WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (March 24, 2015) – Today's William and Mary football spring practice update features a video interview with safety Jared Velasquez, as well as a quick look at the Tribe's spring depth chart in the secondary. The video feature is available above or by clicking here.
Below is a quick look at the Tribe's spring depth chart in the secondary.
Defensive Backs Coach Trey Henderson
“Although we lost an all-conference safety and team captain in Ivan Tagoe, we return a lot of players with significant game experience in the secondary. We have a cohesive group that is tough, experienced and enjoys competing every day. I'm confident those things will translate into improvement this season.”
Defensive Backs
|
Cornerback
|
#36 DeAndre Houston-Carson, Sr. (6-1, 205)
2014 Video Highlights
Two-time all-conference selection and three-year starter … Potential to be one of the nation's elite cover corners … Great leader … Good man-to-man skills … Excellent size and speed … Good ball skills … Effective tackler … Exceptional special teams performer who ranked second nationally in blocked kicks when suffering a season-ending injury during Week 9 last season … Totaled three interceptions in 2014 and averaged 7.4 tackles per game. |
#8 Trey Reed, Jr. (5-8, 160)
2014 Video Highlights
Returning starter … One of the team's fastest players … Extremely competitive … Explosive player with good quickness … Possesses playmaking ability … Forced three fumbles last season … Also totaled 49 tackles and five PBU's in his 12 starts as a sophomore last fall. |
#27 Aaron Swinton, So. (5-9, 172)
2014 Video Highlights
Smart, consistent player who will challenge for a starting spot … Focused and competitive … Very athletic and coachable … Possesses tremendous upside as he continues to develop … Appeared in 10 games and started the final three contests as a redshirt freshman last fall … Finished the year with 30 tackles, an interception and four PBU's. |
#26 Denzel Dykes, So. (5-11, 170)
One of the secondary's most athletic players … Quick and fluid … Development this spring is key to securing playing time this fall … Reserve who appeared in 11 games as a true freshman last season … One of just four true freshman to earn playing time last fall. |
Strong Safety
|
#31 Jared Velasquez, Sr. (6-0, 205)
2014 Video Highlights
Two-year starter who ranked second on the team with 73 tackles last season … All-CAA candidate … Great knowledge of the game … One of the secondary's leaders … Physical player with athleticism and ability to cover … Good tackler … Great ball skills …. Has recorded two pick-sixes during his career. |
#41 Richie DiPietro II, So. (5-11, 196)
Gives great effort … High-motor, physical safety who plays with a down-hill style … Started spring practices with impressive play … Shown flashes of play-making ability … Saw action in 10 games and earned a start as a redshirt freshman last season … Forced a fumble in the win at Towson … Former W&M Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year (2013). |
#34 Anthony Fullum, So. (5-9, 175)
Making conversion from cornerback to safety this spring … Smart player with a good understanding of the game … Yet to see any game action but was a member of the travel squad for two contests as a redshirt freshman last season … Possesses good potential to add depth at position. |
| Free Safety |
#38 Mike Barta, So. (6-2, 177)
Long, rangy free safety with good knowledge of the defense … Good work ethic … Solid start to the spring practice season but must continue to develop to make an impact this fall … Reserve who appeared in three games as a redshirt freshman last season. |
#25 Rashaad Goodwyn, RFr. (6-1, 200)
Physical player … Good tackler … Shows promise to contribute this fall … Redshirted as a scout team safety last year … Becoming a more comfortable and confident player at the collegiate level. |
| Nickelback |
#29 Marcus Harvey, Jr. (6-2, 210)
2014 Video Highlights
Limited by injury last season when he saw action in seven games and earned four starts … Returned to spring practices healthy and competing at a high level … One of team's most explosive players … Long, athletic player with outstanding speed and good ball skills … Leader of the group … Versatile player who can play nickle or linebacker ... Earned his first career start in 2014 season opener at Virginia Tech and totaled a team-high 11 tackles, a forced fumble and a TFL. |
#35 Keanu Reuben, So. (6-1, 180)
2014 Video Highlights
Will miss the spring due to injury but a healthy return is expected for preseason practices … Good man-to-man technique … Possesses receiver-like ball skills … Play-maker who can cover a lot of ground … Extremely competitive … Hard worker … Appeared in 12 games and earned five starts as a redshirt freshman last season. |
