CRESTVIEW — Entering the spring evaluation period, Crestview High School senior wide receiver Marquis McClain might have been one of the South's best players nobody ever heard of.
At the timeRivals.com rated him a 2-star prospect — that just fueled his competitive fire.
“It just pushes you more,” McClain said. “I feel like I’m underrated. So I’m working hard and trying to get myself better by going out to these camps and showing up.”
McClain can no longer be considered underrated or flying under the radar. Saturday he accepted a scholarship offer from Auburn University while visiting the campus. In the process he saw his stock rise to a high 3-star prospect.
“I was up there for three days over the weekend and just enjoyed the campus,” he said. “I just like the coaches and all of the players. And they are losing four receivers next year.
“I really thought it was time for me to go ahead and commit because all these other recruits were going ahead and committing already. I like their offense and I like the position (inside and outside receiver) they are going to have me playing.”
Bulldog Coach Tim Hatten was happy for his player.
“It was a good offer for Marquis,” he said. “He’s worked hard. He’s a good player.
“He’s got a lot of talent and a big upside. He hasn’t even reached half of his potential.”
GETTING NOTICED
McClain made a strong showing at The Opening, a New Orleans camp sponsored by Nike, in March. He was named the camp's top receiver as college recruiting services began noticing the 6-foot-2, 205-pound specimen who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds.
In April, he attended another Opening event in Charlotte, N.C., and has been to camps at Southeastern Conference schools the University of Alabama, Auburn University, the University of Georgia, Mississippi State University and the University of Tennessee.
McClain now draws attention from some of the country's top programs. He has scholarship offers from Auburn, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Minnesota and Purdue, just to name a few of the big time schools recruiting him.
Even with his commitment to the Tigers McClain expects more offers to come in throughout the fall.
“It’s been a great experience,” McClain said. “Right now, for me not being known going to these camps, I have to work harder than anybody else to get myself out there. Some of the people can show up and people already know who they are and they can get offers.
“So when I go to these camps, I have to work harder and work as hard as I can.”
TALKING CAMPS
Here's what McClain says about attending camps at the five Southeastern Conference schools.
Alabama:“They are a little different. They get at you one-on-one. Nick Saban (Alabama head coach), I think, is looking for leadership and 'Are you coachable? Can you do what I tell you to do?' ”
Auburn:“Auburn camp was kind of a personal workout. It wasn’t really the camp. He (Auburn receivers coach Dameyune Craig) just wanted to see me run routes and catch the ball."
Mississippi State:“That camp, Coach (Billy Gonzales), the receiver coach, he pushed hard in the cone drill looking at footwork. That’s what he wants you to do.”
Georgia:“There were a lot of great recruits there. The top five receivers and top five (defensive backs) were probably at that camp. What we were doing is battling out to see who was the best of the best.
“Can you get open and separate from the guy defending you? Some of the DBs I didn’t know, and the coaches were coming up to me and saying, 'This guy was ranked so-and-so in the nation and you beat one of the best of the best when you beat him.' ”
Tennessee: “They really have a big stadium (Neyland Stadium). Their camp was sort of like Mississippi State. They focused a lot on the 40-time and the cone drill.
“We did a lot of drills and they focused on footwork and what they told you to do. I do like Tennessee a lot and I’m still trying to build a relationship with Coach Z (Vol wide receiver coach Zach Azzanni), and I’m hoping to get that offer.”
KEEPING OPTIONS OPEN
Although he committed to Auburn, it doesn't mean the recruiting process is entirely over for McClain. He could receive even more offers if he and the Bulldogs have a strong season.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association allows athletes to take five official visits where the host school pays for the trip and unlimited unofficial visits that recruits pay for themselves.
McClain said he’s still likely to take all five official visits, depending on what schools are offering.
National Signing Day isn’t until the first Wednesday in February, so McClain still has plenty of time to see if another school fits him better.
McClain will continue to work hard during his senior season.
“I want to be a lot more physical,” he said. “And my game speed, I want to pick it up.”
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview's McClain commits to Auburn