In this installment of the Recruit Notebook, we meet a tough, physical WR who isn’t afraid to make the tough catches needed to help a team win: WR Marquez Ezzard.

Bio

Early in the 2018 recruiting cycle, Stockbridge (GA) WR Marquez Ezzard was a high level target for the Miami Hurricanes. A big WR at 6’3” 215lb, Ezzard’s combination of size, strength, and playmaking ability were very interesting to the Canes.

For his part, Ezzard was interested in Miami, and said as much at camps and combines. But, a funny thing happened: he committed to FSU. Miami had fallen off a bit in his recruitment, and former FSU coach Jimbo Fisher pushed hard to get Ezzard in the Noles’ class, and that push paid off.

Ezzard, and all-state player in Georgia, had a strong senior season, but his recruitment was all over the place. With the tire-fire that happened in Tallahassee this season, Ezzard decommitted from FSU, and immediately Miami made him a target once more. Ole Miss was the other team that heavily pursued Ezzard following his decommittment, but the relationship with Miami, one that dates back a couple years at least, was enough to get Ezzard to sign with the Canes.

Recruiting Ranking

On the 247sports composite, Ezzard is a 3-star prospect, the #19 WR in this class, #39 in the State of Georgia, and #345 recruit overall.

Ezzard committed to Miami over named finalist Ole Miss and a robust offer list that included 26 other teams, including Florida State (to whom he was once committed), Oregon, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, and Ohio State, among others.

Ezzard as a Player

The thing that stands out about Ezzard as a player is the physical nature with which he plays. He’s a big WR at 6’3” 215lbs, and he uses his size to great advantage. Ezzard is great at attacking the ball at the point of the catch, often fighting through tight coverage to come away with the ball.

Ezzard is also good at adjusting to the ball once its been thrown, and uses his body to position himself for the catch. Ezzard is a natural pass catcher and rarely “fights the ball”. This is a good thing, and several other top end recruits who have gone to other schools in recent years aren’t as natual of pass catchers as Ezzard.

While Ezzard is big and physical, he struggles to create separation due to his average speed. Many of his catches are contested because, well, they have to be. You won’t see Ezzard go blazing by DBs, but that’s not his game so that’s okay. Still, that limits the routes he’ll be able to run at Miami, because without the speed that Jeff Thomas or Mike Harley have, Ezzard will have to find room to operate in the intermediate passing game.

Strengths

• Size
• Physical build
• Consistent hands

Weaknesses

• Average (at best) speed
• Lack of separation
• Limited route potential (based on speed)

2018 Outlook

Ezzard brings a new dimension to the Miami WR corps. Along with TE Brevin Jordan, Ezzard should be able to find room to operate in the intermediate passing game. Additionally, his size is ready-made to be a devastating blocker on the edge.

Chance for a redshirt: 5/10

Ezzard could see the field right away, but he could just as easily redshirt. After 2 solid recruiting classes, and with superstar Ahmmon Richards coming into his junior season, Miami’s WR corps is LOADED. Ezzard could find it a niche this season, or he could be the odd man out. Either way, his future is bright, and Miami is a better team with him in the fold, even if Ezzard doesn’t play until 2019.

That’s it for this installment of the recruit notebook.

Go Canes