Keith Marshall: 5 Reasons He Should Head to Notre Dame over Georgia, Florida

College football’s top universities, including Notre Dame, are all vying for the services of Keith Marshall, one of the nation’s top running backs.  Whether their backfields are stocked or not, college football programs across the country could use Marshall’s services.

For Marshall, the recruiting process means weighing a variety of interests.  Some of those interests include program success, early playing time, educational opportunities, exposure, quality of facilities and program continuity.  For each recruit, the weight of each variable is different.

While Notre Dame competes among some of Marshall’s favorites, like Georgia and Florida, the Irish offer Marshall opportunities the other schools don’t.

The Spread Offense

Brian Kelly’s spread offense is primed for a running back of Marshall’s caliber.  Because the spread relies so heavily on the passing game and forces defenders to cover large areas of the field, running lanes are huge for tailbacks.  This results in significant yards per carry and excitement for the crowd. 

With little effort, Marshall can look like a superstar in this offense.

High Ceiling for Success

Contrasting the Irish with Georgia’s Mark Richt and Florida’s offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, it’s apparent the Irish are the favorite to be a more productive program in the future.  Weis hit his ceiling while coaching Notre Dame and his Gators are underachieving.  Richt is the incessant underachiever and will never get Georgia to the next level.  He may not even be around after this season.

Notre Dame, on the other hand, is led by habitual program-builder Brian Kelly.  If his previous stops are any indication, his Irish squad is only beginning to scratch the surface of its potential.  Kelly took lowly Cincinnati to an undefeated regular season and a BCS berth. 

Does Keith Marshall want to play for a program that has seen its best days, or one that is on the rise?

Early Playing Time

The Irish backfield has talent, but the talent is young or graduating.  Currently, Notre Dame only employs two running backs out of necessity, not by choice.  Cierre Wood will return, but behind him are unproven tailbacks George Atkinson III, Cam McDaniel and injured Cameron Roberson. 

There is plenty of opportunity for Keith Marshall to step in and contribute next year when the Irish travel to Ireland and Soldier Field during what will be the nation’s hardest schedule.

40-Year Decision

It’s the greatest sell Notre Dame has—the 40-year decision. 

Not only is Notre Dame the mecca of college football history and tradition, but it’s also one of the nation’s top universities.  Its academics are so outstanding that it’s often confused as an Ivy League institution, offering a business school that is regularly ranked first in the nation.

Where the 40-year decision really has roots is in its alumni.  After graduation, most students can rely on the alumni network in any city across the country to assist them by offering jobs or helping graduates find jobs.  Additionally, the alumni offer each other the chance to continue Notre Dame’s mission of service to the community. 

Gaining name recognition by being on television for four years with the Irish can only propel Keith Marshall into alumni circles, if the NFL eludes him.

Unparalleled Facilities

One knock with the Irish program in previous years was its facilities.  It was argued that the locker rooms and workout facilities were old and antiquated.  It was tough for coaches to close the deal with recruits when they compared Notre Dame’s facilities to those of their competitors.

Notre Dame made a renewed commitment to football and revamped its entire training program by building a state-of-the-art complex.  The “Gug,” as the building is affectionately labeled, offers the highest-quality weight rooms and locker rooms for an Irish team that is among the nation’s most lucrative college football programs.  Keith Marshall could really benefit from the state-of-the-art training equipment the Irish offer.