Basketball star making a name in football

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – After a slow start on Thursday, Rice Consolidated High School pulled a big upset over one of the favorites in the small school division in Hitchcock High School and a big reason why was one of the biggest players on the field. Wide receiver Marquis Toliver was a big mismatch at 6-foot-5 215 pounds and showed some soft hands and body control.

"The day went pretty good," Toliver said. "We started out kind of slow with an 0-3 start but the last game we put it together."

Though Toliver has the athleticism to play defense and the size to play tight end, don't expect to see him anywhere but at wide receiver in 2008.

"I play straight receiver because last year I broke my wrist jumping for an interception so this year my coaches want me straight offense," he said. "It's pretty good. I like it. I just gotta get a little bit faster and I'll be good."

Toliver has all kinds of upside as a wide receiver and he takes some of his athleticism from his basketball background. Despite his basketball background, he is starting to realize that football may be his ticket to the next level.

"I'm liking football right now," he said. "It's looking good. Basketball, I'll have to move to the '2' and start dribbling."

His basketball background translates well to the football field.

"On short routes, I box them out and get a little physical with them," he explained. "A jump ball, that's an ally-oop for me."

Toliver is being recruited by some schools in both sports and though he doesn't hold any official offers yet, his stock could be on the rise.

"I'm hearing from U of H, UAB, and McNeese State, they want me to play both sports," he said. "I'm liking that but (playing both) would be hard. I'll probably just play football."