Bradley Central’s Goree is area’s No. 4 overall prospect
While Josh Heupel has become noted for building one of the top offenses in the country, the University of Tennessee head coach and his staff recruited Marcus Goree Jr. to be a part of a dynamic future defense led by in-state products.
The Bradley Central senior safety is one of six in-state Class of 2024 prospects committed to the Vols, who currently rank No. 7 in the On3. com national recruiting ranks.
Five of those six are known for making big plays on the defensive side of the ball, including Lipscomb Academy’s Kaleb Beasley and Edwin Spillman, McCallie’s Carson Gentle and Bradley Central’s Goree as well as Boo Carter — who is likely to play offense in college but has also been a game-changer on defense.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Goree comes in at No. 4 on the Times Free Press Dynamite Baker’s Dozen after recording 54 tackles (12 for loss), 11 pass break ups, two interceptions (one for a 70-yard score) and a sack in his junior season. He has 130 stops and seven interceptions in three seasons with the Bears.
“What stands out the most about Marcus are his instincts,” Bradley Central coach Damon Floyd said. “He just has a knack for making plays and always being around the ball. He’s fast and long and is a real student of the game.
“He is extremely strong but he’s still skinny, so I think he can carry 210 pounds easy and not lose any speed. He has the length they like at corner, but he’ll have size — and he loves contact — to play safety. Wherever they put him, he’s going to make plays.”
Goree has also starred as a kick and punt returner for the Bears with his blazing 4.45 second 40-yard dash speed. He also has a 40-inch vertical, which makes throwing the ball anywhere near him a bad idea. Many teams prefer to attack other areas of the field where Goree is not present.
Opposing running backs and quarterbacks are also at risk, as Goree has great timing off the edge to get a running start at causing chaos in the backfield, and is also a sure tackler in space.
He is a consensus 4-star prospect, who On3.com rated as high as the No. 252 overall prospect in the nation
as well as the 25th best defensive back in the class, and fifth best instate prospect. Goree ultimately chose Tennessee over Colorado earlier this year.
One of his favorite memories was a middle school game in which he had five sacks for Ocoee Middle School in a win against Lake Forest.
“I am really inspired to be great for my family,” said Goree, whose younger brother Mason has received an SEC football offer from Vanderbilt heading into his junior season. “They show me a lot of support. I wanted to play college football close to home so they can come watch me play. My teammates and coaches also drive me to be my best on the field. I don’t want to let them down. If you stay humble and keep working, really good things can happen.”