Gaithersburg High School senior Zack Fetters has verbally committed to play college football at the College of William & Mary and plans to make the pledge official on the Feb. 2 National Signing Day.

After making an official visit to William and Mary this weekend, Fetters chose the Williamsburg, VA school over James Madison University.

“The academics played into it a lot,” said Fetters, who carries a weighted 4.2 grade point average. “There’s no comparison with William and Mary. Academics were a big factor.”

Fetters, who took an official visit to James Madison earlier this month, committed to William and Mary on Sunday morning before heading back home to Gaithersburg.

The three-year starter also had offers from Columbia, Bryant and Monmouth.

William and Mary is a Division I-AA football program that competes in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Tribe finished 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the conference last year. The program is headed by William and Mary graduate Jimmye Laycock who has compiled over 200 victories in a coaching career that has spanned over three decades at his alma mater.

William and Mary has produced numerous individuals who have gone on to successful playing and coaching careers in the National Football League including Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin who was a three-year starter at wide receiver before graduating in 1995.

“Coach Laycock and I talked about him,” said Fetters. “He was always a fiery guy [as a player at William and Mary]. The alumni always come back. There’s probably a good chance I’ll get to meet him eventually.”

Fetters, who was the consensus Montgomery County Player of the Year for his all-around performance, led Gaithersburg to an 11-2 record last season as the Trojans captured both the region and division title.

Fetters emerged as one of the State’s top quarterbacks last season, passing for over 2,100 yards and 28 touchdowns. He was also the Trojans’ leading rusher, amassing 674 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. As a defensive back, Fetters registered 10 interceptions from his safety position including one in which he returned for a touchdown.

“He’s phenomenal,” Gaithersburg head coach Kreg Kephart said about Fetters. “He can do so many things. He’s a great safety. He’s a great quarterback and he’s a tough runner. He’s got the will of a champion and a warrior and he will will you to victory if it’s at all possible.”

Fetters said he was recruited to William & Mary as a “pure athlete” but will get an opportunity to choose what position he wants to play in college.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” he said. “I have an opportunity to play with a lot of great guys. They’re hardworking people and I really love that about them.”