
WILLIAMSBURG — After excelling on the field, in the classroom and in the community, William & Mary football standouts Zyquan Bessant and Lachlan Pitts were selected to the 2022 FCS Athletics Directors Association (ADA) Academic All-Star Team.
The duo was among a group of just 53 individuals chosen from an impressive collection of nearly 100 exceptional candidates considered from around the nation.
A two-time team captain, Bessant was a standout contributor on W&M’s defensive line and totaled 22 career starts. After beginning his collegiate career as a walk-on, Bessant earned a scholarship for his exceptional play and posted 76 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 4.0 sacks and two passes defended during his time in Williamsburg.
Also an outstanding student, the Norfolk, Va., native earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is expected to graduate with an MBA in May. He garnered CAA Commissioner’s Honor Roll distinction seven times and was a Dean’s List recipient on multiple occasions.
In addition to being elected to the team’s leadership council, he held a supervisory role at the University Recreation Center on campus.
One of the nation’s top tight ends, Pitts, a team captain, earned second-team all-conference honors this season after ranking 14th nationally with 19.4 yards per catch. Additionally, he led the team in receiving yards (543) and touchdown catches (five), while he ranked second in receptions (28). His five touchdown catches are the most by a W&M tight end since 2007.
The Great Falls, Va., native earned his bachelor’s degree in public policy and will graduate with an MBA in January. En route to earning both his degrees, he garnered CAA Commissioner’s Honor Roll distinction multiple times.
Very active in the community, Pitts interned with the Grove Christian Outreach Center Food Bank and Best Buddies. Additionally, he interned with Navigators Global LLC and served as a member of the football team’s leadership council.
Bessant and Pitts were instrumental in W&M’s success this season, as the team equaled a school record for wins (11) and posted program records for regular season victories (10) and road triumphs (6). Additionally, the Tribe secured a share of the CAA title, earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Playoffs and advanced to the quarterfinals.