Interview: ASU OL commit Marshal Nathe looks to go back-to-back with Centennial

If there is one thing to learn about Arizona State Class of 2016 commitment Marshal Nathe that would be Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham got one of the biggest steals in the nation pretty much by virtue of geography and upbringing.

The bold statement takes nothing away from the Sun Devils’ recruiting efforts but puts all the praise on Nathe and the lack of early effort by college recruiters nationwide.

Nathe is a 6’3”, 290 pound, offensive guard for Centennial High School in Peoria, Arizona and he is a monster on the gridiron. Guys like Marshal are the reason states have classifications in high school football to help even out the disparity of talent between different schools.

Despite playing at the highest level in Arizona, Nathe is just that much better, and stronger, than everyone else basically leading to a mismatch every time he lines up on the field against a poor unsuspecting defender. At the snap of the ball No. 78 locks onto his target and routinely drives said person 5-10-15 yards off the ball. He is quick for his size and is a punishing and demoralizing blocker unleashing on opposing Arizona defenders play after play… lots of praise for Nathe and for good reason.

Not all was perfect for Nathe and company when they stepped onto the field in 2014. They lost their first two games to Chandler (28-24) and Basha (31-21) before winning 12 straight games eventually capturing a state title. The team had a ton of talent but the turnaround is certainly symbolic of the spirit and passion instilled into the Coyote players especially in Nathe.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview Nathe sat down to go over Centennial’s 2014 state title run, offseason workouts, recruiting, and looks a head to the Coyotes potential of going back-to-back in 2015.

 

Marshal, the Coyotes started out a little rough but then everything seemed to click by Game 3. Walk us through the team’s preparation in the summer, the first couple of games, and then the run to the title.

“We started working hard in summer practices. We had a new OC (Offensive Coordinator – Coach Comes) coming in, he had a different offensive game plan than what we ran the year before. Coach Comes is extremely knowledgeable. He knows how to run an offense.

“Part of the early trouble was the different terminology. He gave us little different parts of his offense to learn but no playbook. He took us step by step going through the summer into the season but none of us understood it at that time. Then he gave us a big playbook. The playbook had something like 90-95 pages for the linemen and the quarterback’s playbook is like 250 plus pages. The playbook is very particular.

“There was a lot of pressure on Coach (Richard) Taylor going into the season. It was close for a little bit against Chandler. That experience that tested our familiness and our relationship as a team. Coach was worried about us going into the next game and we lost. That game was supposed to be a little more comfortable for us. They (Basha) came out ready to play and we were not. After the game the seniors pushed us and brought us together as a family. It was really cool to feel that brotherhood. That pushed us to dominate this season.

“From there we just knew what we had to do. There were rumors about coach retiring. Our goal was to give him another championship before he retired.”

Do the Coyotes have the talent to go back-to-back in 2015?

“I truly believe we do because we’ve been taught were it matters is the O-line. We have seniors across the board. Steven (Bailey, 6’3”, 285 lbs), he puts me on my toes. (Tanner) Hawthorne has looks from Oregon. Randy (Rodriquez) is my starting left tackle, he plays both ways. (Jonathan) Contreras is 6’5”, 300 pounds, and he’s growing into his body. We have options.

“They’re looking for me to play center and play left guard, handle our interior. Victor (Martinez) and Jeff (Durfee) are other potential candidates to push for time. Other than that we have a bunch of sophomores and freshmen that are maturing, all able and capable. They’ll do great.”

You have the talent you have the experience of winning a championship, what does the team have to do to repeat?

“Our major thing is coming together again as a family and competing at a level that will be more challenging. Last year some blowouts gave us a break allowing us to rest some of our guys. This year I don’t know if we will have any games like that. We’ll have to work hard throughout the season to achieve everyone’s goal which is state. We have to come together as a team. We’re nothing but talented, quick, and strong but if there is no unity we can’t win.”

What are your strengths as an offensive lineman?

“I’ve heard that I am pretty mean, and that’s true. I’m an aggressive player. I enjoy hitting players and applying pressure. I apply it but don’t feel it. I workout a lot with my trainer (Scott Peters). One of my strengths as a lineman is my strength. I benched 415 over the last summer and I’m going for 500 this summer. My squat was 500 last summer, this summer 600 is the goal. I power cleaned 280 last summer, 315 is the goal this summer.

“I’m working more on bringing my hips into the equation this season and in college. I’ll have to start using my hips when I play beyond the head hunting I’ve been doing. I’ve got to start using more of my technique.”

Did you earn any individual honors in 2014?

“D-I All-State, All-Conference, and I’m not sure but I might have been Academic All-American.”

Did you earn any similar honors your sophomore year?

“My sophomore year I was Second-Team All-State.”

Will anything change for you on the field in 2015 as compared to your junior season in 2014?

“My position – where I’ll be playing. I’ve played left guard the last two seasons. I’m being recruited to play center. I have the potential to be able to start as a true freshman with my size, strength, and intelligence. I can play with the “big boys.”

“Defense is an option for me and Steven Bailey. We are open to helping the team however we can. If one of our guys needs a break we’ll go in there to give our guys a break.”

You committed to Arizona State on March 30, very early in the recruiting process. What led you to commit so early?

“One of the major reasons was because of the feeling of dedication that I had to ASU growing up around the school. I’ve been an ASU fan my whole life. My dad is a big ASU fan. That was one of my major goals early on was to be a Sun Devil. After the offer rolled in I went to a couple of their spring practices. The intensity was there. During practice there were a couple of fights but right after the fight they’re slapping each other’s butts. I thought that was very unique. There were multiple tussles but no serious cuss words. That was cool. What Coach Graham is bringing to the program you don’t see everywhere.”

How do you feel now that you’ve committed to ASU?

“Now the pressure is off recruiting. I may have a few offers coming in but ASU is where I want to go. I went there for spring ball. I feel at home and a dedication to them. This allows me to concentrate on the team and bring one more year of having that trophy to Centennial and ending my career there on a positive note with the guys I love.”

Who else has shown interest in you?

“I have an offer from Navy. I get letters from (Texas) A&M, Arizona, Purdue, Washington, and Michigan. Stanford and Bama (Alabama) really wanted me to come to a camp so they could give me an offer. Harvard and Montana have shown a lot of interest too.”

When the college recruiters have talked to you about your game what do they tell you they like about your abilities?

“Most recruiters have mentioned they really like my meanness and that I am able to bully someone. I don’t feel remorse. I have to treat them like any other player. I enjoy inflecting pain and pancaking players. They mention they really like that I am able to understand defenses and my footwork, and of course my strength.”

How many pancake blocks did you get last season?

“Steven and I would have competitions on who could get the most pancake blocks. In the state game I had 14 and he had 16. I think we came close to getting 19 to 20 pancake blocks each per game. We had to come close to 150-175.”

What? That had to be demoralizing for the guys you played against getting whipped play after play like that.

“(Laughing) Yep.”

Are you going to any one-day college camps this summer?

“Our team is competing in a tournament at ASU. I might go to one of their camps for a day or two to work with the coaches.”

Do you have any plans to attend any exposure camps?

“I’ve gone to two Nike’s in my career. No more camps, I’m just concentrating on getting better.”

Do you like watching a college or NFL player to learn more about your position?

“Not necessarily, I never single out an individual. When I watch a game I pay attention to the interior guys. I look at their footwork and punching technique.”

Do you play any other sports for Centennial?

“I participated in track.”

What events?

“Discus and shot put. I’m not participating this year though. I have too much training to do. I plan on graduating early so last year was my last time to throw.”

Who has had the biggest impact on your football career?

“As a coach Scott Peters has had the biggest impact. He’s has been my mentor for the last two years. He’s taught me a lot and added new things in my toolbox. He’s helping me become a D-I player and encouraging. My oldest brother Spencer played at Colorado State Pueblo. He’s my No. 1 cheerleader. He’s always been a big supporter of me and my future.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“Being able to hit somebody and the feeling you get when you get to lineup with a friend of yours. You know they have your back and you’ve got theirs.”

 

To get an idea of the amount of talent Centennial put out on the field in 2014 note that 10 guys signed letters of intent to play college ball as part of the 2015 recruiting class. The talent leaving Peoria to schools across the nation included running back Dedrick Young to Nebraska, wide receiver Greyson Bankhead to Cal, wide receiver Emanuel Hall to Missouri, wide receiver Steven Lee to Northern Illinois, defensive back Jihree Stewart to Oregon, defensive end Chris Calhoun to Wake Forest, defensive tackle Brett Tonz to Colorado, offensive lineman Trace Ellison to Texas Tech, and quarterback Jimmy Fitzgerald to Illinois. Even kicker Zach Mays got a scholarship from Cornell.

Marshal’s first year to start, his sophomore season, he squared off in practice with and against nine guys that ended up going D-I to schools like USC, Cal, UCLA, Arizona, Washington, Washington State, and Oregon.

Before Nathe throws on the shoulder pads for an ASU practice in 2016 he will have been through the ringer in Centennial practices for three years against some of the best talent in the nation year after year, and that does not include the depth of talent Centennial plays week after week in-season.

Who knows how many future D-I players the Coyotes will place in the 2016 recruiting class? One could rightly guess a number pushing 10. But one thing that is a known right now is Nathe will certainly represent Centennial and the school’s legacy well as a Sun Devil playing for ASU in the near future.

 

Written by Ryan Wright

Photo credit: scout.com; Marshal Nate

Photo credit: yourwestvalley.com; No. 78 Marshal Nathe (left) leads Centennial out onto the field with No. 23 Micah Navarrete.