The tallest player of Florida State’s 2017 recruiting class and the one traveling the furthest distance to get to Tallahassee is anxious to step foot on campus.
Alexander Marshall, a 6-7, 240-pound tight end from Maine, will be one of six scholarship players at the position when he arrives next month. Marshall was a 3-star prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, and the top player from Maine.
With a large frame, good hands and sometimes deceptive athleticism, Marshall may be the last tight end to arrive for FSU, but he spent his offseason working to get better. Marshall spent time with a personal trainer and is looking to make his mark for the Seminoles sooner rather than later.
“(I’ve worked on) every aspect of my game from speed training mechanics in every end, working on fine tuning and progressing my game, so I’m ready to make plays and get learning,” Marshall said. “I look forward to what my future holds. I’m only about a month away now and I’m hungry.”
Marshall will wear No. 87 when he gets to put on the garnet and gold. Coming from the New England area, that’s not a surprise. That’s the jersey number worn by New England Patriots’ All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski.
The comparison of Marshall to Gronkowski was made by FSU tight ends coach Tim Brewster on National Signing Day when he called the Maine prospect, “Baby Gronk”. With similar size, Gronkowski is a player that Marshall models his game after, but he’s looking to make his own name known.
“I’m always absorbing new tips from everyone,” Marshall said. “I’m a mix of a lot of guys.”
At tight end, Marshall will join redshirt senior Jeremy Kerr, redshirt juniors Ryan Izzo and Mavin Saunders, sophomore Naseir Upshur and fellow freshman Tre’ McKitty, who enrolled early. It’s a group that Marshall called the most versatile in the nation. Marshall isn’t afraid of the internal competition, but is more excited to get to learn from one another and help make each other better.
“What else would I want than to be able to learn off each and every one of my brothers?” Marshall said. “That’s why I’m coming to the best college in the nation. I’ll be busting my a** from Day 1 to get to the top. I’m just anxious to get playbook in front of me.”
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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