One of the top running backs in the state of Georgia has the Vols as one of his top teams moving forward in his recruitment.
Jo’Quavious Marks is four-star running back who plays for Carver High School in Atlanta. He released a list of his top 10 schools, and Tennessee made the cut along with nine other programs. Marks holds two dozen offers from various FBS teams.
Thanks to all the coaches that gave me a opportunity!! ?? @ChadSimmons_ @MattDeBary @Rivals pic.twitter.com/LBYecV9mGZ
— Joquavious marks (@JoquaviousMarks) April 8, 2019
According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Marks is the No. 135 overall player and No. 12 running back in the 2020 class. He’s the No. 14 player in the state of Georgia, and he’s the second-highest rated running back in the state.
Marks has already visited Tennessee once this year, and another visit isn’t out of the question. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound back visited the Vols for a Junior Day event on January 26th, and he attended a camp on UT’s campus last summer. He’s also recently visited Alabama, Florida State, and Mississippi State in 2019.
It’s rare for a back Marks’ size to be both fast and tough, but that’s exactly what he is. Marks has some breakaway speed and has reportedly run the 40-yard dash in around 4.4 seconds. That speed shows on the field, as he outruns defenders with ease and blows by defensive linemen and linebackers to get to the second and third levels of the defense. Not only is he capable of blazing by defenders, but Marks is also slippery and not easy to tackle. He has good footwork and fluid hips.
Marks has put up some eye-popping numbers in his high school career thus far. As a junior, Marks totaled 1,500 rushing yards and nine scores on 140 carries according to MaxPreps. In his three years at Carver, Marks has amassed 4,872 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns on just 452 carries, giving him an average of 10.8 yards per carry. He’s also caught 12 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown in his three years at Carver.
Tennessee picked up a commitment last week from a running back from Georgia already. Three-star running back Ebony Jackson pledged his commitment to the Vols while attending their scrimmage last weekend. Interestingly, both Jackson and Marks’ teams faced-off during the 2018 high school football season last year. Kell High School — where Jackson plays — routed Carver by a score of 48-8 to end the regular season.
Tennessee is in a good spot with Marks, and he’s one of the Vols’ top targets at running back in the 2020 class. UT will likely try to sign at least a couple running backs this cycle, and Marks is a realistic option to join Jackson in this class.
