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Coveted 2022 QB Recruit Nicco Marchiol Focused on Four

Arizona State, Florida, Florida State and Rutgers pushing for left-handed Arizona native

John Garcia, Jr.

As the 2021 recruiting cycle comes to its end, the 2022 group is already bubbling at the forefront of the college football recruiting conversation. 

It means the elite quarterbacks, like Chandler (Ariz.) Hamilton star Nicco Marchiol, are well on their way towards the end of the decision-making process. Even amid the pandemic-restricted era of picking between college programs without in-person contact, crunch time ahead of a commitment is coming. 

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound left-handed recruit amassed more than two dozen scholarship offers before wrapping up the 2020 season, his third as a varsity starter. 

Now he's down to Arizona State, Florida, Florida State and Rutgers. 

Marchiol visited half of his top group with family over the last week or so.

"There was a lot to see in both Gainesville and Tallahassee," he told SI All-American. "I feel like we accomplished a lot at each place and it's really important because whatever place I pick, it's much more than football. I feel like it's where I can see myself living for three to four years. Some place where I'm comfortable, some place where I'm wanted. There's a lot that goes into that.

"I'm going to play wherever I'm wanted, whatever conference, with whatever coaching staff fits me best." 

Marchiol expanded on why each program remains under consideration following initial physical impressions at Florida and Florida State.

Arizona State: "I think with their new coaches, like Zak Hill, and Herm Edwards who has been there for a while -- I think Coach Herm puts guys in the league. He's been around and seen a lot of guys, he knows when someone's got it and can get to the league and be a guy. I think he can really help me get to the league and be an elite level guy. I think what complements that is Coach Hill's offense, pro-style with a lot of shifts and motions and the quarterback has a lot of control. He can offer a lot of different things and I really like that kind of offense." 

Florida: "They've been recruiting me for a really long time. Coach (Dan) Mullen, Coach (Brian) Johnson. I think their offense was really dominant this year, they put up some record-breaking numbers and had some high profile guys with Kyle Trask having a crazy year with Kyle Pitts. They were just really fun to watch the whole season. They've been one of my top choices for a while now. There's a lot of history there with the last left quarterback being Tim Tebow and kind of just carrying on that tradition. It was a big decision watching all of these teams this year to see what they could do and what kind of offense I would fit in. I can really see myself in the Florida offense." 

Florida State: "The campus was just beautiful, the stadium. Their whole history there, how they treat their players and what they offer to me and my family is just second to none. Then the coaches, Coach (Kenny) Dillingham and Coach (Mike) Norvell. Coach Dillingham has been in my recruiting process for a really long time now and he's actually an Arizona native and he's close with my quarterback coach here in Arizona. We always have stuff to talk about because he's from here, he knows about all the high school football and stuff. Coach Norvell, I think this was kind of just a transition year and I think they're going to be back on top here in a couple of years."

Rutgers: "I look at them as almost a post-football type of choice. I think their business school and being close to Wall Street can really help me after football to add connections. Also with Coach (Greg) Schiano's coaching history. He started at Rutgers, went to the league and came back to Rutgers. It must be a pretty special place if he came back. And obviously they had their moments this year in the Big Ten and you could see they could totally be a dominant team if they just had some more guys. I think Coach (Sean) Gleeson's offense, when he was at Oklahoma State, were dominating. I think they're just a couple guys away from being a dominant team." 

The rising-senior prospect won't remain among the most coveted uncommitted recruits in the class of 2022 very much longer. Marchiol could also take a few more road trips before the final call is made this spring.

"I'll need some more time to fill these places out and maybe go see some of them," he said. "In a few months I'll have a decision and make it public." 

Marchiol accounted for nearly 2,000 yards of total offense in just eight games this fall, scoring 17 touchdowns and completing 69 percent of his pass attempts along the way.

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John Garcia, Jr.
JOHN GARCIA, JR.

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