Zayvion Stanley Commits To University of New Haven's Football Program

Mark Willett recalls a cold, windy day in late January of 2021 when he was driving to the high school to watch his daughter play in a basketball game. When he arrived at the school and prepared to walk into the building, he noticed someone down on the football field by themselves working out. It was star lineman Zayvion Stanley.

“It was freezing outside and Zayvion was down on the football field working on his footwork and hitting the blocking dummy,” Willett said. “It was 10 degrees and the wind had to have been blowing over 30 miles per hour. I walk down there and I’m like ‘Zayvion what the hell are you doing’ and he replies ‘I’m trying to make myself the best player I can be for my teammates.’ I kid you not, that is what he told me. If every kid we had was like him, we would be undefeated every year.”

“Zayvion is a very positive kid. He isn’t a big star who gets all the press and he doesn’t promote himself. Bill Belichick would love this kid. He is the kind of kid who will do right thing when no one is looking. He never got on somebody, never missed a weight room day, he gets great grades, just an awesome kid. He is easily one of my favorite players I have ever coached in 8 or 9 years.”

Stanley officially committed on Wednesday to the University of New Haven’s Div. II Football Program, where he will begin playing next fall. He will also be studying mechanical engineering while in college.

The senior lineman/linebacker has been one of the unsung heroes for the Whaler Football team these past couple of seasons. His work in the trenches as an offensive lineman helped pave the way for players to break off big runs and his work as a defensive lineman played a vital role in the team’s defensive success while helping to shape the identity of Nantucket’s defense as a tough, physical unit.
"I was very excited about hearing from the college accepting me,” Stanley said. “From the whole process, I kept on checking on their website to see the results. Sooner than later I learned that they accepted me. I am also thrilled to continue my football career with an awesome program, players, and coaches.“

Willett said that Stanley, who is 6’2, 215 pounds, has the ability to transition to linebacker at the next level because of his intelligence, processing speed, athletic ability, and strength.

“We actually played him at middle linebacker a bit towards the end of the season and he did an awesome job,” Willett said. “We were sitting there saying did we make a mistake not putting him there sooner. He may be a defensive lineman, but he is really fast. We even thought he could have been a really good fullback with his strength and speed. If there was another player who could block as good as him up front, he would have been a great fullback too.”
The Chargers have a prestigious Div. II program, finishing last season with a 10-2 record and making it to the second round of the Div. II Football Championship in November. The Chargers won their first Northeast-10 conference championship since 2012 this fall, and have clinched two NCAA playoff berths in the past three years.
“Seeing how successful their season has been, I hope to help continue that for them,” Stanley said. “I want to thank my mother because she was with me every step of the way. She was really the one that showed me the school and program."
The program took a five-year hiatus from 2004-2008, but since returning in 2009, the Chargers have been a powerhouse in the NE10 and Div. II, compiling a record of 94-38 in 12 seasons.

Willett said while Stanley will be joining a very competitive and talented program, he has a lot of confidence in Stanley to accomplish his goals.

“Everything he does is 100 percent. No one will ever outwork him at any level,” Willett said. “No matter whether he is a starter quickly or working through his freshman and sophomore year to get to that point, he will never stop working. He is the complete package. I don’t think he has ever said anything to a coach other than yes coach. I tried to help him by sending clips to different schools, going over stuff with him, talking to coaches, and every time I see him he hugs me and thanks me even though he doesn’t need to do that. I’ve never met a kid who worked as hard as him. He is just a quiet leader who leads by his actions, not his mouth.”