The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/122487
prep profiles Former Ohio State Pledge Taking It Slow Southfield (Mich.) High defensive end Lawrence Marshall seemed destined to end up in a Michigan uniform — that was the consensus among recruiting analysts, anyway — before he took a trip to Ohio State in February for OSU's basketball game with Michigan. That same day, he became a Buckeyes commitment. A few weeks later, he was back on the market and many feel U-M is among his leaders again. Lawrence Marshall ✪✪✪✪✪ Southfield High School Southfield, Mich. Class: 2014 Position: Defensive End Ht.: 6-4 • Wt.: 205 Ranking: Rivals.com's No. 19 weakside defensive end nationally "I just made my decision too early," Marshall said. "I have a whole year left, and I want to check more schools out. I am going to take official visits and decide after my senior season." Marshall has been on the U-M campus twice since reopening his recruitment, once for the basketball team's game with Indiana. He's continued to bond with the Michigan players, but more importantly he's getting to know the U-M coaches and developing a rapport with them. One of them, defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery, recently left to accept a job at Oklahoma. Not surprisingly, Montgomery has maintained in contact with Marshall, hopeful to get him to Norman, Okla., for a visit at some point. "He is just a good guy, a down-to-earth type of guy," Marshall said, noting he's open to anyone and everyone. "I'll go anywhere. I'm trying to visit more schools. I want to take some visits. I'm just looking at the players' relationships with each other, how they treat each other, and see if they are a big happy family and if they get along with each other. All that comes that into play." Tennessee, Nebraska and several others have already joined Michigan and Ohio State in offering, while USC, Alabama and several additional powers have shown interest after Marshall's outstanding junior season for Southfield. He helped lead the Blue Jays to a 7-4 record and a trip to the second round of the Division II state playoffs, notching 75 tackles, 11 sacks and eight forced fumbles. He also blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown. He continues to keep an eye on Ann Arbor. Marshall made it a point to interact with U-M defensive coordinator and defensive ends coach Greg Mattison, running backs coach and southeast Michigan recruiter Fred Jackson, and director of player personnel Chris Singletary on his last visit, and he's already bonded with several Michigan recruits. "I knew a lot about Michigan already. I just have to build a better relationship with the coaching staff," he said. "Coach Mattison, Coach Singletary and Coach Jackson were the ones I talked to the most. They were just saying the same stuff, like how they're recruiting me. You could say I'm starting to build a little bit of comfort with them." Others, though, will also get their shot before Marshall commits, probably sometime next January. — Chris Balas