Miami Commitment Profile: Defensive End Marquise Lightfoot
The 15th commitment for the Miami Hurricanes 2024 recruiting class was a major addition to the program.
This Midwest talent will bring the speed and length to the defensive line that can change games.
Size: 6-foot-5, 220 pounds
Position: Defensive End
High School: Chicago (Ill.) Kenwood Academy
Recruiting
Lightfoot took official visits to Ohio State (June 9), Southern California (June 16), Illinois (June 20), and June 23, before selecting the Hurricanes on July 3.
Here were Lightfoot’s recruiting rankings at the time of his commitment, in order of national, position, and state ranking:
On3: 60, 5, and 3
247: 128, 8, and 4
Rivals: 86, 4, and 3
ESPN: 131, 18, and 4
Frame
He’s a prototypical edge rusher. He has grown into the frame one would expect to see from someone playing on Monday Night Football. As for sheer girth and size, Lightfoot could add another 20 or 30 pounds.
Honestly, it’s more important that he adds strength more than mass so that Lightfoot keeps as much of his flexibility and athleticism as possible. Those traits – as noted below – helped him become the recruit that earned offers from across the country.
Also of note, seeing Lightfoot’s frame a year or so ago, he’s definitely put in the time in the weight room and with other ways of training. He’s chiseled now. That did not happen by accident. Props to him for getting after it and substantially improving his strength and power.
Lightfoot's commitment video displayed some of the effort he put into his now shredded frame:
Athleticism
Even with being such a long-legged player, Lightfoot’s change of direction showed promise, time and time again, while watching junior film. There were plays that showed Lightfoot zigging and zagging through a group of players to stick with a shifty quarterback or running back, and he still made the tackle. That fact gives insight into how he can bend off the edge and rush the passer, as well as play in space overall.
Stops and starts well; breaks down into a tackling position quickly after running at top-end speed. Lightfoot also showed that explosive first step that’s of foremost importance to a pass rusher.
Pass Rushing Skills
He has proven to have the speed and change of direction to come off the edge and disengage from an offensive tackle quickly. In Chicago, he did not have as many chances against a five-step drop to really bend the edge and get after the signal caller, as there were more run-first teams on the schedule than down South. That doesn’t mean Lightfoot’s talent wasn’t on display.
He took good angles to the quarterback – whether taking an inside or outside rush – that changed how quickly his opponent got rid of the football or was sacked.
Additionally, Lightfoot often reached his long arms up to change the trajectory of a pass. That’s often better than a sack because deflections lead to turnovers.
Technique
Unlike many speed rushers, Lightfoot displayed his ability to dip and rip towards the B gap and not just around the outside of an offensive tackle. That caused havoc in the backfield. Nothing more difficult for a quarterback and/or running back to handle than pressure up the middle. He still needed to use his tools even better though.
Still sometimes inconsistent against the run, as one example, Lightfoot needs to better extend his arms prior to contact. He would generate more power if he had used his long arms as leverage to keep offensive linemen away from him.
When Lightfoot did use his long arms to fend off opposing blockers, he was consistently able to make plays even against bigger players.
Like the vast majority of young defensive ends, this was the area that many former great Miami players needed to improve upon as well. Technique, it’s a life-long learning skill because it’s quite frankly harder than many might know.
The difference between extending one’s arms one additional inch before contact with an offensive lineman can explain why a tackle is or is not made.
There was a play where he two-hand bull rushed a left tackle and shocked him, Lightfoot kept driving his feet through contact (paramount to success), and gave a second jolt to his opponent before crashing inside for a sack. So, Lightfoot showed he could use good technique and dominate.
Now, it’s just about more consistency as he moves into the Power 5 to work with Miami defensive line coach Jason Taylor. Here’s the scary part.
Lightfoot often made big plays even when he was not technically sound. Imagine what he can be like after he starts mixing up his moves – while using good technique – to keep offensive linemen guessing.
Effort Plays
He hustles! This was evident throughout Lightfoot’s film. Loved it! Even when a play headed towards the complete opposite side of the field, Lightfoot kept running to the football.
When challenged by much bigger players, Lightfoot did not just shy away from the battle. He often used leverage and quickness to win. That was combining intelligence with athleticism, and those traits were also a big part of Lightfoot’s effort as well.
Long-Term Projection
Lightfoot will be a pure weak side defensive end for the Canes. He’s that player that opposing teams need to be careful of when it’s an obvious passing down. He will also be one that causes tackles for loss during a power running play on a first down and ten.
This young man has the potential to be a big-time college football player. Now it’s just about putting in that work that matters beyond lifting weights and going through drills with coach Taylor. Film study, as in knowing his specific opponents’ tendencies as pass blockers, etc.
That’s what it will come down to as it relates to Lightfoot eventually being an All-ACC player and potentially an All-American. The talent and tools, yes, Lightfoot has shown he possesses what he needs to reach that level.
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