Michigan Football Recruiting: Lawrence Marshall (DE) — 2014 Wolverine Verbal Commit — Profile
Posted at 7:00am — 5/14/2013
Michigan Football Recruiting: Lawrence Marshall (DE) — 2014 Wolverine Verbal Commit — Profile
GBMWolverine Readers: Here is an overview of recent verbal commitment Lawrence Marshall.
Lawrence Marshall is one of the top football prospects in Michigan. On most recruiting lists, Lawrence is listed around number five.
Lawrence has length and the frame to get bigger. He also possesses a high level of athletic skill. Players can be coached in technique, scheme, etc. but size and athletic ability come with the athlete.
Lawrence Marshall is already well known by those who follow football recruiting from his winter commitment to Ohio State and the subsequent de-commitment a few days later. Although still listing Columbus as a potential destination, his comments soon led one to infer that Michigan and Michigan State held significant interest.
After several trips to East Lansing and Ann Arbor, Lawrence Marshall committed to attend Michigan on Saturday, May 11. By his comments, Lawrence seems very comfortable with his second commitment. There will, of course, be talk among some until signing day as to whether or not this commitment sticks. The view here is that Lawrence has indeed reached the end of the line. The real question is will one or more nationally ranked programs recruit Lawrence unmercifully as the process continues forward?
Michigan has made no secret regarding the intended upgrade to the pass-rushing proficiency of the defense. Clearly, the staff has identified the puzzle parts wanted to succeed in the above venture. And, it must be inferred that Lawence is indeed one of the identified puzzle parts.
Lawrence Marshall
Height: 6’4
Weight: 205
Number: 12
Current Position: Defensive End
Future Position: Defensive End or Linebacker
City/State: Southfield, Michigan
High School: Southfield
Head Coach: Tim Conley
Recruiter: Coach Fred Jackson
Committed: 5/11/2013
Top 5 other Offers: Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
Class: 2014 Michigan Wolverine Recruiting Class (Verbal Commit).
Follow Lawrence Marshall: on Twitter
Rankings:
24/7: .
ESPN: .
Rivals: .
Scout: .
Note: Stars do matter, but are not absolute in predicting success within a football program. So, with that in mind the GBMWolverine Staff has cleverly come up with a new system of ranking. We are using footballs instead of stars, how can one argue against a system that clever? Below are the interpretations of football power predicted way too boldly long before it matters. In other words, we will give informed opinion with the crystal ball and let the players determine what will happen through years of hard work.
Criteria: Raw talent, athleticism, position of need, intangibles.
10 footballs: Instant impact player.
9 footballs: Three or four-year starter at a high level.
8 footballs: A starter with all league potential.
7 footballs: A meaningful starter at some time during a career.
6 footballs: A spot starter or special teams player.
5 footballs: Not in the two deep after a two years.
4 footballs: Never made it.
1-3 footballs: See the above.
Remember just as we did during the season with grading positions or groups we are very tough graders and expect a lot out of those positions or players so this is no different here.
Overview:
Lawrence plays for one of the better programs in Michigan. He plays as a defensive end with his hand on the ground in high school. But it becomes obvious that in college there are possibilities for playing either defensive end or SAM linebacker. He has the ideal frame for either position!
Lawrence is a super quick athlete for his size. He uses his speed and athletic ability to dominate his competition. Lawrence has a very explosive 1st step and gets off the ball very well. He plays with very good leverage and pad level. At times he can be absolutely relentless in pursuit, and as such his backside pursuit catches coaches attention.
Needs Work / Concerns:
Like many skilled athletes, Lawrence relies too much on his athletic ability, his technique clearly needs much work, and the guess here is Lawrence understands this and also understands the nature of the coaching he will receive at Michigan. Just as clearly, Lawrence needs to get bigger and stronger. Again, it seems obvious he clearly understands this need as well. Depending on how Lawrence is used in the defensive schemes, he may also need to work on his drops and coverage skills.
Having said the above, Lawrence has the athletic ability to contribute to the Michigan defense.
Red-shirt or play his Freshman Year?
GBMWolverine believes he will definitely red-shirt his first year. In the past a player like Lawrence would be forced into playing early, but with the added depth and talent on the current Michigan football roster Lawrence can learn and also grow into the position without being forced to play right away.
Lawrence Marshall reminds the GBMWolverine Staff of — Former Michigan Football Player — Shawn Crable — DE/OLB.
Bottom Line:
A very good get for the coaching staff especially in-state. Also the fact that Michigan coaches have some elite level talent still in hot pursuit could make this a very good class even though a very small class compared to past classes and nationwide as well.
Highlight Videos:
Final Thoughts:
We welcome Lawrence Marshall to Michigan and hope he has a successful career on and off the football field as a student-athlete at the University of Michigan. Go Blue!
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff
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