Nick Marshall Recruiting Update

by T Kyle King on Apr 23, 2010 7:20 AM EDT

The other day, I mentioned the recruitment of Nick Marshall. As I believe everyone is aware, I am particularly interested in the Wilcox County quarterback because I have family ties to the area. My great-great-grandfather, Isom Nathaniel Underwood Cook, returned home from the War and wished to get away from reminders of the conflict that saw him confined to a prisoner of war camp in Point Lookout, Maryland; being from Andersonville, he found this difficult to do in his native land, so he moved to the vicinity of Abbeville, and I have had family in Wilcox County ever since.

Marshall, the top quarterback prospect in the state for 2011, reportedly also has offers from Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee. He received his offer from Georgia last December, and I received an e-mail during basketball season from someone who said he saw a couple of Alabama assistant coaches at a Patriot basketball game. (Marshall averaged almost 30 points per game as a junior, and he recently was named the roundball player of the year by the Macon Telegraph.)

His two-sport talent has generated interest from other suitors, as well. Joker Phillips and John Calipari both covet Marshall, and Kentucky is making a push to secure his services in football and basketball. Alfred Rawls, who played his high school football at Wilcox County and his college football at Kentucky, still lives in Lexington but attends Patriot sporting events when he comes home to visit family, so the Wildcats may have more of an inroad than you think.

The dismissal of Zach Mettenberger makes it even more critical, and even more likely, for the Bulldogs to land an elite quarterback. I'm holding out hope that the QB of the future in Athens is Nick Marshall.

Go 'Dawgs!

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Ok, so correct me where I'm wrong

I thought Aaron Murray was and elite quarterback. That being said, how likely is it to land two elite quarterbacks and give them both the playing time they feel they deserve?

I know NOTHING about Nick Marshall. (Thrown in to qualify my comments)

by EricBDawg on Apr 28, 2010 9:27 PM EDT reply actions

he could be redshirted, that would give two years of seperation, and play as an upperclassman

there is never a perfect answer in the QB arena.

"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker

by tankertoad on Apr 29, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Right

Remember how things were done by Florida State (where Mark Richt served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach) during the Seminoles’ heyday: guys would ride the pine and do mop-up duty for two years, then become two-year starters as juniors and seniors. It’s no coincidence that, as soon as that pattern began to break down, FSU went into decline. That’s not the only reason for their drop-off, obviously, but it is one reason.

Go 'Dawgs!

by T Kyle King on Apr 29, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

The pattern broke down...

when a 35 year old freshman took over in Weinke. That was followed by Richt coming here, Jeff Bowden taking his job, and Chris Rix replacing Weinke. While I like the pattern of bringing in players who sit for 2-3 years and learn before taking the reigns at QB, we’ve not done a good job of having that pattern here, with DJ and Greene fighting it out for 3 years until DJ gets his single season, followed by a cluster ending with a true freshman (Staff) beating out the underperforming vets (Barnes, Tereshinski, Cox), supplanted by a 5th year in Cox, who again has to be replaced by a freshman thanks to underperforming upperclassman such as Grey.

Now, if we land Marshall or Lemay (or both), they can redshirt, and have those junior and senior years with the job after Murray is done. But then, that requires panning out as a legit starting caliber QB, which others like Barnes and Grey have been unable to accomplish.

by Mr. Sanchez on Apr 29, 2010 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

there is never a perfect answer. But I will say starting a true freshman at QB is the one thing we can definately not ever do.

And maybe after a red shirt Marshall out performances Murray – thems the breaks.

"One thing I will never do as long as I’m at Georgia is lose to Florida." - Herschel Walker

by tankertoad on Apr 29, 2010 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Ok, I understand about the riding the pine and all that but, what about the kid?

Somebody give me some real stats on this kid. Have you seen him play? Who is he most like? Can he handle pressure situations? Does the see the field well? Does he seem to have the makeup of a great SEC QB? Give me the intangibles, not just 12-13 for 648 yards, or whatever.

by EricBDawg on May 1, 2010 5:01 PM EDT reply actions

I've seen him play...

…. several times including the state championship game. Great arm, very elusive, and cool under pressure.

Also, averaged over 29 a game on the BB court.

Surrounded by some very good talent at Wilcox, but is far and away the exceptional guy on the field/court.

It's a gas, gas, gas.

by Keith Richards on May 4, 2010 9:27 AM EDT reply actions

I've seen him play

My kids go to Wesleyan, which Wilcox County defeated in the state quarterfinals this past season. He seems much bigger on the field than 6’2"/6’3", but that might just be a reflection of the size of the kids in the Single A classification. He is a dual threat QB who is extremely quick and elusive. He can slip tacklers and turn would-be sacks into large gains. His arm strength looked adequate as he threw several long balls. The kid is undoubtedly an incredible athlete. The only question mark is how much of it is the talent level of single A? Maybe it wouldn’t matter ala Herschel, but it’s something to consider.

The basketball team was able to avenge the football loss by defeating Wilcox County in the State Semifinal game. Marshall was held to “only” 18 of Wilcox’s 51 points.

by skigator93 on May 4, 2010 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

Reply to skigator93

Congrats on the BB state shampionship. Fine well-coached team that completely took Wilcox out of its normal (fast break) game. Good comments.

It's a gas, gas, gas.

by Keith Richards on May 5, 2010 9:13 AM EDT reply actions

That Wesleyan basketball team was really good this season.

I tend to discount the single A competition aspect because kids come out of that classification and make an impact in the SEC every year. Washaun Ealey is one example. Justin Williams at Florida made less of an immediate impact but has been a solid backup. And Bacarri Rambo seems to be doing well.

While we’re making use of your scouting abilities, do you know anything about Wesleyan offensive lineman David Andrews, who is committed to Georgia for 2011?

by MaconDawg on May 5, 2010 9:24 AM EDT reply actions