After originally saying he wouldn't announce his college choice until June 12, Andover (N.H.) three-star tight end Alex Marshall apparently couldn't wait that long. He committed to Florida State on Saturday after making yet another unofficial visit to Tallahassee.
Following Marshall's announcement, Warchant caught up with the Seminoles' newest commitment to discuss his decision. Not surprisingly, the athletic big man said his respect for FSU coach Jimbo Fisher and tight ends coach Tim Brewster were primary factors.
"Seriously, there is nothing like Brewster and Jimbo," Marshall said. "Coach Brew gets them (tight ends) the ball and utilizes tight ends how they need to be -- and are used in the NFL."
Marshall added that he loved the reaction from FSU's coaches when he gave them his word.
"They were real happy we could make it happen and that I chose them in the end," he said. "I don't think there is a better place in the country than Florida State. This weekend, I hung out with Ryan Izzo and some other guys, and the people here at FSU are just tremendous. I'm just so fired up to be a 'Nole."
Marshall told Warchant he will be very active in recruiting other prospects to FSU, and he's already talking with Brewster about players he should make contact with.
He has even started thinking about his recruiting pitch: "I've already seen a lot of schools, and FSU is clearly the best in so many ways. And with FSU, you can't go wrong with having a family, but also coaches, that love and care for you -- that are going to get you to the next level, but at the same time win. It's the best."
Because he has such great size -- Marshall is about 6-foot-6, 240 pounds -- some have wondered whether he will move to offensive tackle in college or stay at tight end. But given his background as a receiver in high school, it sounds like tight end is his home for now.
"When I was a freshman or sophomore, I played mostly receiver, but a lot of schools wanted to see me block," Marshall said. "I love being physical, so blocking is something I wanted to show a lot. Once I did that, things really took off with the offers.
"With FSU, that's a place I felt immediately at home with. And then with Coach Brew, he's the best out there [coaching tight ends], and we built a great bond. Ao I knew that was the place for me and have for a while."
Marshall said he plans to visit FSU again soon, but doesn't know a specific date.
Click here to read the rest of this Impact Analysis piece. Find out how Marshall fits into FSU's plans at tight end, why he has emerged as a major target for schools like Florida State, why he is expected to get a bump in the recruiting rankings, and also check out a complete scouting report on Marshall from Rivals national recruiting director Mike Farrell. Complete Impact Analysis Here
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