Interview: Scholarship Offers Following Play of 3-Star 2022 Kansas DL Jalen Marshall
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The average football fan will never truly appreciate the effort, heart, and pounding it takes to be a top interior defensive lineman. At Kansas’ Saint Thomas Aquinas, they have a great interior presence with Class of 2022 talent Jalen Marshall gobbling up opposing linemen. Sliding from a zero technique to a head-on two, the 6-5, 270-pound, rising star was a force throughout the 2020 season. The three-star prospect put an end to 55 plays with five sacks, three tackles for a loss, four passes batted down, forced a fumble, picked one up, and blocked a field goal. His productivity on the field has paid off in the form of nine scholarship offers extended.
In an RNG first-look, Marshall goes in detail on his junior season with an update on his recruiting options.
Interview
Jalen, you may play one of the most underappreciated positions on the field yet one of the most important. Colliding against 5A Kansas guards and centers, how did you prepare for each game during the season?
I knew most of the guards would be smaller, and knew I would be double teamed. I stayed low, but I still need to work on that.
Looking back on the grind, what are you most proud of with the season turned in?
I feel like I put together a more efficient and better overall year than my sophomore year. But we fell short in the end in playoffs.
Taking on the double teams and going against sliding protections, how did your game improve shedding blocks getting into the backfield during the 2020 campaign?
I learned a lot this season. Our defense is about holding gaps and holding the runs. This season I learned more about reading the blocks which helps making plays. That’s the reason I did not have as many tackles for a loss this season, we are reading and reacting defense.
Which game this season was your personal best?
I’d say either St. James or Lawrence. I had 10 tackles against them. They ran the ball a ton.
When the season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your overall game as a defensive tackle?
I feel like I am really good at stopping the run, I have a great pass rush, I am good at applying pressure, and getting my hands up in the air batting down balls; I had a few of those this season.
With the experience added to your growing talents, what was at least one thing you learned this season that will help you going forward?
What I need to work on, which is the same as last year, staying low, reading, using my hands and getting quicker.
Going into your recruiting now. How many offers do you have?
I have nine offers.
Which programs were the last to offer you?
Washington State, Indiana, and Virginia.
Marshall’s Offer Sheet: Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Virginia, and Washington State
Which schools are showing interest but have not offered?
Duke, Arizona State, Memphis, Iowa, Louisville, and Colorado.
Are there any schools you’d like to visit next year when the dead period is over?
Yes. I’d like to visit some of the closer ones like Kansas State and Nebraska then go to the further away schools.
Are you competing in any other varsity sports other than football?
Yes, I didn’t get to last spring since last year’s season was cancelled, but I threw shot my freshman year.
What is your cumulative GPA?
3.2.
What is your favorite subject in school?
I like history.
Jalen, I appreciate your time today. It was great learning more about you and your game on the field.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Marshall family; Jalen Marshall