2021 Nova University School OT Marcus Tate took on a stacked field of older and more seasoned competition out at Paradise Camp two weekends back. And Tate didn’t look out of place, registering as one of the top OL’s in attendance and showing off great footwork and an advanced build for a rising sophomore in high school.
“It was good. I really enjoyed working with Coach Searels,” Tate said on Paradise. “It was good just getting in reps, getting better. I feel like I got better tonight. The experience out here is crazy, I really liked it.”
Although Paradise was chalked full of talent up and down the roster, it seemed like defensive line was particularly loaded. Tate named two defensive ends he felt were the toughest to go against, which included a recent UM commit.
“Probably Chantz Williams or Donell Harris,” Tate said. “I’ve played AAU basketball with Donell Harris. That’s my dude right there.”
A big draw of Paradise Camp is how so many Hurricanes’ legends come out to impart some wisdom to the young prospects and try and give them tools to be successful. Tate says he got the most out of his time with his position coach, Bryant McKinnie.
“Bryant McKinnie, he actually helped me out a lot,” Tate said on the former Miami offensive tackle. “He told me some stuff that I could work on. It was a real blessing to meet him, you know you get a little star struck.”
After the camp was over, Tate got some personal attention from Miami head coach Mark Richt, showing that despite his young age, he is a recruit the Hurricanes truly desire.
“Yeah actually I just talked to him before I left,” Tate said. “I told him I really appreciated it having me out here and inviting me to this camp. I told him it was a great experience and I’ll be back here again soon.”
As only a rising sophomore, the 6’5” 265 pound lineman has plenty of time to come to a college decision and is in no rush to make a choice. While Tate claims no frontrunners in his recruitment as of now, he does specify who has been in touch with him the most.
“Right now, LSU, Auburn, Georgia, and Texas A&M,” Tate said. “Those are the schools right now that are recruiting me the hardest aside from Miami.”
In recruiting they say to “follow the visits” to figure out where a prospect is likely leaning. In terms of setting up game day trips to schools this season, Tate outlined his projected visit schedule and the Hurricanes will likely be included multiple times.
“I’m trying to come to a couple of Miami games this year,” Tate said. “I will definitely be coming down for the Miami vs FSU game in October. Probably another game before that one too. I’m trying to go to LSU vs Auburn and LSU vs Alabama. Maybe a Georgia game too.”
In terms of his U. School team, Tate gets to play with some pretty talented players on a daily basis. One such guy is senior RB Kenny McIntosh, who many consider a Miami-lean, and Tate elaborated on what his relationship is like with the 4-star back.
“Yeah, we’re close. That’s my running back,” Tate said on McIntosh. “So, it’s a big thing for us that we’re cool with each other, because I’m blocking for him on game day.”
U. School will also be welcoming a new quarterback this season and Tate believes he’s ready to start piquing UM’s interest.
“Oh yeah, Nick Vattiato! You guys should come check him out,” Tate said on the 2021 QB. “He needs this offer, it’s the home team, you know?”
(Geo assisted in conducting this interview)
“It was good. I really enjoyed working with Coach Searels,” Tate said on Paradise. “It was good just getting in reps, getting better. I feel like I got better tonight. The experience out here is crazy, I really liked it.”
Although Paradise was chalked full of talent up and down the roster, it seemed like defensive line was particularly loaded. Tate named two defensive ends he felt were the toughest to go against, which included a recent UM commit.
“Probably Chantz Williams or Donell Harris,” Tate said. “I’ve played AAU basketball with Donell Harris. That’s my dude right there.”
A big draw of Paradise Camp is how so many Hurricanes’ legends come out to impart some wisdom to the young prospects and try and give them tools to be successful. Tate says he got the most out of his time with his position coach, Bryant McKinnie.
“Bryant McKinnie, he actually helped me out a lot,” Tate said on the former Miami offensive tackle. “He told me some stuff that I could work on. It was a real blessing to meet him, you know you get a little star struck.”
After the camp was over, Tate got some personal attention from Miami head coach Mark Richt, showing that despite his young age, he is a recruit the Hurricanes truly desire.
“Yeah actually I just talked to him before I left,” Tate said. “I told him I really appreciated it having me out here and inviting me to this camp. I told him it was a great experience and I’ll be back here again soon.”
As only a rising sophomore, the 6’5” 265 pound lineman has plenty of time to come to a college decision and is in no rush to make a choice. While Tate claims no frontrunners in his recruitment as of now, he does specify who has been in touch with him the most.
“Right now, LSU, Auburn, Georgia, and Texas A&M,” Tate said. “Those are the schools right now that are recruiting me the hardest aside from Miami.”
In recruiting they say to “follow the visits” to figure out where a prospect is likely leaning. In terms of setting up game day trips to schools this season, Tate outlined his projected visit schedule and the Hurricanes will likely be included multiple times.
“I’m trying to come to a couple of Miami games this year,” Tate said. “I will definitely be coming down for the Miami vs FSU game in October. Probably another game before that one too. I’m trying to go to LSU vs Auburn and LSU vs Alabama. Maybe a Georgia game too.”
In terms of his U. School team, Tate gets to play with some pretty talented players on a daily basis. One such guy is senior RB Kenny McIntosh, who many consider a Miami-lean, and Tate elaborated on what his relationship is like with the 4-star back.
“Yeah, we’re close. That’s my running back,” Tate said on McIntosh. “So, it’s a big thing for us that we’re cool with each other, because I’m blocking for him on game day.”
U. School will also be welcoming a new quarterback this season and Tate believes he’s ready to start piquing UM’s interest.
“Oh yeah, Nick Vattiato! You guys should come check him out,” Tate said on the 2021 QB. “He needs this offer, it’s the home team, you know?”
(Geo assisted in conducting this interview)
