NEWEST LANCER TIGHT END MARSHALL COMMITS TO PLAY AT MICHIGAN

After transferring from Santa Fe Christian to Carlsbad High for his senior season, tight end Zack Marshall demonstrated excellent judgment for where he announced his college destination: That Pizza Place, owned by Lancers head coach Thadd Macneal.

In front of a packed crowd and plenty of pepperoni, Marshall stood behind a table with three college hats (Utah, Michigan and Cal), picked up the yellow one with the block Michigan M, and said, “For the next three to five years, I’ll be attending the University of Michigan.”

The ovation was so loud you’d have thought Macneal declared free pie for all.

As for why Michigan, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Marshall said, “Just a combination of everything, academics, athletics. If I were to stop playing football, I would love to say I graduated with a degree from Michigan.”

As a junior at Santa Fe Christian, which operates a wing-t running attack, Marshall showcased an ability to catch the ball and get deep, grabbing 44 passes for 1,012 yards, a 23-yard average. He scored nine touchdowns.

Marshall, who lives in Carlsbad, said he transferred in part because fivestar quarterback Julian Sayin, a junior, plays for the Lancers. Sayin threw for 2,769 yards and 34 touchdowns last season, suffering just five interceptions.

“That quarterback’s pretty good,” said Marshall. “It comes down to I want to be able to play at the next level. The connections Carlsbad has are second to none. And it’s nice to be at my home school. I’ve lived in Carlsbad my whole life. I couldn’t be more grateful.”

While Santa Fe Christian head coach Jon Wallace was disappointed that Marshall transferred — “I think he unfortunately got caught up in the culture is bigger, better thing” — he raved about Marshall as a person and athlete.

“He’s a great kid. He treats others kindly,” Wallace said. “Our campus is unique in that we have (elementary) school through high school (students) interact. He reaches out to be kind, which is not normal for a high school boy who’s kind of a superstar athlete.”

After school, Wallace’s elementary-school-age children would often come into his office and Marshall would help them with math.

As for Marshall’s passcatching skills, Wallace said, “He’s got the best hands I’ve ever seen. Ridiculous.”

Carlsbad is expected to contend for one of the section’s four Open Division playoff berths. The Lancers, though, graduated their best pass catchers so Sayin welcomed Marshall’s arrival. The pair have known each other since Sayin was in seventh grade when the quarterback would work with his position coach and Marshall ran routes.

“What quarterback wouldn’t love adding some weapons to his arsenal?” said Sayin. “He’s a big-body receiver with strong hands. His thing is making a lot of contested catches. He gets separation.”

Marshall admits he’s a catch-first, block-second tight end.

“I’m definitely a guy who’s willing to block and will do everything I can to be the best blocker, but I’m a wideout at heart,” he said. “I played wideout ’til last year when I hit 210 (pounds). Once the weight started packing on, I knew my wideout days were over.”

The San Diego Section football season begins with a full slate of games Friday.

Other senior players who have committed to four-year schools include: Lincoln running back Roderick Robinson (UCLA); Scripps Ranch quarterback Jax Leatherwood (Nevada); St. Augustine offensive lineman Misael Sandoval (San Diego State); University City tight end Cayden Dawson (Boise State); Mater Dei linebacker Tre Edwards (UCLA); Mater Dei DB/WR Surahz Buncom (Kansas); Cathedral Catholic defensive back Marcus Radcliffe (San Diego State); and Lincoln linebacker Chris Fewell (San Diego State).