Recruiting Update Interview with 3-Star 2021 LB Marco Notarainni
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The 2019 season was a breakthrough campaign for Class of 2021 California linebacker/running back Marco Notarainni. Notarainni neared the 100-tackle mark with nine tackles for a loss, three sacks, two picks, and forced a fumble in Torrey Pines’ 4-4 base defense. On offense, the 6-4, 225-pound, athlete was an all-purpose talent rushing 28 times for 107 yards with two trips into the end zone and hauled in 10 passes for 114 yards with another score. Once the season ended, Notarainni had earned first team All-Avocado League at linebacker and was an All-Academic Scholar Athlete carrying a cumulative 4.25 for his junior year. The hard work in the classroom and on the field has brought 13 offers to the table for Notarainni.
In an RNG stylized Q&A, Notarainni sat down covering ground on his 2019 season, offseason workouts, and recruiting process.
Interview
Marco, your junior campaign was a big one, especially on defense nearing the 100-tackle milestone. What was working for you throughout the 2019 season allowing for the big production?
I went out and played, and my coaches prepared me extremely well. It was technique and watching film. Coming down to it, I was rallying to the football and getting in on as many tackles as I could. That is where I had my best games on defense and why I had an insane amount of tackles, I was trying to get in on every play.
What scheme were the Falcons running a year ago and what were your responsibilities within the defense?
Our base defense is a 4-4, Cover 3. We usually don’t run that unless it is a run-heavy team. We go two high safeties, four down, and three linebackers. In the Cover 3, I am an inside linebacker. If I am not there, I am at outside linebacker on the strongside. This upcoming season the coaches will try to move me around a lot for the offense we are playing to make them guess where I am. My position has been on the strongside or at middle backer.
How do you feel your overall game improved last season?
I definitely made more plays, that is obvious with my stats. My overall understanding of the scheme and my football IQ spiked more last season. I felt like I also took on a leadership role, but to do that I needed to know more than playing outside linebacker. That changed with me and helped out a lot. I got bigger and my speed and instincts improved as well.
This next question, I have to ask. As a former player, I can only imagine the positive ribbing you took on your interception last season. You took it back some 51 yards but ran out of gas… did you get teased for not taking that back to the house during the film review?
(Laughs) Yeah, I did. Not going to make any excuses, I should have pulled away, but I had strep throat in that game. Everything was a blur; I was just trying to make it through the game. It looked like my legs were shot. Hopefully when I get that same opportunity this year I will take it home.
That makes sense that you were sick on that play. You had that burst and then you were gassed. Next question. During the 2019 season you got meaningful snaps out of the backfield behind two senior tailbacks. With Helfrich and Lewis graduated, will we see more of you carrying the rock in 2020?
I hope so. We got a new offensive coordinator for this season; I will have to earn respect and prove myself to him. I have talked to him a few times about playing running back. It would be great to play running back this season. But if he thinks someone else can do it better, I will block. I am fine with that.
What other role on offense might you take in 2020?
Fullback and tight end, or whatever position they think I am best at I will do.
What have you been working on with your game on offense this offseason?
I have always had really good hands, catching has never been a huge problem. This offseason I have been working on my speed, and I need to keep the same weight. Speed and footwork – been working on that a ton. Hopefully that will show up on film this season when we get back to it.
Going to the other side of the ball, what have you focused on as a defender this spring and summer?
If you talk to my linebacker coach, he will give you a long list. He is a perfectionist, and I am lucky to have him. My hand speed and blitzing could improve. Footwork and speed go hand in hand.
Going into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
Recently, Boise State, Cal, and Stanford have been showing interest. That is all I know from what my coach has told me. Everything has been kind of on hold with the virus. It has been frustrating.
Which schools have offered you?
All the Ivy leagues expect Dartmouth, and offers from Army, Oregon State, San Diego State, UNLV, Utah State, and Washington State.
Once the season ended, did you get to take any unofficial visits?
I went to Cal for a Junior Day; that was the only one I was able to go to. My coach has done a really good job of pulling coaches to our school to talk to us in person.
Tell me about the Cal visit. How did it go and what did you do?
It was great. Cal has a beautiful campus and a great program. They are doing a great job building everything up again. I got to see my former teammate, (OL) Brian Driscoll, and hung out with him. I toured the campus, saw facilities, and went to a position meeting. The visit was good. I talked to players and asked questions. It was really good.
Once the opportunity arises, are there any planned visits on the schedule or visits you’d like to take?
Everything considered, I would take an east coast trip to check out some of the Ivy League schools showing interest and to the schools that have offered. I will walk around San Diego State doing my own tour. I’ll get a map and see the best spots to visit on campus. That visit I plan to do soon.
When you make your final decision on a program and school, what does the ideal fit look like to you?
I really like having that back net with an education; football will not carry me forever. Education is important so I can go out with that education where I can provide for myself and my future family. Another thing that is important is a culture of winning. You can pick up the sense of which schools want you and the recruiters that care for you, that is important to me. It is not the biggest factor, but I want a big stage. That is what college football is about, representing your city and school.
Going into the classroom, what is your cumulative GPA and/or what did you end up with for your junior year?
I finished my second semester with a 4.33 and in my first semester I was at a 4.17. Overall, for my junior year I was at a 4.25. My worst academic year was my freshman year, I got a couple of Bs.
Last question for you. What goals have you set for the 2020 season?
Last year, I could have been a better leader for the team. I learned a ton from my mistakes, and I went to be a better leader. I want to make more of an impact on offense and keep doing my thing on defense and run the stats up. On defense, I want to beat 98 tackles if I can and win games.
Great goals to have set. Marco, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your workouts this summer until we talk again.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Notarainni family; Marco Notarainni at Cal (Feb. 2020) and Stanford (Nov. 2019)