Sep 3, 2015 3 min read

Willie Leavell is considered a gamebreaker, a player who can score from anywhere on the football field, no matter if he’s playing wide receiver, running back or returning kicks.

Good things have happened for Waynesburg University when Leavell, a senior multi-position player, gets his hands on the football.

So it is somewhat ironic that Leavell’s first major contribution to the Yellow Jackets came three years ago, as a freshman, and he didn’t even use his hands on a special teams play that wasn’t designed for him to be the returner.

Ever since Leavell blocked a fourth-quarter punt by catching the football in his armpit while in full stride and returning it for a game-winning touchdown to give Waynesburg a stunning victory over nationally ranked Thomas More, Yellow Jackets fans haven’t been able to get enough of the speedy Leavell.

This year, Leavell (5-9, 165) might have a bigger role than ever in the Waynesburg offensive.

With Waynesburg hit hard in the offseason at the offensive skill positions with the graduation of quarterback Carter Hill, running back Jake Forsythe, wide receivers Bernie Thompson and Andrew English and tight end Zac Capan, the Yellow Jackets are a team in transition. So it might be wise for a young Waynesburg offense to get the ball to Leavell as often as possible, beginning Saturday in the season opener at Muskingum.

“Willie might take on more receiving responsibilities this year,” Waynesburg head coach Rick Shepas said. “Willie is a playmaker, so you have to use him in key spots.”

Leavell, who was a running back in high school at East Liverpool (Ohio) High School, played in the backfield as a freshman, with his biggest contribution coming on special teams against Thomas More. As a sophomore and junior, Leavell split time between running back and wide receiver, and also returned kickoffs. Nine of his 46 career receptions have gone for touchdowns, including a 91-yarder last year at Grove City. He also averaged six yards per carry last season on 49 attempts and returned a kickoff for a score for the second year in a row.

Shepas, however, is wary of is lone proven gamebreaker taking too much punishment as a running back.

“With Willie, we want to manage his body as best we can,” he said.

So that might mean more pass receptions than carries for Leavell.

“I think I’ll have the same role as last year: in the kick return game, in the slot on offense and some running back. It will probably be more slot,” Leavell said. “I might get eight to 10 carries a game. We have to be more productive running the ball.”

Leavell said he is confident Waynesburg has capable players, such as running back Jerry Lawman and wide receiver Tim Cooper, to ease the impact of the many losses on offense. Leavell added that he feels more pressure to back a big play on special teams rather than offense.

“On special teams, I want to make a game-changing play and alter field position. We put a big emphasis on special teams,” Leavell said. “We have guy who can step in and hit the ground running on offense.”

Muskingum returns 22 starters from a 3-7 team. The Muskies won their final two games of the 2014 season. … Waynesburg defeated Muskingum 33-0 in the season opener last year. … Waynesburg has not released a depth chart for the game. … Shepas has a 64-40 career record and is one victory behind Frank Wolf (1921-22 and 1928-41) for first place on Waynesburg’s all-time coaching wins list.