The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1520409
JUNE/JULY 2024 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 55 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY ZACH LIBBY O n3 Top-100 prospect Nate Mar- shall of Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick planned to make a return visit to Michi- gan for the spring game on April 20, but a commitment wasn't anticipated lead- ing up to his trip. After spending an ex- tended period with the U-M coaching staff and touring the facilities, On3's No. 1-ranked prospect in Illinois realized his calling was with the reigning national champions. Two days following U-M's spring game, Marshall took to social media to announce his pledge to the Wolver- ines. He became the first 2025 prospect to commit with head coach Sherrone Moore at the helm and the fourth mem- ber of this U-M class. "When I was on the visit, [defensive line] Coach Espo[sito] told me, 'When something feels right, you know it feels right,'" Marshall said. "So, it felt right, and I felt like it was time to make that decision." In seven straight recruiting cycles, Michigan has landed at least one com- mit from Chicagoland, a region Moore once heavily recruited when he was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. One of the program's newest hires on Moore's staff, defensive line coach Lou Esposito, also has significant ties to the Windy City. When Esposito was added in late March from Memphis, one of his first acts on the recruiting trail was to contact Marshall, who had a relationship with Moore and also knew [former defen- sive line coaches] Mike Elston and Greg Scruggs prior to their departures. Af- ter connecting over the phone multiple times with Esposito, Marshall scheduled his first offseason visit to Michigan for the spring game. "Every time I'm on campus, it feels like I'm at home," Marshall said. "I like what Coach 'Spo is doing with the program. I like Coach Wink [defensive coordina- tor Wink Martindale], he's a good guy, and I like what he's doing with the pro- gram. Of course, Coach Moore, he's been there and knows the tradition at Michi- gan and the tradition of winning. So, why not? Go be a part of greatness." The combined effort from Esposito, Martindale and Moore won out for Mar- shall, overcoming pushes from Alabama, Miami, Auburn, Notre Dame, Illinois and others for the No. 4 overall defensive lineman in the country and No. 40 pros- pect overall in the On3 Industry Ranking. "Just how down-to-earth they are," Marshall said about what he liked about the U-M coaches. "They care about me more as a person on my visits than focusing on me football-wise. Learn- ing about me as an individual, so I like that. Football-wise, hey, Coach Wink is one of the smartest guys to do it." Last season, Marshall notched 38 total tackles, including 16 for a loss, 6 sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, 4 forced fumbles, and 4 blocked kicks. He was the Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catho- lic Conference Orange Division Defen- sive Player of the Year. He also was on the Chicago Sun-Times All-Area first team. As a productive pass rusher, the 6-foot-5, 265-pounder resonated pow- erfully with the idea of being part of a program that's produced a long list of NFL-bound defensive linemen. "They have had guys like Aidan Hutchinson and more," Marshall said. "I really like the production. It tells me that they know what they are doing and that I can trust them." Marshall is an athletic big man who earned honorable mention all-league honors in basketball as a junior. His mother, Khara (née Smith), was a three- time All-American at DePaul and drafted by the WNBA. His grandfather, Ken Norman, starred at Illinois and spent 10 years in the NBA. ❑ Top-100 Chicagoland Edge Nate Marshall Commits To Michigan Marshall, a 6-5, 265-pounder from Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick, is rated as the No. 1 player in Illinois, the No. 4 defensive lineman nationally and the No. 40 prospect overall in the On3 Industry Ranking. PHOTO BY ZACH LIBBY PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: "You have to start with his first-step quickness. His outstanding jump off the ball really gives offensive linemen issues, particularly interior offensive linemen. That's a great starting point when you're talking about a defensive lineman. He has very active hands, and uses his budding technique to disengage from offensive linemen. "You can see that on-field athleticism show up with his ability to track down ball carriers from behind. When you look at his strengths, I think he really projects well, particularly as an interior pass rusher. As he continues to get bigger, he's a guy who you could slide inside on passing downs. He could create a mismatch when he's going against guards and centers. "He shows his coordination playing on offense. We see him make some impressive jump-ball grabs when he splits out wide as a receiver. He has a very strong athletic pedigree with his family's history in basketball. There are a lot of positive indicators there. He has room to continue growing physically, but you have to be encouraged with what he's showed so far." AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: "He just needs to continue to grow as a player. He can continue improving as a finisher in the backfield and continue to add size and strength into his frame. I think he's going to probably put on a good bit of mass once he gets to Michigan. It will be interesting to see where he tops out from a size perspective." PLAYER COMPARISON: "For a Michigan player, maybe the closest comparison would be Kris Jenkins. I think Nate Marshall has the potential to be a versatile piece that you could move along the defensive line. Jenkins gained 60 pounds once he got to Michigan. I could see Marshall taking on a similar track. We rank him as a defensive lineman. But given the girth that Michigan tends to recruit there, he could play as a big defensive end." —On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power