SDS’ top 25 newcomers of 2013: No. 14 Tennessee’s Marquez North

Published March 6, 2013 - 8:35am

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Now with National Signing Day in the books, let’s look at the top newcomers in the SEC for 2013. Predicting the top newcomers is often very tough, and these aren’t just merely rankings of the top players. We’re going to look at what type of impact they’ll make and where they’ll make it.

No. 14 – Marquez North, WR, Tennessee

From: Charlotte, NC (Mallard Creek)
Size: 6-4, 212 pounds, 4.41 40

The Skinny: Tennessee didn’t just sign an electrifying receiver in Marquez North, but they signed an overall superior athlete. North gave Butch Jones his first signature signee in just his first few months on the job. North chose the Vols over his home state Tar Heels, and the rest will be history when this kid dons the Big Orange. In high school North was used a lot like Percy Harvin was at Florida, lining up outside, inside and in the backfield. ‘Just get him the football’ has been the coaching mentality all through his prep years, and that surely won’t change under Butch Jones’ spread attack. North may not be overly quick and elusive, but once he gets to top speed he will outrun anyone. His 6-4 frame allows him to push around would-be tacklers.

What Tennessee is getting: The Vols’ top four pass catchers in Justin Hunter, Cordarrelle Patterson, Zach Rogers and Mychal Rivera are gone, and combined these four produced 187 catches for 2,914 yards and 26 touchdowns just in 2012. Enter Marquez North. North has a legitimate shot to start opening week. He’ll compete with five candidates once on campus in Vincent Dallas, Jacob Carter, Jason Croom, Drae Bowles and Pig Howard, but all five only combined for 20 catches last season.