Interview: 3-Star 2020 WR Marcus Libman Burned 6A Arizona Competition and Will Do It Again
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Even on a loaded Pinnacle roster, Class of 2020 receiver Marcus Libman turned in the kind of year all players dream of. Hauling in passes from four-star 2019 quarterback Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma) and four-star 2020 gunslinger JD Johnson (Michigan), Libman went to work turning 72 receptions into 1,354 yards with 15 scores posted on the board. Despite passing the eye test (6-1, 185), displaying speed and quickness, and with all the productivity that went into repeatedly burning 6A Arizona competition, Libman somehow only has one offer on the table from Cornell. All that should change in a quick minute with interest coming in from programs like Notre Dame, Arizona, Arizona State, and UCLA among others.
In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with one of Arizona’s top 2020 talents, and most overlooked, for an in-depth look at his game and busy spring recruiting visit schedule.
Interview
Marcus, the Pioneers were blessed with two tremendous talents in the huddle last season. As a top receiver, how did you work on your chemistry with both Spencer Rattler and JD Johnson turning that into on the field success?
“Every Sunday and Wednesday, any day during the week they were throwing, I would go with them. I did as many reps as I could with them. We would work on routes outside of school all the time.”
Because of your success last season throwing the ball completing 5-of-6 for 93 yards with two touchdowns, do you ever give tips to your quarterbacks?
(Laughs) “Yes, Sir. My dad was a QB in high school, he taught me how to throw. I would always tease them. We would have contests at practice to see who could hit the field goal post or who could throw it into a trash can. We did a lot of accuracy games for fun.”
With your big stat line, you had to produce some amazing single-game efforts. I got to see you pull in six passes for 120 yards with an amazing corner of the end zone catch against JSerra. Other than the JSerra game, which game was your best last season and why do you consider that game to be your best?
“I’d say my best game was our ESPN televised game against Chaparral (won 23-7). Spencer was out for that game, I got the MVP of that game. When JD found out he would play in that game, he was a little nervous. I spoke with him ahead of time to help calm him down. I threw for a touchdown and caught one. That was a big game. I did my best to help carry the team to the win.”
What are all the attributes to your game that make you so dangerous as a receiver?
“I am always working on my hands. My goal is that I never have a dropped a ball. Every ball coming my way I am catching.”
How many drops did you have last season?
“I think I had two or three drops.”
With 72 total receptions, and between two quarterbacks, that is fantastic.
“Thank you.”
Will your role(s) on offense, or with the team in general, change during your senior season?
“Yes, sir. I returned punts last season, I will continue that, and I will run the ball more this year. Kaleb Covington (Idaho), we are losing him. He was big for our offense. I will be in the slot, on the outside, and running the ball. I will be handling the jet sweeps and all that this season.”
What are you working on this spring with your game?
“I lost weight during basketball season. Now the goal is to become bigger and faster. I have put on 11 pounds since basketball.”
Are you attending any national camps upcoming?
“Yes, sir. I am going to the Nike Opening Regional in Oakland (May).”
Are you playing 7v7 ball with a travel team this spring?
“Yes. I am playing with 2020 Elite. We have the top players in Arizona. I am going to Florida with ProWay (Los Angeles) this weekend playing with JD.”
You have an offer from Cornell, which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
“There are a lot of coaches coming to spring ball this year. Notre Dame, UA (Arizona), UCLA, Stanford, Princeton, Cal, Iowa State, and those are the biggest ones I can think of right now.”
Have you taken any unofficial visits over the past few months?
“Over my spring break, I went to Notre Dame. I have been a couple times to UA to watch practices. A couple of weeks ago I went to USC, UCLA, and San Diego State.”
How did the Notre Dame visit go?
“It was one of a kind. It was pretty cool. I saw them lift and practice on a Monday. I met with their receiver coach, Coach (Del) Alexander. We went over film and talked. I loved the campus.”
What about your UA visits, how have they gone?
“I have also been twice to ASU. With UA, I love going there. They have a dope new dome. I love the campus and the coaches. It is a fun environment at UA.”
What about UCLA, how did that go?
“It was beautiful. We put on the jerseys. I saw their practice. The weather was perfect. It is a college campus, but you step outside the campus and you are in the city. The coaches were awesome as well too.”
Do you have any planned visits coming up?
“Yes, sir. I am going to Stanford in two weeks with Tosh Baker (4-star 2020 OL). Over the summer, I am going out east to Princeton, Harvard, and Yale.”
Nice. When you talk to coaches, what do college coaches tell you they like about your game?
“They like how I use my body to catch the ball and how I play the game – my energy. They like how I make the game look like fun.”
Is there an aspect to your game that you feel gets overlooked?
“My speed. A lot of people know I am fast, but they do not realize how fast.”
When you are not doing a football related activity, what are you doing for fun on your downtime?
“I don’t have that much downtime. When I do, I watch a movie, hang out with the family, and my little brother has games to go see too.”
Is there a unique skill or talent you have that might surprise most people?
“I am good at 2K, I never lose.”
Marcus, I appreciate your time today and wish you luck with your 7v7 tournament in Florida this weekend.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Libman family; Marcus Libman at UCLA and Cal