Penn State and Miami ahead, four-star LB Ezekiel Marcelin talks dream school
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
A great relationship has developed with Ezekiel Marcelin’s (6-1, 200) dream school, and good thing for other Power Five programs, the four-star linebacker is still wide open to the process. As Marcelin lays out ball carriers for Miami Central, teams are fighting over the opportunity to sign the Class of 2025 talent with game-day invites coming in left and right.
Any team that sees the Rockets on their schedule in the preseason knows a fight is coming. Central is one of the Sunshine State’s best year after year always producing great defenses. Carrying the banner of mean hits and jaw jarring collisions in the box for the team this fall is Marcelin.
“The season is going great for me,” Marcelin stated. “I started off my junior campaign well, I have 30 tackles in two games.”
Marcelin continued, “I have gotten better with my pass drops and open field tackling, that got way better, that is why I am adding more tackles in each game.”
Ezekiel Marcelin at Penn State.
After opening the season with national powerhouse Bishop Gorman followed by Booker T. Washington, another big-time game is on the schedule today (Thursday) airing on ESPN2.
“I am looking forward to every game, but I am taking them one game at a time,” Marcelin said. “We play Chaminade-Madonna on ESPN2 next.”
A national audience will tune in to see the heavyweight teams collide, along with next level scouts.
“It has been crazy, they’ve been blowing up my phone,” Marcelin shared. “Everyone is showing love. It was crazy when it first started. On Aug. 1 my phone was blowing up with coaches.”
Teams have handed 24 scholarship opportunities to the student-athlete who is carrying a 3.9 cumulative GPA.
Clemson, Oklahoma, and Georgia are among the teams evaluating Marcelin this season with a whole lot of squads doing their best to forge a relationship with the four-star.
“Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Louisville, USF, Tennessee, and Auburn have been reaching out; I can’t think of all of them right now,” Marcelin stated.
The Seminoles welcomed Marcelin to campus over the summer.
“It was great,” Marcelin said. “Seeing their facilities, that is one of my dream schools. Dalvin Cook is from Miami Central (FSU-Vikings), he’s my favorite player. Seeing their facilities and learning how it works from the inside is a dream come true.”
Marcelin spoke about his connection with the Seminoles’ staff, “Every time I am there, they treat me like family; it is the same when I call them. They are all on the phone when I call. Randy Shannon (LB) talks to me throughout the week; we have a great relationship.”
The fall travel itinerary is loading up for Marcelin.
“I am going to Georgia Tech vs. Miami (Oct. 7), the Miami-Florida State game (Nov. 11), the Kentucky vs. Louisville game (Nov. 25), and I might go to the Penn State White out game this week vs. Iowa. I am looking forward to that,” Marcelin stated. “I might go to Michigan vs. Michigan State game (Oct. 21).”
There is a family vibe for Marcelin in Coral Gables.
“They offered me early in my process, and they have been on me since then,” Marcelin shared. “It is the same thing with Florida State, they talk to me every day. Coach (Joe) Salave’a (DL) and coach D-Nick (Derek Nicholson – ILB) talk to me every day. They treat me like family. They make me feel like I am at home when I am there or when I am talking to them.”
On the possibility of being in Happy Valley to see the Nittany Lions play this weekend, Marcelin said, “To experience that White Out game. I have seen it on TV, I want to experience it and be in the college atmosphere.”
The Rockets (1-1) hit the air waves against the Lions (4-0) at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.