Jasiah Williams
Thomas Dale High School recruits just keep racking up college offers. In this case, one school wants not one, but three Knights.
That school is Liberty University. The three athletes are offensive/defensive lineman Bryce Carter, wide receiver/defensive back Jasiah Williams and defensive back Crishaun Saunders.
Liberty is the seventh school to make an offer to Carter. At 6 feet, 3 inches and 260 pounds, he represents a problem for opposing offenses on the defensive line. Other offers include Virginia Tech, Virginia, Duke, Wake Forest, Pittsburgh and East Carolina. The colleges’ interest has been a direct result of his work on the field and in the weight room, according to head coach Kevin Tucker.
Colleges are drooling over Carter, Tucker said. “I expect him to be a 10-15 offer kid by the end of the spring,” he said. “And after his junior year, he should be in the neighborhood of 30-plus offers.”
Carter made 100 tackles for the Knights, including nine for loss and four sacks. He hurried the quarterback 19 times. On average, the rising junior made a play on the quarterback twice per game.
As for Williams, he played an important role for Thomas Dale after transferring from Dinwiddie. Liberty is his third Division I offer, joining Army (West Point) and Kent State in Ohio.
“Jasiah is … one of the hardest working kids that we’ve ever had play for us,” Tucker said. “He’s very coachable, a quarterback on both sides of the field, leading his team.”
Williams completed 14 of 27 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown, ran for 185 yards and two touchdowns, and caught five passes for 64 yards. Defensively, he made 35 tackles and defended six passes. He played in five games in 2018, and will be a senior next season.
Saunders, who plays both wideout and cornerback for Thomas Dale, is typically more sought after for his defensive skills. Liberty is the second college to extend an offer to him, following Old Dominion.
“Crishaun has really come a long way since his freshman year, and has been able to put on weight to get his body in the best physical shape it’s ever been in,” explained Tucker. “He’s one of the most athletic kids I’ve coached, and colleges are starting to take notice quickly.”
Saunders racked up 65 tackles for Thomas Dale and defended 14 passes.
In other news, Adam Hall, the team’s top linebacker and leading tackler, has made his college decision. He’ll suit up for Virginia State.
“Hall was one of three seniors who starred for us this year…” Tucker said. “He’s worked extremely hard for the four years while he’s been with us to get the opportunity.”
Hall made an eye-popping 160 tackles, including nine for loss. He hurried the quarterback 11 times and forced and recovered two fumbles. He also ran for 205 yards and a touchdown.
Academically, Hall was just as impressive, sporting a 3.8 grade point average.
