Name: Zack Marshall Height: 6’4″ Weight: 220 lbs. High school: Carlsbad (CA) Carlsbad Position: Tight end Class: Freshman Jersey number: #83 Last year: Marshall was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 23 catches for 284 yards and 5 touchdowns. TTB Rating: 58
Michigan landed Marshall last August, but I didn’t write a commitment post for him until the beginning of February. So I had a chance to view his senior film before writing up my post. He missed a third of his senior year due to transferring schools and having to sit out for four weeks, so his stats don’t represent a full season. But when I watch Marshall, he seems like just an adequate athlete to play tight end in the Big Ten. There’s nothing that really stands out about him, whether it’s his size, speed, hands, athleticism, blocking, etc.
Reports coming out of spring were positive in regards to Marshall. The coaches apparently like his attitude and toughness, so that’s good. But it’s tough to play tight end much as a freshman, especially as someone coming in at 220 pounds. Even though Michigan lost several tight ends last season, Colston Loveland and A.J. Barner should get a majority of the reps, with guys like Matt Hibner, Max Bredeson, and Marlin Klein also mixing in.
Carlsbad (CA) Carlsbad tight end Zack Marshall signed with Michigan in December. Marshall is a 6’4″, 200-pounder who’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #33 athlete, and #541 overall.
REASON FOR THE GRADE: Michigan needed to restock the tight end position in the class of 2023 after suffering heavy losses from the group following the 2022 season. Not only did Erick All (Iowa) and Louis Hansen (UConn) transfer, but second string tight end Luke Schoonmaker departed for the NFL, blocking tight end Joel Honigford ran out of eligibility, and a decent walk-on in Carter Selzer also graduated. All, Schoonmaker, and Honigford all played a ton. Tight end is a position where players typically need at least one season of strength and conditioning development before being relevant, so it’s important to keep a steady string of players coming.
Unfortunately, the Wolverines whiffed on most of their top targets, which is surprising considering how often tight ends are used in Michigan’s offense. Tonielli (4-star, #20 TE, #411 overall) was the tenth highest ranked guy at the position that Michigan offered, and Marshall would be the thirteenth highest ranked offeree if he were listed as a tight end (he’s an “athlete” according to the 247 Composite). Tonielli is really a big receiver being converted to tight end, and Marshall does not look like much of a difference maker when it comes to his athleticism.
Overall, Michigan supplemented its numbers decently at the position, but the talent level drops off. All and Schoonmaker are both NFL-caliber tight ends and Hansen was a well regarded 4-star recruit, though he hadn’t made an impact on the field during his first two seasons; Marshall is not on their level as an athlete, and Tonielli has good upside even if he doesn’t have the body and skills to play immediately. Michigan did take a strong swing at 5-star Nyckoles Harbor, but ultimately, NIL drove Harbor to South Carolina. Massachusetts product Andrew Rappleyea was committed to the Wolverines at one point, but he flipped to Penn State.
Carlsbad (CA) Carlsbad tight end Zack Marshall (image via Twitter)
Carlsbad (CA) Carlsbad tight end Zack Marshall committed to Michigan way back in August 2022. And since I was in the throes of fall camp for football, I didn’t write up a commitment piece at the time . . . and then it slipped my mind until now. Marshall picked Michigan over offers from Arizona, Cal, Utah, and Washington State, among others. He signed with Michigan in December and enrolled in college in January.
Marshall is listed at 6’4″ and 220 lbs. His Hudl profile lists him with a 4.79 forty, a 4.41 shuttle, a 32″ vertical, a 265 lb. bench press, and a squat of 315 lbs. As a senior in 2022, he caught 23 passes for 284 yards and 5 touchdowns.
RANKINGS ESPN: 3-star, 78 grade, #24 TE-H On3: 3-star, 89 grade, #28 TE Rivals: 3-star, 5.7 grade, #28 TE 247 Sports: 3-star, 88 grade, #46 ATH
