Hello: Zack Marshall
We're circling back on the guys who committed during football season. Marshall jumped in way back on August 13th, but that's when we went into preseason mode. It was also a few months after the commitment of fellow TE Deakon Tonielli, and the decommitment of TE Andrew Rappleyea a few months before that.
Marshall was a guy Matt Weiss discovered while out in San Diego, and things moved quickly from there, with Marshall visiting for the barbecue, reporting an offer on July 31, and pledging shortly thereafter. He had a 1000+yard junior year as a receiver at lower-division Santa Fe Christian before switching to TE and moving up to local power Carlsbad, where he was just one of many targets of 5-star 2024 Alabama commit Julian Sayin.
GURU RATINGS
Rivals: 6'4/210 | ESPN: 6'4/215 | 247: 6'4/220 | On3: 6'4/220 | 247 Comp |
---|---|---|---|---|
3*, 5.7, NR Ovr #27 TE, #37 CA |
3*, 78, #103 West #23 TE-H, #63 CA |
3*, 87, NR Ovr #74 ATH, #97 CA |
3*, 89, NR Ovr #27 TE, #31 CA |
3*, 0.8811, #567 Ovr #35 ATH, #44 CA |
3.79 | 3.65 | 3.53 | 3.86 | 3.81 |
Last row is my conversion to five-star scales. Links are to profiles
Rivals recently moved Marshall up to a 5.7 and inside the top-40 in California. On3 has him on the cusp of 4 stars. The skeptics are 247, who has him ranked as an Athlete, and ESPN, who has him ranked as not going to the SEC. 247 hasn't really put a scout's eyes on him since before that junior season except when he was visiting Michigan for the MSU game, at which point Biggens noted Marshall's gotten way bigger. He might be a candidate for a re-rank but I doubt it.
[AFTER THE JUMP: Athletic athlete who athletes]
SCOUTING
Most of the talk is about his thousand-yard season and his 7v7 play, when his team (Team Makasi) reached the Elite 11 Finals last summer. Rivals' Adam Gorney called him a "physically-gifted but more athletic tight end who has speed and great hands." 24/7's Blair Angula caught Marshall at a camp last summer($) and got eyes
…looked very good at tight end. He’s a well rounded pass catcher who doesn’t fight the ball and does a nice job of setting up defenders to break free.
Angula's colleague Greg Biggens compared Marshall to when they saw him a year before:
…made a nice physical jump over the last year and continues to trend up in our rankings as well. We saw him recently at the Team Makasi Camp in San Diego and he earned MVP honors for all positions. He measured in at a solid 6-4, 218 pounds -- 25 pounds heavier than a year ago -- clocked a 4.69 40 (Zybec timing), 4.49 shuttle, and jumped 31 inches in the vertical. … A year ago, we thought he was a bit of a tweener, hybrid receiver/tight end but he now looks like he can definitely play tight end and be a downfield threat.
I should note they loved him back in spring 2021 as well, naming Marshall offensive MVP of the camp and "this year's Jayden Virgin":
A year ago, Virgin was an under the radar athlete who shined at this camp and went on to commit to Boise State in June. Marshall has a similar frame, athleticism and positional versatility as Virgin. He’s not as thick but probably a smoother athlete and he had a strong day catching the football. He could grow in to a hybrid h-back/tight end or even play outside ‘backer in college.
On3's Charles Power liked Marshall's receiver attributes while also commenting on his growth toward his future position.
….looks to be among the more refined pass catchers among 2023 tight ends. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder has spent much of his high school career to date split out as a wide receiver. Marshall is advanced with his route-running and ability to win of the line and create separation with change of direction. He’s coordinated and is a ball-winner in contested catch situations.
Power also noted that Marshall is young for his class, turning 17 in July. The Wolverine's Michigan reporter EJ Holland also weighed in before Marshall's senior season at Carlsbad:
… natural receiving skills. He will need time to develop in the strength and conditioning program, but his upside is sky high. … Right now, my evaluation of Marshall is incomplete. He checks a lot of boxes from an athletic profile standpoint as he moves well for his size and is a natural pass catcher. Marshall also has a nice frame with plenty of room to add weight. Still, he played extremely subpar competition and is a guy I would need to see live to give a full grade.
Rivals's new Michigan site, Maize & Blue Review, has Lucas Reimink doing full "Chalk Talk" scouting posts. His take on Marshall echo Holland's, listing Foot Speed, Ball Skills, and Route Running as strengths and In-Line Blocking, Physical Strength, and Contested Catches as weaknesses.
… very good athlete for the TE position. Marshall has good foot speed, good ball skills, good body control, solid agility, and marginal physical strength. .. will need to work on embracing all aspects of the TE position, most notably blocking. He doesn’t showcase the mentality nor the physicality you’d like to see from an all-around TE at the next level.
Marshall told an Arizona reporter he thinks he's plenty physical at the point of attack, and maybe too handsy in routes:
“I physically can dominate the point of attack in the run game despite being a somewhat undersized tight end. I can also line up outside and beat a corner with my route running. … I am still working on getting in and out of long developing routes and I have a tendency to be overly physical in my routes when I could keep hands off.
That perspective too came from before his move up to high California ball, so Marshall might be a bit further along now towards understanding what physicality means on the next level. Brice Marich talked to Marshall about where he fits:
…they see me as the move guy, the guy who can like up as a wing, in the backfield, as the second inline tight end in ace sets, and also win in open space on route matchups.”
Holland's assessment of Michigan's interest in Marshall is that they wanted to stop at Tonielli unless they were really enamored with another guy—and so. Lorenz adds that Michigan was "blown away"$ during their one-on-one workout. Whatever this program sees in tight ends they apparently saw it here.
OFFERS
Cal and Utah were the teams Marshall was considering before the Michigan thing happened. Arizona, WSU and Boise State were in the mix earlier. UCLA was always poking around in the periphery.
HIGH SCHOOL
As mentioned, Carlsbad is a mega-school (2400+ students) for the large northern San Diego suburb. This year Carlsbad won the Avocado League, which includes programs you might have heard of like Mission Hills, El Camino, La Costa Canyon (Erik Magnuson), and Torrey Pines (Hayden Epstein). These aren't national powers but they're each usually good for a solid 3-star or two per year. A guy like 2024 5* QB Julian Sayin is rare, but Carlsbad produced Washington's Asa Turner, Stanford's Jordan Perez, and a ton of guys who've played for Brady Hoke at SDSU, as well as plenty of baseball players. If you have a good memory for music history, back in 2001 the students of Carlsbad were treated to a surprise No Doubt concert as they were leaving school.
Santa Fe Christian is a private school in Solana Beach, about a half hour closer to San Diego proper. It's Kinda BS that they made him sit out for a quarter of his senior season after transferring since the family never moved, and Carlsbad was Marshall's home school in San Diego. This has been Seth hollers at state high school sport associations (don't get me started on MHSAA).
STATS
Marshall wracked up 1,012 yards on 44 catches and 9 TDs as a junior at Santa Fe Christian. After sitting out four games at Carlsbad for transfer rules he picked up 284 yards and 5 TDs on 23 catches and also threw a TD pass.
FAKE 40 TIME
247 claims a 4.69 in Zybec timing, which I am just going to assume means it comes from the Planet Zybec. That gets three FAKES out of five since exoplanets are a real thing. They also reported a 4.49 shuttle and 31-inch vertical. Marshall himself claims a 4.79 and 4.41 shuttle on his Hudl page.
VIDEO
This is from his first four games at Carlsbad:
Mirror Jake Butt v Northwestern:
“Look, ma, one hand!” Zack and @juliansayin2 were in sync last night. Don’t miss these full game highlights and ALL the best action around the county only on the PPR Utube channel. @RedJacketArmy @KUSISports @CbadAthletics @Cbad_Football pic.twitter.com/as4fY4QI32
— KUSI PPR Red Jackets (@RedJacketArmy) October 1, 2022
He made Rivals' top plays of the week in September for this TD catch:
🔥 TOP PLAYS 🔥
— Rivals (@Rivals) October 5, 2022
Check out this TD snag by Michigan commit Zack Marshall 👇@TheZackMarsh | @adamgorney | @MichiganRivals
More top plays --> https://t.co/z1aHNItlat pic.twitter.com/g78qamuHtb
…and flashed the M.
ETC
Enrolling early. 4.3 GPA. Plans to study law.
PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE
Michigan likes its athletes at tight end. I know I said this about Colston Loveland last year but you gotta believe me it's rare that these guys pop immediately. Marshall has the athleticism but not the contested ball skills that Loveland showed (against much weaker competition yes, but those were also triple-teams). "Not Colston Loveland" is fine.
So: expect a few years of blocking class and weight training, and then see what you've got. Marshall's not listed more that 6'4" anywhere so what they've probably got is a guy they're planning for Erick All's role that Max Bredeson was playing this season. He'll be much more All than Bredeson (who was a high school QB) as a receiver—there doesn't seem to be much fullback in his makeup. Since this program spits out tight ends like nobody's business, I'm gonna have to predict Marshall comes out the other end an effective kickout specialist with a solid role in the passing game, not a #1 mismatch receiver. All was just-a-receiver out of high school too, remember. Sean McKeon is another comp.
UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS
With two tight ends already they've been done at the position unless top-15 athlete Nyckoles Harbor wants in.
THE CLASS AS IT STANDS
OFFENSE | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Pos | Player | State | Stars | In a nutshell |
RB | Cole Cabana | MI | 4.3 | Speedy receiver back |
RB | Benjamin Hall | GA | 3.5 | Battering ram with vision |
SL | Semaj Morgan | MI | 3.8 | Homegrown Gattis-ian slot |
WR | Fredrick Moore | MO | 3.7 | Crafty, Roundtree 2.0 |
WR | Kendrick Bell | MO | 3.5 | Ronnie's little brother |
TE | Deakon Tonielli | IL | 3.9 | Catchy bouncy bballer |
TE | Zack Marshall | CA | 3.7 | 1,000-yard receiver in Cali league |
OG | Amir Herring | MI | 4.0 | West Bloomfield's interior mauler |
OG | Nathan Efobi | GA | 3.8 | Big teddy bear |
OT | Evan Link | DC | 4.1 | Agile OT with a Wisconsin offer |
OT | LaDarius Henderson | TX | 3.7 | |
DEFENSE | ||||
Pos | Player | State | Stars | In a nutshell |
DT | Brooks Bahr | IL | 3.7 | Lengthy grow-a-3-tech |
SDE | Enow Etta | TX | 4.4 | Poor man's Rashan Gary |
WDE | Aymeric Koumba | FRA | 3.7 | Long/French athletic freak |
OLB | Jason Hewlett | OH | 3.8 | Hybrid S/OLB/DE |
MLB | Semaj Bridgeman | PA | 4.1 | Formerly elite, WLBish |
MLB | Breeon Ishmail | OH | 3.5 | LB/Edge tweener |
CB | Cameron Calhoun | OH | 3.9 | Gritty not-fast playmaker |
PK | Adam Samaha | MI | 3.2 | Local #1 kicker |
December 13th, 2022 at 3:56 PM ^
Marshall is one those recruits where you read the scouting reports on him and watch his tape, then the ranking doesn't logically follow
December 13th, 2022 at 5:24 PM ^
Michigan recruits a lot of those guys. And then--curiously, inexplicably--a lot of them turn out to be good in maize and blue
December 13th, 2022 at 3:58 PM ^
It's time for some Marshall law!
(Yeh, yeh, I know the actual phrase is "martial" law." I may be stupid but I'm not an idiot.)
December 13th, 2022 at 5:29 PM ^
You’ll have to be patient, it’s going to take a couple years to see results from UM’s Marshall plan.
December 14th, 2022 at 8:54 AM ^
Probably means he's going to be in Marshall (LS) Arts for his undergrad
December 13th, 2022 at 3:59 PM ^
Fun fact: I coached Zach’s nephew in pop Warner this year. Great guy and excited to cheer for him !
December 13th, 2022 at 5:20 PM ^
Which pop warner my son was on Carlsbad 10u
December 13th, 2022 at 6:01 PM ^
La Costa 10U. Small world
December 13th, 2022 at 7:11 PM ^
That awesome! Probably see you next year! I met Zach Marshall at the Carlsbad parade nice young man very kind smiled broadly when I showed pics from the great snow The Game of 2021, told him to bring extra socks!
December 13th, 2022 at 4:21 PM ^
So nobody went to see a 5* Alabama commit QB play? Or they did and didn't scout the Michigan commit TE? It is rather odd there isn't more info from his senior season.
December 13th, 2022 at 4:36 PM ^
Maybe they went to watch the QB early in the season when the TE was sittting out due to transfer rules.
December 13th, 2022 at 5:04 PM ^
There are more sites today but fewer scouts than ever. Everyone can get film of these games now so they don't really send people out there except for recruiting reporters who are trying to get a read on where the kid is going, and get in good with the family. The most we usually get out of those trips is a quote from the kid about where Michigan wants to play him. Marshall is a developmental prospect who committed to Michigan over the summer and only then did he transfer to the big school, and USC did not really try, so there wasn't much reason to send even recruiting reporters out there. The guy going out to San Diego to do live scouting of a five-star quarterback, and might go down the road to a small private school to check out a tight end prospect, is Matt Weiss.
December 13th, 2022 at 5:12 PM ^
Yea was definitely hoping for more exposure for Marshall with the transfer to Sayin's school. Unfortunately it did not materialize, in part due to the transfer suspension.
From looking at Marshall's stats, it looks like he was a bit up and down (which is to be expected for a TE). Would've been nice to have a scout or reporter watch the full game to get an idea of how he can impact the game beyond the box score. I know EJ Holland considered the trip but couldn't pull it off with his schedule/budget.
December 14th, 2022 at 2:46 AM ^
Enough but it doesn't look like any scouts watched his tape from his senior year either. Anyone in here seen it?
December 13th, 2022 at 5:25 PM ^
For Harbaugh's first 5-6 seasons I would complain about taking 2 TEs per class as it's a disproportionately high number to take for a position of (what is for most teams) relatively low leverage and one that most teams only use one of at a time (if any).
I wanted speed in space (and also more DTs). And our offenses to that point had largely underacheived so the strategy wasn't proving to be a good one.
But the past two seasons changed that for me. Multiple TE sets are perhaps the moneyball approach in college football right now.
Hard to argue with the current results, so LFG!
(I do get nervous with only 7 defensive players to 11 offensive in the class - need to even that out a bit, I would think)
December 13th, 2022 at 6:18 PM ^
THIS. Michigan is out-performing its recruiting because it's playing a different game. We have become a better version of Wisconsin--great defense, complex running game that is hard to prepare for (since most teams are using an air raid variation), and enough firepower in the passing game to beat you that way.
The game-changer is also having a QB that can run. The one thing that mystifies me about our recruiting is why we still take immobile QBs. If want to have a chance to win the CFP, we need the added threat of QB run. Cade, Jayden Denegal, Alan Bowman...I'd like to see us incorporate more of the Ravens QB run concepts. JJ gives us that and therefore a chance against Georgia (or whatever juggernaut we meet in the CFP) but it sure would be nice to have more athletes back there.
And Marshall looks like another potential great Michigan TE. He's ranked where he is because of his position, not his skillset. It's simply not a skillset the services value; there is ONE tight end in the top 98 players in the 247 composite, and he's 6-6 225 (basically a big receiver).
December 14th, 2022 at 8:51 AM ^
QBs that can throw accurately, grok the zone read game, zip the ball on screens and slants to give the receiver a chance at YAC, deftly arc the long ball, don't make dumb mistakes, can read the field, have good pocket presence, maintain good footwork under pressure, aren't going to the highest bidder, AND can run. . . why, if you know where they're as abundant as watery beer in a stadium concession area, by all means reach out to the Michigan coaches directly. They'd love to know.
Reality is, recruits like McCarthy come along maybe once every 30-40 years, and that's for a high-profile program like Michigan. Generational QBs aside, you usually have to give up something, and these days running is lower on the list of priorities.
December 13th, 2022 at 7:10 PM ^
Not for nothing, but the other undefeated team this year also uses 2 TEs quite regularly, one's their leading receiver and the other is 4th (and has the highest yards per catch, at 6'7" 270lbs!).
December 13th, 2022 at 9:50 PM ^
I only just realized we have two different Semaj's in this class. Weird. Is this becoming a more common name or is it just incredibly coincidental?
December 13th, 2022 at 10:27 PM ^
It's the bizzaro "James."
December 14th, 2022 at 1:53 AM ^
Whoa that just blew my mind
December 14th, 2022 at 8:47 AM ^
Carlsbad, great place to live and grow up. On a rainy day I always miss it.
December 14th, 2022 at 9:48 AM ^
I came away from that three minute long highlight video liking Marshall, but really liking that QB Sayin. He can sling.
December 14th, 2022 at 3:15 PM ^
Seth, I'd personally love to see an MHSAA post from you during the off-season. Your analysis is always fair and backed up.
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