Marshall Few is a former Ponte Vedra High School wide receiver and current freshman football player at the University of Miami, where he is also a member of the school’s Air Force ROTC program.
How’s everything going at Miami?
Everything right now is going really smoothly. I fit in pretty well. I love the people here. It’s actually a big family more than it is a team. It’s a good experience. The team runs a little bit like Ponte Vedra’s team. It feels very similar. Now that we’re going into game week and the way that we’re preparing for Bethune-Cookman and what goes on in our meetings and how practice is set up, it’s literally just a more advanced version of what we did in high school. Our coaches at Ponte Vedra…the way they coached is so similar to the college way that it really is incredible. I don’t understand how they did that or how they know.
What have you been working on?
I just have to keep my nose in my playbook and just learn how to keep up with the speed of the game. Everybody said college would be fast, but I didn’t realize it would be this fast. I’m picking up on it pretty well. There’s always room for improvement. I just have to keep my head straight and stay focused during practice. Hopefully I can earn a spot later down the road.
How do you think you’ll contribute to the team this year?
I’ll probably be on the practice squad and scout team. I am on a couple special teams units, not as a starter but as a backup.
What’s it been like playing for coach Mark Richt?
Before I got here, everybody had their own story about coach Richt and how great he was as a person and as a coach. You could talk to anybody on campus, and they would say something special about him. You come to realize…after I’ve been here since May, all of those things are true and then some. He’s a great guy. I’m very lucky to be playing for him.
What’s been your favorite part of the experience?
I think my favorite part is still yet to come. I think it’s going to be being able to see that W column on Saturday, week to week.
What’s been most challenging so far?
Definitely football wise, it’s the speed of the game. Lifestyle wise, it’s changing from being with your parents to being on your own and being able to handle classes and responsibilities. It’s definitely a lot different from high school. You’re on your own, and it’s the real world, which is kind of cool. It’s scary at first, but once you start to get into the groove of things, it gets easier. And then I’m also doing Air Force ROTC as well. Trying to balance that out with football is pretty tough. My coaches have been working with me on it, and they support me completely with ROTC. And ROTC supports me completely with football. I’m so grateful and blessed to get this opportunity.
What do you plan to study at Miami?
I’m doing criminology. I thought it would help with ROTC. My dad has been in the army for 30 years. The military does really interest me. I’m going to try and pursue that after my playing days are over. I’ll be in the Air Force for a minimum of five years. I’m looking forward to it.
What are the team’s expectations for this year?
We’re going to win it all. I just have a strange feeling we’re going to be pretty good this year.
How did Ponte Vedra help you get to this point?
It’s not really anything that I did personally. It’s the people at Ponte Vedra that ultimately got me to where I am today. I thank every single one of them, whether it’s coaches, teachers, friends, family. The people you surround yourself with really impacts who you turn out to be in the future. I was lucky enough to have a great family supporting me my entire school career and friends that always had my back. When you have that type of support, I don’t think anything can stop you.
