North Augusta WR Gets First ACC Offer
North Augusta (SC) wide receiver Marcus Thurmond, named this week as the tenth ranked
prospects in the Midlands area by SCVarsity.com, has been gaining attention from several
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schools over the past few weeks. Now, the 6-1, 175lbs speedster has gotten his first offer
from an ACC power.
Thurmond was offered by Maryland this week.
"Maryland just said that they loved my speed, and felt like I could do a lot of
things for their offense," Thurmond said. "I checked the mailbox today, and
there was a signed letter from Coach Friegden. I screamed and hollered after I read it
because I was so excited.
"My coaches at North Augusta told me all along that they felt offers were on the
way, just to be patient. I just don't know if it will get any better than Maryland,
though. They have great academics and compete for ACC championships every year. You can't
ask for more than that. My family and I are going to visit there when I get out of school
in June, and then I'll make a decision."
It was the first offer for Thurmond, who has also generated serious interest from South
Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida State, among others. At least 20 or
more college scouts are expected to observe Thurmond in North Augusta's spring practices
which begin on May 7.
Thurmond earned his reputation for speed after running track as a sophomore just to
stay in football shape. He ended up finishing third in the 800 meters (1:57) at the 2006
Class AAAA state championship meet, which is South Carolina's largest division. So far
this year, Thurmond is undefeated in the 800 and competes in the 2007 state championship
meet on Saturday in Columbia, S.C.
"Marcus can run with anybody who plays the game on Friday nights," North
Augusta coach Dan Pippin said. "He's raw and undeveloped, but he's a great kid and
one of the hardest workers we've have. Again, he has something you can't coach: big-time
speed."
This past season, Thurmond caught 46 passes for 546 yards and 6 TD for 1-10 North
Augusta. He has been clocked in the 40 at 4.37 seconds.