By Tyler Hendrickson
With each game he plays, Millikan senior Malik Marquetti is raising his profile and causing a growing number of college coaches to inquire about his services.
Marquetti has gone from a talented, under-the-radar recruit to a national target. Schools from nearly all the major conferences, including the Pac-12, ACC, SEC, Big Ten and Big XII have inquierd about Marquetti. Coaches from USC and Florida State were in attendance at last Saturday’s win over Tesoro and saw Marquetti score 29 points and grab 12 rebounds.
Head coach Chris Francis called Marquetti “the best unsigned player on the west coast” and confirmed coaches from Vanderbilt, Oregon and Gonzaga were at recent practices. He also said Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo has called about the 6-foot-6 wing and, according to Cal-Hi Sports’ Ronnie Flores, Kansas will be out to see Marquetti this week.
“It’s a great feeling knowing that hard work pays off,” Marquetti said about the extra recruiting attention. “It makes me want to play harder knowing the coaches are here watching.
“I mean, I always played hard but it’s just extra motivation.”
When asked what his offer list had grown to, Marquetti simply smiled and said, “A lot.”
New offers, accolades >> Cornerback Iman Marshall of Long Beach Poly is one of the top junior football players in the nation, and the good news continues to roll in.
Last week he received scholarship offers from Stanford and Ohio State, just a week after getting an offer from LSU. Marshall also was named Fox Sports’ All-CIF-SS Defensive Player of the Year.
Penny update >> Norwalk’s talented senior running back spent this past weekend checking out San Diego State.
“It was great, I had a lot of fun,” Penny said. “The people were really cool out there, they really love football and that’s what I like.”
Penny also will visit Washington on Jan. 17 and will talk to former Boise State head coach Chris Petersen, who’s now coaching the Huskies.
Penny once was interested in Boise State, but did not end up taking his scheduled visit there the weekend following Petersen’s departure.
Davis commits to Cal >> Defensive tackle David Davis gave a verbal commitment to Cal last week.
He originally signed with Washington State out of high school, but now will play his final two seasons with the Golden Bears.
St. John Bosco Update >> St. John Bosco star Jaleel Wadood made a verbal commitment to UCLA, making the Bruins his hometown choice over USC.
Standout linebacker and Washington State commit Chandler Leniu received an offer from Cal on Sunday and fellow defensive starters Christian Holland and Ivan Martinez are getting several looks.
Luatua Notre Dame-bound >> La Mirada tight end Tyler Luatua, considered one of the best tight end prospects in the nation, committed to Notre Dame on Monday.
Luatua picked the Fighting Irish over Alabama and several other top universities.
Gardenhire switches >> Cabrillo defensive back Darren Gardenhire changed his commitment from Washington State to Washington on Monday.
Gardenhire posted a photo to his Instagram page with the Washington logo, including the following caption: “Proud To announce my Last and Final Commitment to the University of Washington. Thank god for this Opportunity and Chance to be apart of Husky Nation #GoDawgs!”