Top Florida QB Marucci Commits to Wake Forest
Arguably the top class of 2021 quarterback prospect in the state of Florida is off the board.
Santino Marucci, fresh off of a junior season in which he led Jupiter (Fla.) The Benjamin School to another playoff run with his arm and legs, made a verbal commitment to Wake Forest over the weekend and went public with the pledge on Monday.
"I've put a lot of thought into it, checked out a lot of schools and talked to a lot of coaches and I feel like this place is the best for me," he told SI All-American. "It's both academically and athletically. I've had long talks with my family and coaches and I just see the next four years of my life at Wake Forest."
With scholarship offers in the SEC, ACC and beyond, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound prospect says Dave Clawson's program was the right fit in between the lines and beyond.
"In the last couple of weeks I had really been trying to sit down and think about the possible options for me," Marucci said. "We run a spread offense at Benjamin and it correlates very well with Wake Forest. It's up tempo, get the ball out quick and I fit really well into that system.
"Coach Clawson was really excited. When I went up there for their summer camp he said I fit that system very well and if it were to come to that, they would love to have me. He's really excited, Coach (Warren) Ruggiero is excited for me to get up there and I'm the most excited of all of them -- I can't wait to get up there."
Though known as a strong passer, as SI All-American got to see again Sunday at the Florida Fire 7v7 tryout (video above), the rising senior has strong overall athletic traits. The son of former Miami Hurricane running back Jason Marucci, he has long competed as a wrestler and appeared as more of a dual-threat talent in 2019.
Marucci ran for 11 touchdowns as a junior to go up over 20 scores on the ground as a prep standout. He added 21 passing touchdowns in his latest campaign, enough to hear from college football programs across the country.
"I feel like the time is right, now," he said of coming to a commitment. "Coming into my senior season, I'm just ready to go.
"Be ready! I'm coming out guns blazing when I get up there."
Wake Forest has had some quarterback turnover following a strong 2019 with starter Jamie Newman electing to finish his collegiate career elsewhere. It means a prospect like Marucci could be that much closer to playing early in his Demon Deacon career.
The decision also had a lot to do with the coaching staff's approach.
"It's a real family-oriented group of guys," Marucci said. "They take a lot of pride in getting to know the person both on the field and off the field. That really caught my eye because sometimes it's just about what you do on the field. But they take into consideration your whole person."
Wake Forest now has a pair of commitments in the 2021 class, as Marucci joins kicking prospect Matthew Dennis.