Fenwick

Illinois

player headshot

Football

Nathaniel Marshall's original plan was to star as a basketball player. His mother Khara played at DePaul, and his uncle, Ken Norman, played at Illinois before enjoying a lengthy career in the NBA. But during a summer math enrichment class before his freshman year, a chance conversation with his teacher influenced Marshall to come out for football. “The first day that Nate walked into the classroom, I knew he was someone I needed to get on the football field,” Dominic Bolton, the teacher who also happens to be a coach on Fenwick’s freshman team, told the Journal of Oak Park and River Forest. "The first reason was mainly because of his size; he towered over all the freshmen. Every day I would ask Nate, ‘What are your thoughts on playing football?’ His response was, ‘I’ll think about it.’ On the last day of class I told him, ‘I’ll see you at the first practice.’ He didn’t say anything, looked at me, and smiled when walking out. Sure enough, he showed up the first day of practice, and the legend of Nate Marshall began.” During the 2023 season, Marshall was named his league's defensive player of the year after recording 38 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, 13 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles and four blocked kicks. On offense, he had four touchdown receptions.

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