Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Maddox Marchbank

Maddox Marchbank is a recent Sarasota High graduate and football player. Marchbank, who played on the offensive and defensive lines at Sarasota, has received offers from NCAA Division I schools like Stetson University, Presbyterian College and Valparaiso University. 

When did you start playing football?

I played a little bit when I was a young kid, but then I got out of it for a few years and I started wrestling. But after I moved to Sarasota from Mokena, Illinois, I started playing youth football again. I think I was in fifth grade at that point, and I stuck with it. 

What is the appeal to you?

I like the team aspect. I like the competition, because I always like competing. It makes everything fun. But I also like hitting people legally.

What is your best skill?

On the offensive line, I'm good at pulling. I can find a linebacker and take them out. On defense, I'm good at reading what the offensive lineman does. After a couple plays, I can go off basically everything he does. 

What have you been working to improve?

The weight aspect. I have been trying to put on a couple pounds. I'm up to 290 right now. Other than that, I've been staying consistent with my training.

What is your favorite football memory?

Either beating Palmetto High last year or beating Manatee High in the playoffs. Palmetto because we had not beaten anyone good in a while. That one was big for us. And then we had our playoff win, which was our first in a long time as well (18 years). 

What has the recruiting process been like?

It's been exciting but also a little weird. I committed somewhere on a PWO earlier in the year, but I ended up de-committing. Then I got these (NCAA Division I) offers. There are people in my class who are at their schools already, but I'm still getting offers. But I'm extremely excited. They've been stacking up. 

What are you looking for in a school?

I'd like to be somewhere a little close to home. I want a school with a good culture. And I like an underdog school. I like working from the bottom and moving my way up, just like I did in high school. If I had offers from every school in the country, I wouldn't pick Alabama. I know it sounds weird, but it's true. It's just fun for me that way, being part of the come-up. 

What is your favorite food?

Lately it has been steak tacos with some habanero sauce. I like spicy foods. 

What is your favorite TV show or movie?

My favorite show has to be "Family Guy" and my favorite movies are either the "Kingsman" movies or the "Guardians of the Galaxy" movies. 

What are your hobbies?

I am extremely in love with golf. I like to fish. I play Madden with my friends. I like to swim. 

What is your major going to be?

I want to major in business administration and minor in pre-law, with the plan of going to law school after I graduate. 

Which superpower would you pick?

Invisibility. I don't know what I'd use it for. I guess I could do anything, since no one would be able to see me to stop me. 

What is the best advice you have received?

Even when you don't want to do something, just keep going for it and do it, or you might regret it later. My sophomore year, I slacked a little bit in football. Now I think like, "Dang, I could be this much better if I had worked as hard then as I did as a junior and senior."

Finish this sentence: "Maddox Marchbank is …"

Goofy.