Interview: 4-Star 2022 All-State Louisiana RB Marlon Gunn Jr. Updates Potential Recruiting Visits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There are great reasons Marlon Gunn Jr. is a four-star recruit with double-digit offers in-hand, he is a tremendous talent and a character student-athlete. Even in a shortened 2020 campaign, the 6-0, 206-pound, tailback smoked 5A Louisiana defenses for 754 yards on 73 touches with six trips into the end zone. Showing his all-purpose abilities, the Scotlandville offense targeted him eight times in the passing game for 148 yards with two more scores during the squad’s 6-1 season.
The speed, power, size, field vision, all of it has college coaches daydreaming about adding the Louisiana All-State performer to their roster as part of the 2022 recruiting class.
For a rundown on his skills, workouts, and potential recruiting visits this summer, Gunn made another return to RNG.
*Click link for Nov. 2020 RNG interview with Marlon Gunn Jr.
Interview
Marlon, there are so many superlatives to your game, but one thing I want to bring up first is how hard you run. I’d love to know all the yards you picked up after contact this season. Where does that toughness running the ball come from within?
Coming from my dad. He used to always tell me, “you have to run mad like someone took something from you. You need to have the mentality you are not getting me down or someone just hit your momma.” That is what I think about when I run the ball. It is a mindset.
On a humorous sidenote, do you have a cool football nickname? If not, I have one I’d like to run past you…
I do, it is Thunder. Our other running back was lighting. We were a duo. The media were calling us thunder and lightning. What was the nickname you came up with?
“He Gone” as in as soon as you hit the line of scrimmage you are gone.
(Laughs) I like that one. That is awesome. Once I pass the line, I am gone.
Sticking with your speed, how fast are you?
My 40 is a 4.51. In track, my personal record in the 100 meters is 11.2. In the 60 was a 7.1.
Nice. In addition to how hard you run the ball, your speed, and your balance, what are some of the other traits to your game that make you one of the top backs in the nation?
My character. I am not disrespectful, I am disciplined, and I am coachable. That separates me from everyone else.
Let’s shine some light on your hands, you had some fantastic receptions in 2020. How did that part of your game grow to be a dangerous asset this past season?
That’s how I got my Virginia offer. One of their coaches hit me up, he said, “I had to see if you can catch first. I have seen you run the ball, but I don’t know if you can catch?” That was brought up as we were talking through the recruiting process, that is how I got that offer. When he saw that one clip, where I broke all them tackles and scored, then they offered.
As a receiver, cannot run a route to save my life. When I am catching the ball, my concentration and focus is what allows me to make plays. That is all I am focused on. You can tackle me in the process, but I will still focus on that ball. My route running sucks. I can run a fly; just throw it deep and I will go get.
Your candor is much appreciated. It may be too soon to tell, but when the 2021 season gets going are you adding any new roles on the field?
I am not playing defense. My coach said them days are over. I was on kick return last season but they never kicked the ball to me. Nothing new in 2021, I will basically be doing the same things.
What have you been working on with your game this winter during the offseason?
Speed and balance, that’s it for real. I have been doing good core work and stretching for better flexibility. I don’t work on juking, but I do work on putting my foot in the ground and exploding, yes.
Are you into 7v7 yet?
I will be. I got to my team late; Kream Elite. If I start playing in time, my first tournament will be in Houston the following weekend.
Have you gone to any camps or do you have any camps coming up you may attend?
None yet. There is one at the end of March, the USA National Combine. They hand pick certain players across the country for their camps.
Where is that one?
In Frisco, Texas.
Alright, let’s talk recruiting. Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
TCU, Colorado, LSU, Kansas State, and Kentucky.
How many offers do you have?
I have 10.
Gunn’s Offer Sheet: Alcorn State, Florida State, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico, Purdue, SMU, Southern University, Tulane, and Virginia
Which programs were the last couple to offer?
My most recent was Purdue and ULL (Louisiana). FSU’s offer was back in November.
Going all the way back, which program was the first to offer?
Alcorn State on Jan. 22, 2020.
Visits appear to be back in play first of June. When that time comes, are there any programs you might go see?
Yes. I will probably go see FSU, Virginia, SMU, and Tulane. ULL is like home, I have been there a lot. TCU and Alabama are two other schools I’d like to go see as well.
Marlon, you were a lot of fun to talk today. I appreciate your time. Wishing you the best of luck with your 7v7 season this spring.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Gunn family; Marlon Gunn Jr.