Recruiting: Tars’ Marshall commits to Montana

Barry Faulkner

NEWPORT BEACH - Jeff Marshall, the starting center last year as a

junior for the Newport Harbor High football team, said Tuesday he has

verbally committed to accept a football scholarship from the University

of Montana.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pounder said he visited the Montana campus in late

July and committed to Grizzlies coaches a week later.

“The school really went with what I was looking for in a college and

they have a great football program,” Marshall said.

Marshall said Montana took the initiative in the recruiting process,

while other schools had made only preliminary contact through mailings.

“I didn’t want to wait (for potential offers following his upcoming

senior season), because everything felt right. It feels good to have the

decision made. All the stress is gone and I can focus on this season.”

Marshall, who started all 14 games last year for the CIF Southern

Section Division VI runners-up, said Montana coaches have indicated

they’d like him to play center in college.

Marshall, whom Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley estimated could

easily bulk up to 280 pounds, said he has gained close to 40 pounds since

he was a sophomore.

Marshall, who lived in Idaho for two years, said he is no stranger to

the harsh weather in Missoula.

Marshall becomes the second Sailor to earn a scholarship from the

reigning Big Sky Conference champion, a perennial NCAA Division II

playoff participant which lost in the Division II national title game

last year. Alan Saenz, a two-time All-CIF middle linebacker who graduated

last spring, will compete for playing time on the defensive line this

fall.