PALM BEACH GARDENS – Benjamin has a great defensive tackle in D’Andre LaVassaur.
The 2024 standout registered the following statistics in his junior season:
•26 pancakes – offensive line
•11 tackles for loss – defensive tackle
•2 sacks – defensive tackle
•7 quarterback hurries
•1 pass deflection
LaVassaur best individual game happened in Week 1 against John Carroll. Here are his statistics from that one:
•6 pancakes – offensive line
•2 tackles for loss – defensive tackle
PHOTO CREDITS: Top Shot Files
LaVassaur spoke on how his junior season went at Benjamin.
“I preformed well last season playing both sides of the ball,” the two-way lineman said. “And looking back on it now, I could’ve been way more dominant. I’ve been studying film and critiquing myself on what I need to fix.”
LaVassaur transferred to Benjamin from Palm Beach Lakes during the 2022 offseason. He spoke on how the process went from start to finish.
“The transition from Lakes to Benjamin was bumpy at first,” the 6-foot-1, 275-pound lineman said. “At Lakes, we never worked out like I have at Benjamin. The work in the classroom and the work load wasn’t the same as Benjamin’s. And at Benjamin, there are resources everywhere to get you better in the classroom and the field. Yeah, I had a lot of friends at Lakes. But I have to do what’s best for me and my future.”
LaVassaur credited Buccaneers head coach Eric Kresser for helping him progress over the past year.
“Coach Kresser is a great guy,” he said. “He’s going to tell you straight up and not sugarcoat. And to him and the whole staff, they are amazing. Everyone is all about getting us to the next level and making our bodies ready for the next level.”
LaVassaur did not stop there.
PHOTO CREDITS: Top Shot Files
“I have an amazing D-line coach in Coach [Resean] Bowens,” he said. “When I first came in, he took me in and treated me like family. He went over stunts and what I knew about D-line. I knew majority of what he was saying, so there was a great first impression. And from there, me and Coach Bowens’ relationship excelled. He teaches me so much about the game and how to perfect my craft.”
LaVassaur went even further.
“Coach Trent, the O-line coach, took me in and is all about getting better and forming you into the best version that you can be,” he said. “He works us in the weight room every day and outside. He and the whole Benjamin staff have been great. And as a whole, all of them have made me a better man.”
As a result of his junior season success, the Benjamin lineman has earned the following college scholarship offers – in alphabetical order:
•Austin Peay
•Bethune-Cookman
•Charlotte
•Dartmouth
•Florida Memorial
•Murray State
•St. Thomas
•Wright State
LaVassaur on his college recruiting status at this time:
“I don’t have a favorite as of right now,” he said. “But Dartmouth has stuck out the most. They show a lot of love.”
LaVassaur spoke at length about Dartmouth.
“I went up to Dartmouth to camp and get a feel for the coaching staff,” he said “As soon as I walked in, everyone knew me, greeted me well and made sure I was okay by letting me know if I needed anything, they got me. After the camp, they drove me and my family to the sports building to talk about recruitment and meet the interim head coach in his office. Great experience overall. I love how when they say “Go Ivy, then go anywhere” because it’s 100 percent true. If you put in the work in an Ivy school, you get the benefits when it comes time for you to graduate.”
LaVassaur on what he is looking for in a college:
“I want to be at a college where they’re going to make me better as a man and in the game of football,” he said. “I also want to win, and I want to be on a team where the chemistry is good and it’s a family. I wanna make sure the college is in a safe environment that I’m comfortable being in for 3-4 years.”
Will Dartmouth be that college destination of LaVassaur’s choice?
We will find out in the near future.
Let us go into LaVassaur’s senior season aspirations at Benjamin, which will give us a good idea of what he wants.
LaVassaur’s individual goals:
•Commit before the season is over
•Get nationally ranked
•Become the sack leader in Florida
•Get over 15 offers
LaVassaur’s team goals:
PHOTO CREDITS: Top Shot Files
•Win district – Beat Cardinal Newman in Week 9 to become the District 5-1M champion
•Go far in playoffs – Advance at least past the Class 1M-Region 3 semifinal round
PLEASE NOTE: LaVassaur is currently our No. 2-ranked defensive tackle and No. 20 overall player in the Class of 2024.
We at New Era Prep wish LaVassaur the very best in all of his current and future endeavors.
ALL PHOTO CREDITS: Top Shot Files
