Interview: 2020 WR Marquis Ashley Closes Out as One of State’s Best with 1,333 Yards
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Scorch the earth and leave nothing behind – that might have been the motto for Class of 2020 receiver Marquis Ashley during his senior season. The Norco talent had a breakout season in 2018 and absolutely crushed secondaries in his path closing out his high school career in style. The question now, which college football programs have taken notice.
After his junior campaign filled with 736 receiving yards off 41 receptions with nine touchdowns, all team-highs, everyone knew Ashley could play. To round out his all-purpose talents, he added a rushing score and took back nine kicks for 294 yards breaking loose on a long of 92. Going into the 2019 schedule, all wanted to know what Ashley would do against Division 1/2 California competition with those teams keying on him. The 5-8, 165-pound, speedster took in seven more passes (48) but converted those opportunities into 1,333 yards with 18 trips into the end zone. On special teams, he took back 13 kicks for 254 yards continuing to showcase how he can impact a game.
The context of Ashley’s accomplishments should be laid out. If the MaxPreps stats for all of California is correct, he led all Division-II receivers in receiving yards and did it with about 30 less receptions than his closest competitor. Regardless of state classification of said team and/or grade classification, Ashley posted the 13th most receiving yards in the Golden State this season doing so in just 11 games and with fewer receptions than all but one other player (Orion Peters).
For Ashley’s hard work, skills, and productivity, he has received offers from Hawaii and UNLV, but is still an overlooked prospect among his peer group.
In an RNG catch-up interview, I covered ground on Ashley’s amazing senior year with an update on recruiting.
*Click link for May 11, 2019, RNG video interview with Marquis Ashley
Interview
Marquis, when you want to prove a point, you do it. What a fantastic senior season you turned in showing what all you can do. In your opinion, how did it go?
“Honestly, it was amazing. It went very well with the things I accomplished. I am one of the best receivers to come out of Norco with my stats; that is a big thing for me.”
The connection you had with quarterback Shane Illingworth (4-star – Oklahoma State) was unstoppable. What routes were you running in the Cougars’ attack this season?
“Shane can throw it very well and he can throw it deep. We did a lot of deep routes, fades, and posts this season. He would tell me to run as fast as I can downfield and go it, and that is what I would do.”
Beyond the deep routes, what were some of the other routes you ran within the syste>
“We would run routes like slants and slant-up corners.”
Which routes are your favorite to run?
“I love the fade, because of my speed, and I love slants and quick outs. I love those routes.”
How were defenses scheming against you?
“This year, most of the defenses were doubling me. I was seeing a corner in the flat and a safety over the top. Sometimes I was triple-teamed with a linebacker, safety and corner covering me. Against Rancho Cucamonga, it took a while to get the ball to me because of the doubles they had on me, but we did.”
Facing those defenses, how did you adjust so you could keep laying it on secondaries?
“You have to find the open grass and not stand in one place. You have to move with the quarterback when he moves to get open. You have to find the open grass.”
How did your game show improvements this season?
“My game showed improvement with my releases, they have gotten a lot better. I was gaining separation giving an inside move and going out setting up the defensive backs on my cuts.”
Of the games played, which was your best performance?
“I think my best might have been against Vista Murrieta.”
Why does the Vista game top your list? What did you do well?
“I think I had three touchdowns on two fade routes and on a 10-yard out.”
Is there an overlooked aspect to your game?
“My coach has a big thing on blocking. That was big for me to block for my running backs. I lacked that some last year. I worked on that a lot in the offseason and throughout the year; that is a part of my game that improved a lot as well.”
You have the two offers from Hawaii and UNLV, are there any other schools showing interest?
“Yes. I am receiving interest from Sacramento State.”
Have you visited any programs this fall?
“I took one unofficial to Sac State.”
Tell me about that trip.
“I loved it. The coaching staff was amazing. They showed a lot of love, and it was not all about football. They were talking to me about school and family. I really liked the environment there.”
Coming up, are you playing any other varsity sports for Norco?
“Yes. I am running track.”
Which events?
“The 100, 200, and 4×1.”
With your football offseason workouts, what will be the focus for you?
“The focus for me will be on footwork, getting bigger, and adding muscle mass.”
Marquis, congratulations on a fantastic senior season and good luck with the ongoing recruiting process.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Norco HS/Ashley family; No. 5 Marquis Ashley