WILLIAMSBURG — Though he’s a fifth-year senior, William and Mary linebacker Marcus Harvey was more jacked than most for Saturday’s spring game at Zable Stadium. Not only was it his last one in a Tribe uniform, it was also his first one.
“We were just talking about that before,” W&M defensive coordinator Trevor Andrews said. “He’s always been banged up. But he got through today pretty good, just bumps and bruises, the normal wear and tear.
“He was excited. It was fun to see him running around out there and doing some things.”
For Harvey, it was a victory to get out of spring practice without an injury. No hamstring, no tendon, no broken bone in his hand … it’s all good.
And Harvey apparently made the most of it. Andrews and Tribe head coach Jimmye Laycock both praised his play during spring drills and he’ll go into the fall No. 1 on the depth chart at one of the outside linebacker spots.
It’s a sweet reward for a player who clearly has the talent but also, at least until now, too much bad luck.
“It hasn’t been easy,” Harvey said. “I’ve had my ups and downs, but my teammates and coaches stayed on me to stay in shape and stay sharp in the film room. That helped out a lot.
“I was really excited about my first opportunity here. With conditioning and spring ball, I made it through. I’m moving in the right direction.”
With 10 career starts, Harvey knows the coaches are counting on him as W&M restructures the linebacker spots. W&M lost Luke Rhodes and Zach Fetters, its second- and third-leading tacklers, from last season.
Harvey and Stephen Lubnow, who started five games last season, are the two most experienced backers returning. And leadership will be part of the job.
“He has an easy-going, smooth quality about his personality,” Andrews said of Harvey. “The kids definitely like him. There’s always been a class ahead of him in the meeting room. Now, it’s him, (Matthew) Vlissides, Lubnow and (Dan) Schwab.
“Those guys finally get a chance to go and lead. It’ll be a big summer for them in the leadership department. Whether you’re a captain or not, you’re a senior and it’s your team.”
Harvey comes from good stock. His father, Ken, was an NFL linebacker for 12 seasons, the last six with the Washington Redskins. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection.
Marcus showed his playmaking ability early with a 29-yard pick six against Lafayette his redshirt freshman year. He started the 2014 opener against Virginia Tech and had 11 tackles, but those nagging injuries caused him to miss five of the next seven games.
Last season, he started six games. But he missed five. So coaches were understandably thrilled that he not only played well this spring, he didn’t get hurt.
“The best thing he did was stay healthy all spring,” Laycock said. “He kept himself healthy and showed a lot of leadership. He was a good, consistent player throughout the spring.”
NOTES: In Saturday’s controlled scrimmage, the offense scored both touchdowns in the air. On the first, Jhalil Mosley threw 20 yards to Jack Armstrong. On the second, converted safety Grant Waxter caught a 20-yard pass from Brandon Battle. Kris Hooper added a 35-yard field goal and Nick Dorka was good from 28. … Among the stat leaders: Mosley completed 7-of-11 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown, redshirt freshman Albert Funderburke Jr. rushed for 85 yards on 12 carries, and Armstrong caught six passes for 63 yards. … Xavier Roscoe had three sacks (play was blown dead when the quarterback, who wore red, was in danger). … W&M’s four captains, as voted on by the players, are quarterback Steve Cluley, running back Kendell Anderson, defensive end Peyton Gryder and cornerback Trey Reed. … Cluley, Anderson and wideout DeVonte Dedmon were among those who did not play Saturday.
