Published Apr 27, 2005
San Diego Star visits schools
Rick Kimbrel
Rivals100.com Recruiting Analyst
Middle linebacker prospect Marcus Yarbrough (6-2, 250, 4.8) from Chula Vista (Calif.) Eastlake is making the rounds to some of the Golden State's top campuses. He was one of many who went to Cal's Junior Day and then on the very next day showcased his skills at the NIKE Camp in Los Angeles.
"Cal's junior day was great," Yarbrough said. "I liked it a lot especially the academics."
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"Cal would be a fun place to play football," Yarbrough said. "I liked everything about Cal.
"The whole coaching staff from the head coach to the speed coach were great," Yarbrough said. "Cal left a very positive impression."
Yarbrough also took in a USC spring practice while the Trojans were still in session and like every recruit who does, he was very impressed.
"Just watching USC's practices gets you pumped up," Yarbrough said. "You can see why they are so successful."
"USC like Cal would be an excellent place to go to college," Yarbrough said. "After all USC is back-to-back national champs."
Yarbrough also participated at UCLA's one-day camp in early April.
"I liked UCLA's coaches, too," Yarbrough said. "I really learned a lot from them."
"It was really hands on coaching at the UCLA camp," Yarbrough said. "You got a real good feel of how it would be coached by them."
"The NIKE Camp was good, too" Yarbrough said. "You always think you can do better but the coaches told me I have good tools and quick feet."
Besides USC, UCLA and Cal, Yarbrough is drawing attention from Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Colorado, Colorado State and hometown school San Diego State, where his father played football.
From his middle linebacker spot Yarbrough racked up 141 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries as a junior.
Yarbrough was the only junior to be named to the first-team San Diego Section All-CIF team. He was also selected to the all-state underclass team and first-team all-league in 2004.
In an earlier interview with Eastlake coach John McFadden.
"As big as Marcus is he's very physical," McFadden said. "When he gets fired up, he's the best football player I have ever coached."
Yarbrough also has strong work ethic and is working hard to better himself as a football player. He has a personal trainer and it is already paying off dividends.
Yarbrough currently benches 305 pounds and squats 450. He just begun to do the power clean exercise in February and he's already cleaning 210.