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COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Former Episcopal Academy Star RB DeeWil Barlee Taking His Captaincy Seriously at Villanova

By Marc Narducci Photos: Ryan Nix, 08/17/22, 10:15AM EDT

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Photos/Videos: Ryan Nix & Marc Narducci

By: Marc Narducci

VILLANOVA, PA – All throughout the practice DeeWil Barlee couldn’t stop talking. He could be seen offering advice, giving constant pep talks and basically making sure his teammates were putting everything into the Villanova practice that he was.

In other words, he was taking his duties as a newly elected captain very seriously.

Captains are made of all sizes and shapes.


Former Episcopal Academy RB DeWill Barlee has been named one of Villanova's 2022 captains - PSD Photo by Ryan Nix

Barlee may be of the small variety, but that only pertains to his height. Everything about him is much bigger, beginning with his personality.

The road to his captaincy wasn’t paved in the conventional way for the 5-foot-8, 205-pound senior with junior’s eligibility.

That’s because Barlee wasn’t a starter last year, although he was a significant contributor on a 10-3 Villanova team that won the Colonial Athletic Association title and is picked to do the same this year, in addition to cracking several national preseason Top 10 lists.

An Episcopal Academy graduate, Barlee rushed for 414 yards on 100 carries (4.1 avg.). On a team that liked to spread its carries out, he was among four players with more than 300 rushing yards.

It has been a solid career in which he has rushed for 1,221 yards and six touchdowns. Yet the statistics didn’t have as much do to with why he was recently elected one of four captains by his teammates, as his leadership.

“He doesn’t have the crazy stats and is not an All-American or anything like that, however the team still feels he is a good leader and has those qualities and that is a good thing,” said Villanova coach Mark Ferrante after a recent morning practice as the Wildcats prepare for their Sept. 2 home opener against Lehigh.

Intangibles such as leadership never appear on the stat sheet, yet Barlee has backed his running prowess with an ability to connect with his teammates.

Villanova had an extensive way in selecting its captains. Those who wanted to be captains had to apply and then they got in front of the team and made their pitch as to why they would be a good choice. After that there was a vote by the players.

Needless to say, Barlee must have made a pretty convincing sales pitch.

“I am really proud of what he has done and happy for him to earn the captaincy,” Ferrante said.

Marc Narducci joins Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante and Senior RB DeeWil Barlee, who addresses his new leadership role, at training camp:

Imagine how Barlee feels.

“It’s a complete honor to be able to represent Villanova University as well as my fellow teammates,” Barlee said. “I don’t take that lightly.”

Nor should he. With a penchant for being a leader that was also displayed at Episcopal Academy, Barlee always saw himself in this current role.

“It’s something I always aspired to be,” he said. “Having the (prior) type of leadership we had is something I looked forward to.”

He then talked about following in the footsteps of recent Villanova captains and keeping the tradition of high-level leadership. Last year’s captains were all graduate students – running back Justin Covington, defensive lineman Malik Fisher and linebacker Forrest Rhyne.

Covington rushed for a team-high 739 yards and scored six rushing touchdowns. Fisher had 49 tackles, nine tackles for loss and four sacks. Rhyne added 152 tackles, was a consensus All-American and the CAA defensive Player of the Year. That trio backed up the statistics with solid leadership that helped the Wildcats advance to the FCS quarterfinals before suffering a season-ending 35-21 loss to South Dakota State.

“Justin, Malik and Forrest Rhyne, they were huge leaders to me and I hope to be half of that to this team,” Barlee said.

With Covington departed, there will be extra carries available in the Villanova backfield. Graduate student Jalen Jackson (598 yards, 6.1 avg., 7 TDs) is the leading returning rusher. Senior TD Ayo-Durojaiye, a third-team all-CAA choice on special teams, had just 21 carries, but he looks to get increased work as well.

Plus there are several promising freshman running backs, such as Eli Smith from Houston, Texas, Julian Glantz of Scarsdale, NY, and Isaiah Wright, a former Inter-Ac star at Malvern Prep.

It doesn’t matter that the competition for carries is enormous. Barlee has been mentoring the young players and offering plenty of advice to the veterans as well.

“He is always looking to help whoever it is that needs the help, whether it be an offensive guy or somebody on defense,” Ferrante said of Barlee. “He really does a good job of taking the younger guys in his position under his wing.”


Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante addresses the Wildcats at training camp - PSD Photo by Ryan Nix

The young guys are impressive, but there is so much to learn. Some older players, wary about losing playing time, may not be so accommodating, but Barlee, and also Jackson and Ay-Durojaiye have welcomed the newcomers with open arms.

“We are trying to take them under our wing, show them our ways and teach them what Villanova football is all about,” Barlee said.

“We are trying to take them under our wing, show them our ways and teach them what Villanova football is all about,” Barlee said.

One person Barlee has struck up an immediate relationship with is Wright, who led Malvern Prep to yet another Inter-Ac title last year.

Of course, while being a mentor, it hasn’t stopped Barlee from giving Wright the business for not attending Episcopal Academy.

“At the end of the day he did go to Malvern, I did go to EA, so I can’t say I’m a huge fan of where he is coming from,” Barlee said with a big laugh, “but I am a fan of him now.”

One last thing – for all his leadership ability, a main reason Barlee is also a captain is he can flat-out play. During his career he has averaged an impressive 4.8 yards per carry.

“He’s probably the most well-rounded runner we have as far as doing both (running and receiving),” Ferrante said.

And even though there should be more than the 100 carries he had last year, Barlee doesn’t get wide-eyed at potentially enjoying a better statistical season.

“My role is whatever coach Boden on the offensive side decides it should be,” he said, referring to offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Chris Boden. “I am not going to say that I want 200 carries or 50 receptions. I will sit here and say whatever the team needs me to do to put us in a position to win, that is what I will do.”

Spoken like a true captain.