Bill Dee looks forward to Smith opener
by Jamaar Hawkins, recruit757
A week after watching senior defensive lineman Darnell Ewell commit to Notre Dame, Lake Taylor head coach Hank Sawyer saw another one of the 2017 recruits pick a college home on Saturday, with linebacker Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey choosing James Madison University.
“JMU is a great program. I have a great relationship with the coaches, great academic programs. It’s been love since day one. I think I can go in and play early as long as I handle my business. So, it’s just a great situation for me,” Tucker-Dorsey said of his decision.
The Dukes offered the 6-foot, 200-pound senior early in the spring period. The second-team all-Group 4a selection has previous interest from Norfolk State, where he was a visitor during the Spartans’ junior day and was impressed by the new coaching staff.
“{Norfolk State} really look like they’re going to get after it this year. They should be a better team than last year with the new coaches,” Tucker-Dorsey said following the visit.
You could have nabbed Norfolk State as the early favorites after landing a pair of Lake Taylor players last year in offensive tackle Mike Carney and defensive back J.T. Wahee. Youngstown State offered Tucker-Dorsey in the spring. Rutgers, UNC, Virginia Tech, UVA and Wake Forest also kept tabs on the athletic linebacker. But when James Madison came calling, it was tough to turn away the Colonial Athletic Association powerhouse. Tucker-Dorsey visited JMU for their junior day as well and immediately connected with the Dukes’ coaching staff.
“I really knew since day one that I wanted to go to JMU, but I wanted to give it a time to see what other schools might be out there,” said Tucker-Dorsey.
JMU were co-champs of the CAA in 2015, finishing the season ranked 11th in the STATS FCS Top 25 poll. The program enter this season ranked 14th in FCS, according to Athlon Sports. Sawyer, who led the Titans to state titles in 2012 and 2014 was in attendance as Tucker-Dorsey announced his decision to join the FCS powerhouse. The linebacker credits Sawyer for guiding him to this point.
“It just felt great to have him there supporting me and showing us its not just about football, but I can go to him for anything. He’s great at teaching us how to be a man. He’s given us the tools to see the light,” Tucker-Dorsey noted.
Lake Taylor will open the 26th at home against Heritage (NN). The Titans will face Western Branch, Northeastern (NC) and then Norview in a four-week stretch to follow the opening week. Even without last year’s Gatorade player of the year Wayne Davis, Tucker-Dorsey expects the Titans to be in prime contention for their third consecutive state title appearance despite losing to Salem (VA) in the championship last season.
“I’m just glad to get the commitment out of the way. I was able to pick a good school and get ready for the season. We want to get back to the states and win it. We got the team to do it. If we play our game everything else will fall into place,” the senior added.
-Jamaar Hawkins
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