< PreviousVILLANOVA ROSTER 2021 VILLANOVA FOOTBALL 10 n WWW.VILLANOVA.COM COACHING STAFF HEAD COACH: Mark Ferrante OFFENSIVE RUN GAME COORDINATOR/OFFENSIVE LINE: Sean Devine DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/SECONDARY COACH: Ola Adams OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/QUARTERBACKS COACH: Chris Boden RECRUITING COORDINATOR/LINEBACKERS COACH: Dave Riede SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR/DEFENSIVE RUN COORDINATOR/ DEFENSIVE LINE: Ross Pennypacker RUNNING BACKS COACH: Brian Jones WIDE RECEIVERS COACH: Nate Pagan OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS COACH: Matt Colangelo OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT: Josh Fletcher VIDEO COORDINATOR: TJ Landis ATHLETIC TRAINER: Tyler Waite STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH: Mike TuckerWILLIAM & MARY ROSTER 2021 VILLANOVA FOOTBALL 12 n WWW.VILLANOVA.COM(SORRY, WILL D. CAT) All applications for insurance are subject to underwriting guidelines and approval. Coverage and discounts are subject to policy terms, exclusions, and effective dates; limits and deductibles apply. Coverage is not available in all states. Insurance underwritten by NJM Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, 301 Sullivan Way, W. Trenton, NJ 08628 PROUD PARTNER We have fun with Will D. Cat at Villanova games, but when it comes to insurance, we get pretty serious. NJM provides great coverage without mascots or repetitive jingles, and we’ve done it for over 100 years. So when it comes to protecting some of life’s biggest investments, like your home and car, remember what matters most: knowing you’re covered. GET A QUOTETODAY’S TWO DEEPS 2021 VILLANOVA FOOTBALL 14 n WWW.VILLANOVA.COM OFFENSE Quarterback 12 Daniel Smith 6-0 190 Gr. 14 Connor Watkins 6-3 215 So. Running Back 28 DeeWil Barlee 5-8 195 Jr. 36 Jalen Jackson 5-9 215 Sr. Wide Receiver 10 Dez Boykin 5-10 195 Sr. 27 Jared Wolfe 6-1 195 Gr. Wide Receiver 19 Rayjoun Pringle 5-9 185 Jr. 15 Jaquan Allen 6-1 205 So. Wide Receiver 11 Jaaron Hayek 6-1 195 Jr. 8 Qadir Ismail 6-6 215 Jr. Tight End 86 Todd Summers 6-5 250 Gr. 87 Charlie Gilroy 6-5 255 Sr. Right Tackle 79 Nick Torres 6-6 320 Jr. 70 Wyatt Hummel 6-6 290 So. 74 Temi Ajirotutu 6-4 310 RFr. Left Tackle 71 Kofi Appiah 6-6 305 Gr. 70 Wyatt Hummel 6-6 290 So. Center 62 Colin Gamroth 6-4 305 Sr. 69 Jake Pickard 6-3 290 RFr.. Left Guard 73 Michael Corbi 6-3 335 Sr. 66 James Petrovcik 6-3 295 Jr. Right Guard 67 MJ Dumas 6-3 320 Gr. 66 James Petrovcik 6-3 295 Jr. DEFENSE Defensive End 92 Malik Fisher 6-5 265 Gr. ¬¬ 99 CJ Pressley 6-4 285 Jr. Defensive Tackle 78 Peter Fallon 6-3 295 Gr. 46 Jared Nelson 6-3 295 Sr. Defensive End 94 Garrett Zobel 6-2 290 Jr. 90 Jake Green 6-0 285 RFr. Linebacker 4 Qwahsin Townsel 6-0 220 So. 9 Mike Ruane 6-0 230 Gr. Middle Linebacker 43 Forrest Rhyne 6-1 235 Gr. 42 Timmy Furgeson 6-2 215 RFr. Linebacker 29 Amin Black 5-9 225 Sr. 48 Owen Thomas 6-4 245 Jr. Cornerback 41 Christian Benford 6-1 205 Sr. 23 Isas Waxter 6-2 210 Jr. Cornerback 2 Denzel Williams 5-10 190 Jr. 38 John Rhodan 5-11 170 RFr. Free Safety 34 Ethan Potter 5-11 205 RFr. 3 Elijah Glover 6-1 190 RFr. Weak Safety 40 Ty Trinh 5-11 190 RFr. 34 Ethan Potter 5-11 205 RFr. Strong Safety 24 Darius Pickett 6-0 185 Jr. 17 Nowoola Awopetu 5-11 200 Gr. SPECIALISTS Placekicker 97 Cole Bunce 5-10 180 Gr. 93 Will Bartel 5-9 175 So. Kickoffs 97 Cole Bunce 5-10 180 Gr. Punter 96 Nathan Fondacaro 5-10 190 Sr. 14 Connor Watkins 6-3 215 So. Long Snapper 58 Ben Wheless 5-11 210 Fr. 51 Joey D’Antonio 5-9 190 Gr. Kick Returner 17 Nowoola Awopetu 5-11 200 Gr. 10 Dez Boykin 5-10 195 Sr. Punt Returner 27 Jared Wolfe 6-1 195 Gr. 19 Rayjoun Pringle 5-9 185 Jr. Holder 51 Joey D’Antonio 5-9 190 Gr. 18 Matt O’Connor 6-2 205 Jr. OFFENSE Wide Receiver 9 Zach Burdick 6-1 200 Sr. 83 Tyler Rose 6-1 195 RFr. Wide Receiver 14 Cole Blackman 6-4 205 Sr. 13 JT Mayo 5-11 190 RF r. Tight End 81 Lachlan Pitts 6-6 255 Sr. 7 Anthony Mague 6-3 200 S r. Left Tackle 79 Andrew Trainer 6-7 320 RSo. 60 Charles Grant 6-4 270 S r. Left Guard 66 Dan Evers 6-5 315 S r. 61 Rian Haigler 6-4 315 So . Center 72 Ryan Ripley 6-2 285 S r. 63 Bart Francois 6-3 285 So . Right Guard 78 Marcus Crowell OR 6-5 295 J r. 61 Rian Haigler 6-4 315 So. Right Tackle 65 Colby Sorsdal 6-6 300 S r. 78 Marcus Crowell 6-5 295 J r. Quarterback 10 Darius Wilson 6-3 185 F r. 12 Hollis Mathis 6-2 175 Jr. Running Back 4 Donavyn Lester 6-2 210 J r. 16 Bronson Yoder OR 5-11 195 Jr. 11 DreSean Kendrick 5-8 190 RFr. Fullback 40 Joey Nameth 6-3 230 J r. . DEFENSE Defensive End 90 Will Kiely 6-4 275 S r. 99 Nate Lynn 6-3 265 Jr. Nose Tackle 0 Zyquan Bessant 5-10 280 S r. 97 Evan De Buglio 6-4 280 So. Defensive End 99 Nate Lynn OR 6-3 265 Jr. 95 Mike Malone 6-4 260 RF r. Linebacker 55 John Pius 6-2 220 RF r. 3 Tyler Crist 6-0 245 Sr. Linebacker 19 Kevin Jarrell 6-1 240 J r. 44 James Jennette 6-5 220 RFr. Linebacker 2 Trey Watkins 6-0 230 S r. 35 Quinn Osborne 6-2 215 RF r. Linebacker 30 Isaiah Jones 6-1 225 Jr. 34 Alex Washington 6-1 210 RF r. Cornerback 6 Ryan Poole 5-11 185 J r. 24 Jaedon Joyner 6-0 185 So . Free Safety 17 Tye Freeland 5-11 175 S r. 7 Marcus Barnes 6-3 2255 So . Back Safety 5 Malcolm Spencer 6-3 205 J r. 8 Gage Herdman 6-3 225 S r. Cornerback 14 Ethan Yip 6-2 170 F r. 21 Tate Haynes 6-1 190 S r. SPECIALISTS Placekicker 47 Ethan Chang 5-10 185 RF r. 29 Will Whitehurst 6-3 180 J r. Kickoffs 47 Ethan Chang 5-10 185 RF r. 29 Will Whitehurst 6-3 180 J r. Punter 80 Will Michael OR 5-10 175 S r. 29 Will Whitehurst 6-3 180 Jr. Kick Returner 4 Donavyn Lester 6-2 210 Jr. 11 DreSean Kendrick 5-8 190 RFr. Punt Returner 16 Bronson Yoder 5-11 195 Jr. Holder 80 Will Michael 5-10 175 S r. Snapper 19 Kevin Jarrell 6-1 240 Jr. 51 Cory Ryder 6-5 270 Sr. VILLANOVA WILDCATSWILLIAM & MARY TRIBEWE SERVICE ALL MAKES AND MODELS, 24/7 As a proud sponsor, Wesley Wood Service Experts is proud to go the extra yard for the Villanova Wildcats. We’d also like to go the extra yard for you with an $80 savings on a Precision Tune Up. Call today to take advantage of this offer! 610.431.2626 WesleyWood.com On A Precision Tune-Up • Regularly $139, now just $59 • Reduce heating costs by up to 30%* • Helps avoid costly future repairs • Prepare your system for heavy winter use OFFER EXPIRES DECEMBER 31, 2021 SAVE $ 80 COUPON CODE: WESLEY WOOD FOOTBALLHEAD COACH MARK FERRANTE 2021 VILLANOVA FOOTBALL 16 n WWW.VILLANOVA.COM N ow in his fifth season as Villanova head coach, Mark Ferrante enters the 2021 campaign with a 21-18 (.538) career record leading the program. He is in his 35th year overall with the Wildcats including his time as head coach and 30 years as an assis- tant. Ferrante was the Assistant Head Coach from 1999-2016 and was named the 30th head coach in the history of Villanova Football at a press confer- ence on January 30, 2016. In his 35 years on the Wildcats sideline Ferrante has been a part of 238 victories and all 13 of the program’s FCS playoff appearances. Villanova has been a highly suc- cessful program both on and off the field during Ferrante’s head coaching tenure. In his first four seasons as head coach the Wildcats have had three major conference award winners and 25 selections to the CAA Football All-Conference teams, including nine members of the first team. Defensive back Christian Benford was named the CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2018 and Villanova has had back-to- back winners of the prestigious CAA Football Chuck Boone Leadership and Excellence Award which is present- ed to one senior student-athlete who embodies the highest standards of leadership, integrity, teamwork and sportsmanship in academic and athlet- ics. Chucky Smith was the 2019 winner of the award and Justin Covington earned the honor for the 2020 season. Outside of football the Wildcats student-athletes have consistently excelled in their academic pursuits during Ferrante’s time as head coach. Villanova was named the winner of the 2017-18 CAA Football Team Academic Excellence Award for having the high- est GPA among the league’s football members. In four of the last five years the football program has been cited for its academic success with pub- lic recognition awards as part of the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) program. The football team has set new program records for its highest APR score in four of the last five years THE BEST USE THE BEST GATORADE and G DESIGN are registered trademarks of Stokely-Van Camp, Inc. ©2019 S-VC, Inc. OFFICIAL SPORTS DRINK OF THE VILLANOVA WILDCATSHEAD COACH MARK FERRANTE 2021 VILLANOVA FOOTBALL 18 n WWW.VILLANOVA.COM in which data has been released. On an individual level, football student-ath- letes have had 316 honorees on the CAA Football All-Academic Team and 288 selections to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll during Ferrante’s time as head coach. There have also been 11 student-athletes recognized on the Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area Team. When the entire 2020-21 academ- ic year was affected by the COVID pandemic, Ferrante and the Wildcats made the most out of the opportunity to play four games in Spring 2021 and use the experience gained from those games moving forward. The spring games were officially recognized as the 2020 season and Villanova tallied a 2-2 record in four contests against CAA foes, including road wins over Stony Brook and Maine. The abbrevi- ated season had its share of highlights, with Justin Covington named the win- ner of the CAA Football Chuck Boone Leadership and Excellence Award to go along with being one of eight Wildcats chosen for the CAA Football All-Conference teams. Offensive line- man Michael Corbi and a trio of defen- sive players in lineman Malik Fisher, linebacker Forrest Rhyne and defen- sive back Christian Benford were each named first team All-CAA selections. Villanova came off its most suc- cessful season during Ferrante’s head coaching tenure in 2019 and the Wildcats were duly recognized for their success on the gridiron. The final national rankings at the end of the 2019 season had Villanova at No. 15, while the Wildcats were at No. 5 in the polls at the start of the 2021 spring season. Ferrante guided Villanova to a 9-4 record and the program’s seventh FCS playoff berth in the previous 12 years in 2019. After the Wildcats were picked to finish ninth in CAA Football before the season the team raced out of the gates with a 6-0 record, a 3-0 mark in league play and a No. 5 national ranking by the midpoint of the sea- son. Villanova had 10 players earn All-CAA accolades, including a trio of first team selections in Rhyne, offen- sive lineman Paul Grattan and punt- er Nathan Fondacaro. Senior safety Chucky Smith was named the winner of the Chuck Boone Award. Villanova has had six players sign NFL free agent contracts since Ferrante became head coach, including offen- sive tackle Brandon Hitner (LA Rams); safety Rob Rolle (Miami Dolphins); offensive lineman Ethan Greenidge (New Orleans Saints); defensive back Trey Johnson (Pittsburgh Steelers); defensive back Malik Reaves (Kansas City Chiefs); and linebacker Ed Shockley (Dallas Cowboys). Ferrante leads one of the nation’s elite FCS programs after playing an instrumental role in the Wildcats rise to national prominence. He has been a part of the coaching staff for all 13 of Villanova’s appearances in the FCS playoffs, including the 2009 national championship season and a 2010 semifinal appearance while serv- ing as the Assistant Head Coach on Andy Talley’s staff. Ferrante has been a part of Villanova teams that have won six CAA titles, three Lambert Meadowlands Cups and three ECAC Team of the Year awards. Ferrante’s success during his years as an assistant coach were recog- nized by others outside the Villanova program. At the end of the 2015 sea- son he was named the FCS Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). This award was first presented in 1997 and was created to honor assistant coaches who excel in community ser- vice, commitment to student-athletes and on-field coaching success. The characteristics that earned Ferrante the Assistant Coach of the Year award exemplify his dedication to all facets of a complete student-ath- lete experience. Since he arrived on the Main Line prior to the 1987 sea- son, Villanova Football student-ath- letes have been named Academic All-Americans on 12 occasions. That honor is one of the top accolades a collegiate student-athlete can earn and the Wildcats additionally had four student-athletes be named the CAA Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year in a span of nine years. Each year the NCAA recognizes programs that have a multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) score that ranks within the top 10 percent of their sport nationwide. Villanova has earned this award nine times in the 15-year history of the APR program. The team was the winner of the CAA Football Team Academic Now that’s a smart play. Earn points on what you already buy. For new EMR+ members only. 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