Florida Gators offer elite 2025 DL Nathaniel Marshall
With the 2024 cycle’s finish line inching closer, many eyes have started to turn toward the class of 2025.
Billy Napier and Florida currently have just one junior pledge — Tampa Plant four-star running back Waltez Clark — so far, but the Gators extended a major offer on Tuesday.
Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick four-star defensive lineman Nathaniel Marshall has announced an offer from UF, throwing the Gators in a sweepstakes that already consists of some of the top programs in the nation.
Marshall is the No. 39 overall prospect and No. 4 DL in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 2 player in Illinois.
Notre Dame, Michigan among those making early impressions on Marshall
The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder has over 20 Division I offers, with schools such as Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon and Texas already in the mix. The Fighting Irish have had Marshall on campus twice and currently have the early lead for the blue-chip lineman, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). Defensive line coach Al Washington has led ND’s recruitment.
“(Washington) showed me how many players he’s coached and sent to the league,” Marshall told Blue and Gold. “Then, he showed me how the NIL (name, image and likeness) stuff works in college. All the little stuff, like the nutritionist, weight room and schemes. The basic necessities of being a player at Notre Dame.”
He capped his summer off with an unofficial visit to Michigan at the end of July. The Wolverines’ past success with developing players similar to Marshall has the Big Ten program as another early contender.
“I really like Michigan,” Marshall told The Wolverine. “I like how they utilize their defensive line and have their defensive ends play out of a two-point stance. I like playing out of a two-point stance because you’re able to visualize more. They’ve also produced a lot of great players.”
Marshall rising up the 2025 rankings
Marshall recently made a big jump in the updated 2025 On300 ranking and is now the No. 31 player in the cycle, moving up the list by around 100 spots. He was one of the biggest movers as he continues to push for an eventual five-star status.
“The Oak Park (Ill.) Fenwick product is a fluid, explosive mover at 6-foot-4, 265 pounds. Marshall has flashed quick, violent hands both on Friday nights and in camp settings. In addition to being a disruptive presence on defense, Marshall shows his athleticism as a pass catcher,” On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power wrote.
Marshall does not currently have an On3 NIL Valuation. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.