WORCESTER — Former Holy Cross star and now New York Giants edge rusher Benton Whitley visited his old team earlier this summer, and his advice and encouragement particularly struck HC’s young defensive linemen.
“He was awesome,” sophomore Will Robinson said during HC’s media day at Fitton Field on Wednesday. “He shared a lot of wisdom. It was a cool opportunity for us.”
Whitley told the Crusaders about his experiences at Holy Cross, the hard work and dedication it took to get an opportunity in the NFL, and he offered advice for the upcoming season.
“He said to play fast and have fun,” sophomore Brice Stevenson said. “A lot of the stuff we do is mental preparation, but sometimes we go out there and forget to have fun, so (Whitley said), ‘just play football.’ ”
Stevenson, who started seven games as a freshman, Robinson, who played in all 11 games as a reserve last season, and classmate Jovan George, who appeared in nine games in 2023, stood out to first-year Holy Cross coach Dan Curran during spring ball, and the defensive line trio has continued to impress during training camp as the Crusaders prepare for their Aug. 31 opener at the University of Rhode Island.
“You can see their confidence continuing to grow throughout the course of the year,” Curran said. “They are embracing being a big part of what we’re doing. The reps they got last year were invaluable. They are very consistent. We’re expecting big things from those three and everyone up front.”
Also returning for HC on the defensive line is junior Christian Ross, who started every game last year and finished with 24 tackles and a sack.
The 6-foot-2, 298-pound Stevenson earned a starting job out of camp last season. He played in every game, with seven starts at defensive tackle, and totaled 17 tackles.
“It was good getting my feet under me and getting the speed of the game down,” said Stevenson, who will move around the line this year. “Just getting that game experience was big my first year, so this year, you’re going in not thinking, just going out there and playing.”
Stevenson is one of four returning players who made starts on defense last year as freshmen.
The 6-5, 275-pound Robinson made 27 tackles and had 4½ sacks last season and earned 2023 FCS Football Central Freshman All-America honors. He is an All-Patriot League preseason selection.
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“(Stevenson and Robinson) are outstanding athletes, defensive linemen and people,” HC assistant defensive line coach Mike Pucko said. “They are really smart young men overall. They want to get better every day. Every drill we do is 100%. They know what their potential is on and off the field, and they work to a whole different level. They are special kids.”
Stevenson and Robinson are best friends.
“Everyone in the D-line room is really tight,” Stevenson said. “Will and are young, but we’re going to be leading the D-line, helping out and making plays.”
George, 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, recorded three tackles in last year’s win over Colgate and a quarterback hurry in the Georgetown game.
“For the three of us,” Robinson said, “it’s just the daily process of trying to get better every day, a one percent improvement each day over the course of the summer, and not being satisfied. This is a new stage of Holy Cross football, and we have to prove ourselves.”
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Whitley, who was an All-Patriot League performer at Holy Cross, originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Rams in 2022, and also spent time with the Chiefs and Vikings before signing with the Giants last November. He is one of six former Holy Cross stars currently in NFL camps, along with C.J. Hanson (Chiefs), Kalif Raymond (Lions), Jalen Coker (Panthers), Liam Anderson (Colts) and Ayir Asante (Giants).
“It’s a goal to get there,” Stevenson said. “It’s achievable, and when you see (all the HC players in the NFL), anything is possible from here.”
—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JenTolandTG.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 'Play fast, ... have fun': Holy Cross defensive lineman Will Robinson, Brice Stevenson heed advice from former Crusader
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