Safety leads Dukes one more time
Tony Lezotte named to preseason All-CAA team
Posted on August 30, 2007
One National Championship, three First Team All-Conference selections, three time All-American by the Associated Press, 2005 league Defensive Player of the Year, 2004 Co-Rookie of the Year, and 321 career tackles.
JMU senior safety Tony LeZotte’s numbers speak volumes for what he has meant to coach Mickey Matthews’ football program. Don’t think for a second that this accomplished face of the defense is complacent with his career going into his last season.
“The one thing about Tony is he still wants to get better, so he definitely doesn’t think he’s reached the top of where he sees himself getting to,” said first year defensive backs coach, Joe Danna.
LeZotte has been looking to improve his game since arriving in Harrisonburg in 2003 and redshirtingas a freshman. The Augusta, Ga. native, found JMU to be a perfect fit after watching his older brother Matt serve asthe Dukes starting quarterback from 2001-03, before joining him to share in the 2004 National Championship.
When asked about his brother and if he was worried about being in Matt’s shadow, Tony simply said no and humbly deflected the attention to the elder LeZotte.
“He had a great career here and he did some great things on the field and off the field,” Tony said in a slight southern-drawl. “And I don’t really look at it as having to live up to what he’s done.”
Although not wanting to be continually compared to his brother, Tony admits that it is Matt who had the greatest impact on his game and the way he prepares.
“Growing up I really respected my brother and the way he did things,” Tony said. “He would always come home during the summers and work with me when I was in high school. The way he handled himself, I think influenced me the most.”
Going into his third year as a captain and fourth year as a starter, the 6-foot, 200-pounder hasn’t missed one start in his 38 games. The streak and his work ethic has helped him to fight through nagging leg injuries and despite a tight, right calf muscle and hamstring LeZotte has no plans for sitting out the first game of the season against North Carolina.
“I’ll play, I’m playin’ at UNC, yeah I know I’m definite, I’m playin’,” LeZotte said emphatically.
It’s that kind of fortitude that has also gained the respects of his teammates and has allowed him to be an effective leader even in the eyes of offensive players like junior quarterback Rodney Landers.
“Tony is just an incredible competitor, he always brings it. Whenever he’s out there on the field I see him teaching the younger guys and he’s always making plays,” Landers said. “Just his overall knowledge of the game has helped me a lot. He’s just exceptional at his position.”
LeZotte isn’t overlooking his senior year at all, but has expressed professional aspirations and is hoping his former teammates in the National Football League can continue to boost the reputation of James Madison football.
“I’m gonna play until someone tells me I’m not good enough. Obviously it can happen at anytime, but I’m gonna play the season out and then go from there,” LeZotte said. “There’s gonna be scouts out here. This program has come so far.”
LeZotte is looking to guide the program even further this year with another shot at a title.