4-star Marquise Lightfoot’s excitement level rising after visiting for Texas A&M win
After watching Miami dominate in a 48-33 win over Texas A&M Saturday afternoon, Chicago (Ill.) Kenwood Academy four-star EDGE / commitment Marquise Lightfoot is more excited than ever to get down to Coral Gables and become a part of what Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal and his staff are building come January.
“That made me more excited to get on the field,” Lightfoot told CaneSport. “I’ll be an early enrollee in January, so it just puts more of a vision in my head of what I’ll be doing when I get here and where the team is going.”
Leading up to the contest, the No. 63 overall prospect and the No. 5 in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking expected a strong showing from Miami, and the team delivered.
After watching the Hurricanes throughout the spring and fall, Lightfoot had the utmost confidence in Miami’s players and coaching staff.
“I expected a win,” Lightfoot said. “With the coaches recruiting the right players and coaching them the right way, they had no other choice but to win.”
Following the big game, Lightfoot has high expectations for the program moving forward throughout the remainder of the 2023 season.
“This team can go as far as their hard work takes them,” Lightfoot said. “I expect to see them in the playoffs because of the way they’re playing. They’re handling business.”
Lightfoot remains locked in with the Hurricanes
Since his pledge to Miami in July, the 6-foot-5, 220-pounder has continued to strengthen and grow his relationship with both the coaches and current Hurricane players.
“I’ve just kept growing with them and getting closer as a family,” Lightfoot said. “I’m constantly building relationships across the staff and the team. I’m happy I found a true family.”
Although a handful of programs have continued to express interest in Lightfoot, he has no plans on backing out of his commitment and is ready to be a Hurricane.
“No,” Lightfoot said when asked if he had plans to visit other schools. “I’m shutting it down.”
As a college recruit
Explosive EDGE prospect who stands out due to his athleticism and effort level on Friday nights. Measured in at over 6-foot-5, 220 pounds prior to his senior season. Has solid length for the position. A twitchy, quick athlete who turned in strong marks with his change of direction in the combine setting. Parlays that burst onto the field. Lines up both as a traditional defensive end and as a stand up pass rusher. Makes eye-popping plays in backside pursuit. Tracks down ball carriers from behind, making high-level individual plays. Shows good first step quickness, darting into the backfield. Takes on blocks and works to hold his ground as a run defender. Plays with intensity and a high effort level. Productive as a junior, tallying 122 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 9 sacks. Also plays tight end, where he made some big plays as a pass-catcher. Will need to hone his pass rush technique at the next level as he is making most of his plays with pure athleticism and effort. Does not look to have an overly large frame, but has solid size at 220 pounds. Younger for the class with an April birthday.
CaneSport’s take
The big win on Saturday helped solidify Lightfoot in his Miami commitment. The Illinois native was elated leaving Hard Rock Stadium Saturday night and is now counting down the days until he can officially become a Miami Hurricane.
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