Marcus Spears

1/8/01: verbal to LSU

11/16: "Marcus does not intend to merely dabble at "hoops" or moonlight as a college basketball player. Marcus told ACC Recruiting last night that he enjoys competing in each sport and expects to pursue both at the college level. Indeed, his current list- LSU, Miami, Texas A&M, FSU, Florida, Wake Forest, and Georgia Tech- reflects Marcus' passion for both sports in that most of the aforementioned schools have enjoyed a measure of football and basketball success at one time or another. Although the Charles Barkley comparisons proved a bit premature, Marcus is hardly a gravity bound, slow-footed "space-eater" on the court. Despite his 260+ frame, Marcus covers 40 yards in the neighborhood of 4.7- 4.8 seconds and, while he is by no means a "sky-walker", his legs produce more than adequate "bounce". Marcus is most suited for work in the trenches with his back to the basket, but the Louisiana native is equipped with the necessary agility and skill to occasionally "face up" and operate away from the paint. A solid student, Marcus achieved a qualifying score of 18 on the ACT and as a result, he is free to evaluate schools this winter without academic concerns hanging over his head. LSU, Texas A&M, and Miami are the leaders at this juncture according to Marcus." - ACC Recruiting Update

9/27: "His appearance is similar to former All-Pro NFL tight end Keith Jackson, with the huge torso, thick legs and wide body that maximizes every stitch of his designer sweatshirt. Being 6'5 and 275 pounds of muscle wasn't always the case for Spears, as his dad, Pete, says "Yeah, he was a fat boy, back when he was younger." "In fact, they used to have pick up games down at the local playground and he never got picked at all." My, how times have changed. Spears, now a high school senior, is one of the top ranked football
players in the nation and is one heck of a basketball prospect as well. His huge hands, size 15 feet and strong body is almost too intimidating to ask any kid on the basketball court to defend. On the football field, he resembles an NFL player seemingly running through eleven jockeys from the Kentucky Derby, they all seem to bounce off of his shoulders as he rumbles his way into the end zone. His maximum bench press is in excess of 350 pounds, yet he retains enough agility and speed to run a very impressive 4.7 40 yard dash. Virtually every powerhouse football program and many high profile basketball programs seek the services of Spears and he's down to
seven, according to his dad. Florida, LSU, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Miami, UCLA and Texas A&M. That's the list, at least the only programs who stand a chance with "the Tank," as we have dubbed him. On the basketball court, Spears surprises many with his quick feet and ability to leap high for some powerful dunks. A feat that is pretty remarkable considering his size. His effectiveness in the paint is due to his strength and soft touch around the basket. He impressed many scouts, coaches and media personalities this summer touring with the Houston Hoops summer team, along with super point guard Carlos Hurt, who is bound for Louisville. Yet, basketball plays second fiddle to the shoulder pads, helmets and outdoor trenches of football. "Football is going to be his main focus (for a scholarship) though," says Pete Spears, "and he will walk on to the basketball team." "Weather is important to him as well as how the offensive will run." Noticeably, all of the schools on Spears list have warm climate, basically year-round. - High Major Hoops

8/3: "He intends to play both sports throughout his college career, and football and basketball coaches from Texas, Texas A&M, Louisiana State, Miami, UCLA and Georgia Tech are recruiting him accordingly."

"He's such a great athlete," Houston Hoops coach Josh Pastner said Thursday. "He's so light on his feet and graceful. And, even with his weight, he's in great shape. This summer, he's been so hard for people to try to guard. If a taller player is on him, he's too quick and will dribble past him. If you try to put a smaller player on him, he'll just go inside and overpower him. He's probably the most difficult individual matchup in high school basketball." - FoxSports article

http://www.foxsports.com/columns/stories/hs0803burlison1.sml

7/28: "one of the best all-around athletes in the country weighed in at an unbelievable 288 pounds at the adidas ABCD Camp a couple of weeks ago. Spears, a combo forward in basketball and a tight end in football, had been listed at 260. Border Wars Hoops wanted to know. "Marcus weighs 275 pounds", says the father of one of the best athlete's in the entire country, Marcus Spears (Baton Rouge, LA - Southern Lab H.S.). "At that adidas camp, they weighed Marcus when he had a couple of layers of clothes and had his pockets filled with keys, change and other stuff." I'm not going to argue with Mr. Spears because I've seen Marcus plenty this summer, and regardless of what he weighs, he is extremely nifty on his feet. He compares very favorably to a young Charles Barkley, when he was the "Round Mound of Rebound" at Auburn. Like Barkley, Spears can play both forward positions equally well because his perimeter game is almost as good as his ferocious game in the paint. The 6-foot-6 Spears will be featured on the Countdown to Signing Day Preseason Football Special at the end of August. The highlights I have of Spears, a tight end, catching passes are simply incredible. Without question, he is the best tight end in the South, and most football gurus say he is also the best in the nation. He is also a devastating pass rusher on the defensive line. Spears faces an interesting dilemma. His basketball play this summer has put him in Border Wars Hoops Top 30 players in the country. He is being highly recruited to play both sports. There is a great chance that Marcus will play both, but most coaches prefer that he choose one. That may not be fair to Spears, but rarely can an athlete maintain a "superstar pace" in basketball and football because the seasons overlap. Playing football and baseball together is much easier because the seasons are so far apart. Putting hoops in the equation makes it much tougher. If anyone can do it, however, Spears could be the man ! Several big-time schools are all over him right now, but most insiders feel that the homestate LSU Tigers will battle with Florida to get Spears. Texas A&M, Texas, Florida State, Duke and several other great schools still hold out hopes they can land Spears. He will sign a football scholarship on National Signing Day in early February. That is very attractive to would-be suitors in hoops because the basketball coaches basically get a free ride if their school gets Spears. With scholarships being at such a premium these days, that is huge. One advantage that Florida and everyone else competing against LSU has, is the fact that Marcus is signing late. If the Tigers have another 3-8 record in football, Spears may decide he wants to play football for a winner. I know LSU fans are hoping that Nick Saban turns the Tiger football program around in a hurry because Marcus Spears is one athlete that you want on your college campus....regardless of sport ! " - Border Wars Hoops

7/28: "a 6'5" 270 pound power forward from Louisiana has had an outstanding summer on the basketball court. Spears is widely regarded as the number one tight end on the football field and some even say he is the best offensive player in all of High School Football. Spears told us he really likes Miami of Florida and Georgia Tech for basketball and football. LSU is still high on his list and Texas A&M, Michigan, UCLA and Florida round out his list." - The Recruiting Beat

7/26: "Anyone who doubts that, even at about 280 pounds, he isn't one of the Top 30 or so prospects in this senior class didn't see him overwhelm everyone but Mickey Mouse from Saturday morning until Monday night. If he is in fact a better football prospect than basketball player, he'll be an All-Pro tight end for about 12 years." - Frank Burlison, FoxSports

7/25: "One player that I just have to mention is 6'5 280 lb Marcus Spears from Baton Rouge, LA. Spears is listed as one of the top Football players in the country and is considered a future Pro in that sport. But let me say he is a top notch basketball player too. His 26 pt, 21 rebound game yesterday made me a true believer in Spears ability." - MidWest Hoops

7/23: "a 6-foot-6, 260 pound "small" forward (who is pretty powerful), has had a big summer playing ball for the Houston Hoops. Spears, a 2-sport star from Baton Rouge, LA (Southern Lab), has the luxury of deciding which sport he wants to play on the next level. Many football experts rate Spears as the top tight end prospect in the country. In basketball, he is also a consensus Top 40 player who can basically choose where he wants to go to school. This week at the Nike Peach Jam, Spears made the All-Tournament team which is no small feat considering the large amount of talent that was down in Augusta. Spears is obviously a strong, physical specimen but he also possesses very nimble feet. He runs the floor extremely well and has a nice jump shot from 17 feet and in. If Marcus gets the ball in the paint, he almost scores at will. He uses his brawn, quickness and nice footwork to display his array of moves in the paint. Right now, Spears feels he can play both sports in college and I'm not going to be the guy who says he can't. The current leaders for Spears dual services are LSU, Florida and Florida State. His good friend, and fellow 2-sport star, Michael Clayton (wide receiver) has already committed to LSU and is working hard to get his friend to do the same. Arizona (his AAU coach is former Wildcat player Josh Pastner), Duke, UCLA, USC and Rutgers are also still in the running as well. Marcus is a great athlete and person who will be successful in whichever sport he ultimately decides to play." - Border Wars Hoops

7/23: "When I settled in to watch the Houston Hoops team featuring Carlos Hurt and Emaka Okafor, Marcus Spears caught my eye with a rim rattling dunk. So I began to focus on Hurt again, when Spears ripped an offensive rebound, faked, and muscled it up for another dunk. At 6'6", Spears can muscle with the big guys down low, in fact, he dominated bigger guys on this day." - kentucky.rivals

7/23: "This was one of the most impressive players at the tourney. Think of a little shorter Tractor Traylor and you can picture Spears. This kid rebounds, shoots well, and passes like a typical guard. He is about 6'6" and 250lbs at least....what is shocking about Spears is how well he likes playing in the open court and you can see defenders with their 'I'm glad I have my cup on look' when he comes barreling down the floor. I did not see him charge once today and he was quite nimble at finding openings to score." - kentucky.rivals

7/22: "WF Marcus Spears scored 28 points, and his running mate; Carlos Hurt went off for 25 in the Hoops win. Spears simply wouldn't be denied as he aggressively attacked the cup. Hurt on the other hand, drilled long three-pointers and let everyone know how well he was playing; he loves to chatter with his foes. Houston won the game 80-73." - Rivals100Hoops, AAU Showcase notes.

7/17: "Marcus Spears, 6-6/262, Baton Rouge, La./Southern LAB -- Florida State, Penn State, LSU, Florida, Arizona, others (also considering football): Big-time tight end prospect is similar to a young Charles Barkley. His appearance indicates strength, but he is also very mobile." 18th ranked SF in USA - Sporting News, Steve Wacaser

7/16: "At the Nike camp, Florida State coach Steve Robinson was keeping a close eye on 6-6, 262-pound forward Marcus Spears of Baton Rouge, La. Spears also is an elite prospect as a tight end and is considering playing both sports in college. That gives the Seminoles a good chance to land him." DeCourcy, Sporting News

7/12: "One of the strongest player on the basketball court is 6'5 275 pound WF-PF Marcus Spears of Southern Lab in Baton Rouge, LA. Spears is one of the top football prospects in the nation, a tight end that bears a resemblance to former NFL All-Pro Keith Jackson. Spears has decided to put his football scholarship decision as the priority, but also wants to play both sports on the college level. He carries a 2.8 GPA and scored an 18 on his ACT on the first attempt. The big forward is built like Elton Brand, in terms of his big hands, stocky build and broad back, but enjoys playing much of the time on the perimeter. He can really get off the floor, despite the weight and often is seen bursting past defenders to get to the basket. Spears' father, Pete, told HMH that "Texas A&M, LSU, Miami and Georgia Tech" were in pretty good shape with his son, but that a decision is not near." - High Major Hoops

7/11: listed as the 7th best PF at the Nike Camp. - Fastbreak

7/6: Overall Ranking at the NBPA Camp per FastBreak Recruiting: #33

7/6: "LSU, Texas A&M, Texas, Cincinnati, Miami-FL, and Georgia Tech are the favorites for 6'4 Marcus Spears from Baton Rouge (Southern Lab) TX. However, getting Spears may depend upon what school is willing to let him play both football and basketball in college. If you will recall, Spears is also one of the top football prospects in America." - PrepStars

6/24?: At USA Basketball's Development Festival, Marcus finished the 5 games with 14.4 ppg and 5 rpg.

6/15: "Marcus Spears, a WF from Baton Rouge (LA) Southern Lab, is a star on the basketball court. However, he's probably going to go the football route. Spears is the No. 1 ranked tight end in America. - Rivals100