Illinois Football: Illini offer 2025 multi-sport athlete Nathaniel Marshall
By Zain Bando
Illinois football remains vigilant in recruiting to go along with a successful 2022 campaign.
The Illini are nearing the home stretch of one of the best seasons in recent memory, as the Orange and Blue are ranked No. 16 and joined the opening edition of the College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday night for the first time in school history. At press time, Illinois is 7-1 (4-1 B1G).
Illinois returns to Memorial Stadium for the first time since October 15 to take on Michigan State and in doing so, the staff has been hard at work with recruiting and on-field success.
Just before the end of the month, Illinois extended an offer to Nathaniel Marshall, a 2025 edge rusher from Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Illinois.
Blessed to received another D1 offer from the University of Illinois🔹🔸 @BretBielema @CoachJamison @PrepRedzoneIL @247recruiting @LemmingReport @EDGYTIM @hsfbscout @Rivals_Clint @michaelsobrien @PRZJordan pic.twitter.com/nkWGSIs9fO
— Nathaniel Marshall (@AllNateMarshall) October 31, 2022
According to 247Sports, the 6-foot-4, 240-pounder, is an unranked prospect. However, the Friars finished 4-6 (2-2 in CCL/ESCC White), losing in the first round of the playoffs to Morgan Park, 14-6. While Marshall’s season didn’t result in a state championship berth, there is a lot to be excited about with the offer.
Bret Bielema has been restoring the Illinois recruiting timeline since he was hired 23 months ago. Prior to the game against Iowa, The Daily Illini reported that a plethora of recruits would be visiting campus, including several in-state players. This is a positive for Marshall considering that he could have several teammates eventually join him in Champaign.
What does Nathaniel Marshall bring to the Illinois football program?
Considering that Marshall’s recruitment is still early, it’s hard to judge whether or not Illinois will be his final landing spot. However, he does bring in a lot of intangibles that Bielema has to consider.
Weeks 1-4 Highlights🙌🏾 @FenwickFB @247recruiting @EDGYTIM @LemmingReport @PrepRedzoneIL @hsfbscout @Rivals_Clint @SWiltfong247 @CraigHaubert @JoshHelmholdt pic.twitter.com/qgZwSLKi9N
— Nathaniel Marshall (@AllNateMarshall) October 13, 2022
In a game against Kaneland High School, Marshall assisted in a sack of the quarterback. While he wasn’t fully credited, his speed and agility are immediately apparent, along with his intimidating presence at the line of scrimmage.
It will be interesting to see how Marshall’s stock rises in the coming years.
Next. Illinois Football: Everything the Illini need to make the College Football Playoff. dark