With the College’s 2009 signing class now official, Head Coach Jimmye Laycock and his staff have assembled a strong group of players who will serve as a quality supporting cast in the years to come. Laycock’s 10 member class is consistent with the programs targeted goal and will be supplemented by an estimated 12-14 invited walk-on’s.
“I don’t like to single anybody out and say ‘this guy’s going to be that’, but with that said I think we’ve got a good solid class,” Laycock said. “We’ll see how things shape up this spring. Ideally, we’d like to redshirt everybody.”
— Among the main focuses this winter was in continuing to build depth along the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football. After garnering an impressive group in that area last year, highlighted by highly regarded freshman Robbie Gumbita, the Tribe has received four commitments in 2009. Headlining that field is Saint Annes Belfield lineman Bryan Stinnie, a first team VISAA all-state selection on both sides of the ball who picked the Tribe over a scholarship offer from Duke as well as other schools.
“Stinnie I think we can develop as a defensive player, but he might go either way,” Laycock said.
The 6’ 4” 240 pounder is an impressive get for the College and should blossom into a very lineman on either side of the ball.
Marietta, Georgia product Matt Crisafi should also feature well for the Tribe on the offensive side in a list that also includes Stone Bridge High’s Trevor Springman and Erie, Pennsylvania resident Jason Faipler.
Courtland High’s Samuel Johnson will look to make an impact at defensive end.
— Perhaps the class’ highest profile recruit is Somers Point, New Jersey quarterback Brent Caprio. While Caprio will almost certainly redshirt this fall, he had an impressive high school career and was courted by several 1-A programs.
“He’s from a real good team and has played real well; you always look to bring in a quarterback and see how well he will make the transition from high school to college,” Laycock said. “He was good in high school, so we’ll see. He’s a fine young man, good family.”
Caprio is a threat as a runner as well as a passer and comes out of the Tim Tebow mold. With Laycock’s skill at molding dual threat athletic quarterbacks, Caprio will be well-positioned to emerge into a standout player for the Tribe down the road.
— The player with the biggest upside among the 2009 class also comes with an interesting story. St. Anne’s Belfield product Quincy September will come to Williamsburg in the fall with huge versatility and potential; the 6’ 4” 200 pounder has only been playing organized football for several years and is a native of South Africa. With great size and speed, September could ostensibly line up anywhere from wide receiver to linebacker to defensive back after a few years of seasoning.
“Where he’ll play I don’t know, but he’s very interesting and a very good athlete,” Laycock said. “That’s one where we’re not looking at him immediately playing next year.”
— Finally, Varina High School’s T.K. Hester is a rivals 2-star defensive back who recorded four defensive touchdowns as a senior. The Richmond native should feature prominently in the defensive backfield after the graduation of the current crop of starters.
— In addition to the 10-member signing class, Laycock expects between 12 and 14 invited walk-ons to compete for spots and eventual scholarships.
“We’ve got a real good group of them right now who we’re working on,” he said. “We’re close to finishing that up and we treat that just as with anything else in recruiting. We’ve got several that have committed to us right now, although that’s non-binding.”
