“I’m one to really believe that your actions speak louder than words. Marcus having to go home for a semester was the best thing that could have ever happened to Marcus. I had full support of his family. I don’t know if he understood it first. If I didn’t do that, then I would be contributing to a problem rather than be a solution for him.” Coach, Randy Edsall
When we talk about a player with a strong football mind and a strong football mental game, Marcus Leak comes to mind.
Marcus played for Parkwood High School and was known to be a good receiver who could utilize the elements of the game to get past his opponents. He was ranked the 24th best in North Carolina (rivals.com) and is known for recording 305 rushing yards with two touchdowns, 200 yards receiving and 30 tackles in 2010 during his senior year.
During that period, he missed four games due to injury. As a junior, he was picked to play in the 74th annual Shrine Bowl of Carolina All-Star game where he had five touchdowns and 630 receiving yards.
Marcus is a well-rounded athlete. In high school he ran track and played varsity basketball on the team his father coached (Coach Marcus Leak). His senior year he played varsity basketball on Coach Joe Coffey and Coach Jamel McGee’s team. These are three awesome coaches and they have been great mentors to Marcus.
Marcus chose Maryland to continue his career in football as a wide receiver. In his freshman year (2011), he played seven games at wide receiver with two starts. He started playing as a replacement for Kevin Dorsey against Florida State. He became the first true freshman wide receiver to start for the Terrapins since Danny Quendo starting for them in 2005.
As a sophomore, he played starter for seven games before he got a toe injury when playing against NC State thus causing him to miss the five final games. This was a major physical and mental setback for Marcus because of his love for game.
In 2013 as a sophomore, he took a personal leave of absence from the university. He returned to Waxhaw, North Carolina, his hometown. This was a very tough time for Marcus, however he received a lot of support from his mother Susan Ratiff, his father Maurice Leak and his stepfather Phillip Ratiff. He also received support from teammates and his coach and in Maryland.
After this time away, his coach, Randy, noted the improvements that Marcus had made in regards to his confidence in football again and himself. He took classes at a local college in Maryland during his time; something the coach thinks played a part in increasing his maturity and responsibility.
Marcus watched his teammates play during the time he was away, which helped improve his football mental game. He was always watching their games, and he watched his elder brother Maurice, play for the University of Charleston.
He kept in contact with a close teammate Brown. Through all his struggles and challenges; his football mental game and confidence improved tremendously.
He performed in the 49ers pro day at Charlotte hoping to get noticed by one of the three Scouts from Bills, Jets and Panthers. After being off the football radar for about a year, this would be a good chance for him to get noticed.
Maurice put himself in a great position to get drafted because he posted a 37 ½ inch vertical, outperforming the average NFL scouting combine vertical for receivers.
He got drafted by the Indianapolis Colts, which has been a positive development in the tough journey Marcus has had in football.
His parents, Susan Ratliff, Marcus Leak and Phillip Ratliff were very impressed and happy about his drafting as they have been a strong part of his support system, mentally, physically and spiritually during the time that he took a break.
What a way to go Marcus and a very special shout to my home girl Susan!! 🙂
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