Spiders’ seniors went from solid class to remarkable one

RICHMOND, Va. -- Spiders QB Eric Ward arrived as a member of the 2005 recruiting class. Fifteen individuals from of that class now start for UR. As Jeff Hanson recalls, it was considered a solid class on signing day, not a remarkable one. Hanson has been a University of Richmond assistant football coach for 28 years, so he's not short on perspective. The group the Spiders signed in February of 2005 was the first brought to UR by head coach Dave Clawson.

It turned out to be one of the most successful classes in Richmond football history.

They are now fifth-year seniors who will play their final regular-season home game today against William and Mary. Fifteen start. Many were regulars on the Spiders' FCS playoff team of 2007 (reached the semifinals). Most started on last season's national championship team. This year, the Spiders spent nine weeks at No. 1, extended the school-record winning streak to 17 games and will be involved in postseason again.

Teams including this outgoing class have gone 39-12.

"It's going to be pretty emotional. Guys before us, the seniors before this year, were telling us it was going to come quickly. You kind of always shrugged that off. You'd be like 'Yeah, yeah,'" said quarterback Eric Ward, a four-year starter and fifth-year senior.

"I'm going to miss it, so hopefully, we can do what it takes to extend this season."

According to second-year Spiders' coach Mike London, recruiters have done well if half or three-quarters of signed players eventually develop into starters. Just about every player in UR's class of 2005 became a starter as a sophomore or junior. Josh Vaughan, the standout running back last year, was a member of the class, but he didn't redshirt. So was Levi Brown, who lost a QB competition with Ward. Brown left UR, starts at Troy, and is viewed as an NFL prospect.

Years ago, Clawson identified 2009 as the season he thought the Spiders could challenge for a national championship because of the projected contributions of these fifth-year seniors, who would be supported by a strong class that arrived the following year. Today, Richmond will start all fifth-year seniors and fourth-year juniors, an immeasurable benefit.

"Each guy can talk to the next man and tell him to step his game up without discouraging him. It's more like constructive criticism," said UR linebacker Eric McBride, a fourth-year junior. "We've been around each other so long, we all kind of understand each other and believe in each other, and we've got faith that each person can do their job well enough, and that will help us win the game."

London said experienced players can relax and still execute, play fast, and still be under control. That's what this fifth-year class has given UR. Wednesday, Hanson examined the list of signees from 2005. Each developed. Each has been a significant part of Richmond's success. Hanson pointed to one name.

"To me, Ward is the one," said Hanson. "If you've got a quarterback, you've got a chance."