Marriner takes his first official

Connecticut played host to one official visitor this past weekend. Chesapeake (Va.) Western Branch tailback Josh Marriner made the visit, his first official of the season.

"I actually just got back from my official visit to Connecticut yesterday," he said. "I got to meet the players and see the game against NC State. I got to see the culture up there and I liked it a lot."

Marriner went in-depth on the trip.

"At first, I got there and met the coaches," he said. "I met with my recruiting coach again and went to the game. After the game, Coach Perkins took my parents and I out to dinner. Then, they took me back to the hotel at about 7 and then showed me around the campus and basketball facilities.

"On Sunday, I was actually able to see their indoor facilities and athletic facilities off campus. I got to see how their meetings operate the day after a game too."

Did anything surprise on the visit?

"I didn't think it would be as good as it was," he said. "The facilities are the best I've seen and been to. I liked them a lot and then the coaches. I liked them a lot. I liked how they taught and how they coached their players before and after the game."

Regarding the game, Marriner was impressed even though they fell short to NC State by three.

"The game was good," he said. "Even though they lost, I saw a great game and the defense played amazing. One of their cornerbacks went down and NC State went after them. That happens, but it was a good game."

Wrapping up the trip, Marriner got time with head coach Paul Pasqualoni.

"On Sunday, he met with my parents and I," he said. "He's a very good coach and I liked how he talked to the players after the game, that stuck out to me a lot. Some bring the hammer down, but he broke the game down and told them they've got to move on."

Connecticut is one of the teams right in the mix for Marriner.

"I'm kind of focused on four schools," he said. "I'm looking at my schedule and trying to take a visit to Temple and I might take one to the Naval Academy. Wake Forest is still interested and they just want my first three games. I play my third game this week and then I'll be sending the tape out. They haven't talked about a visit yet."

No other trips are scheduled for the tailback at this time.

Meanwhile, on the season, Marriner has helped Western Branch to a 2-0 start as he has posted 406-yards rushing on 43 carries and five touchdowns.

"It's only been the first two games, but I'm looking forward to another week and hopefully 200-yards again," he said. "The big difference for me this year are the people around me. Teams can't key on me and that allows me to get to the open field more."