tackles last season en route to earning All-CAA honors for the second consecutive season. Despite the success, he continues to be one of the team's hardest workers and earned the squad's John A. Stewart Winter Warrior Award this spring for his commitment to improving both on the field and in the off-season training program. Because of that dedication and tremendous natural ability, he will likely challenge for national honors this fall.
Like Rhodes, Green (6-0, 225) earned first-team all-conference distinction last season and is poised to vie for national recognition during the 2014 campaign. One of the league's most productive playmakers, he finished last season with 82 tackles, 13.0 tackles for a loss, 4.0 sacks, three interceptions, seven PBU's, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and two defensive touchdowns. Entering his third year as a starter, the Chester, Va., native has an uncanny feel for the game and figures to be an impact player this fall.
Although the Tribe's base defense utilizes a scheme that includes just two linebackers, junior Ian Haislip (6-2, 235) is slated to be the third linebacker in dime and jumbo packages. A great effort player, he relishes contact and has a tremendous desire to improve. After a breakout spring in which he earned reps with the first unit, he will be counted on to be a consistent contributor this fall.
After gaining limited game experience in 2013, sophomore Matt Vlissides (6-0, 225) will add depth at the position again this fall. A hard worker, he has a good knowledge of the defense and will continue to benefit from increased reps as he develops.
| Who is Returning |
| Name |
GP/GS |
S/A
|
Tot |
TFL |
Sck |
Int |
PBU |
FF |
FR |
Blk |
Luke Rhodes
|
12/12 |
42/56 |
98 |
3.0 |
1.5 |
1 |
7 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Airek Green
|
12/12 |
53/29 |
82 |
13.0 |
4.0 |
3 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
| Ian Haislip |
8/0 |
2/1 |
3 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Who is Lost |
| Name |
GP/GS |
S/A
|
Tot |
TFL |
Sck |
Int |
PBU |
FF |
FR |
Blk |
Quincey September
|
11/3 |
29/20 |
49 |
2.5 |
0.5 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Matthew Pocta |
2/0 |
0/1 |
1 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
