With the departure of wide receiver Dante Pettis, the Washington Football team needs a new No. 1 receiving option. Four-star signee Marquis Spiker can fill that bill.
Standing 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, wide receiver Marquis Spiker is a defensive back’s greatest nightmare. He’s the top wide receiver prospect in Washington’s recruiting class of 2018, and the ninth-ranked receiver in the entire class of 2018 according to 247Sports. That means a great deal to the Washington Football team. After all, you have to replace a great receiver with a great receiver.
He didn’t get to UW by accident or random chance. As a matter of fact, Washington head coach Chris Petersen hit the recruiting trail early and often this year, as the Washington Football team attained a top- 10 ranking in the country in class of 2018 rankings. The team fell in the aftermath of National Signing Day, but continue to hold a solid 13th-ranking.
The 2018 recruiting class for the Washington Huskies includes three receivers. Two of those three are four-star recruits. As former Washington receiver Dante Pettis prepares for the NFL Draft, the team must fill his shoes as quarterback Jake Browning’s favorite target. Marquis Spiker will certainly make a good case to be “that guy”.
Committed to the University of Washington!! #GoDawgs 🐺🐾💜 pic.twitter.com/2NA3iXHC6y
— Buddy (@spkr__) March 18, 2017
Record-setting production
Spiker played for Murrieta Valley High School in Southern California, ranking as the eighth-best prospect in the state. His senior season continued to display his dominance on the football field.
In a 59-56 victory earlier in November, Spiker racked up 13 receptions for 284 yards and four touchdowns for Murrieta Valley. His assertive outing clinched the new California state high school record for touchdown receptions of 66.
In his senior season, He finished his 2017 high school campaign with 83 catches, 1490 receiving yards, and 27 receiving touchdowns in just 12 games.
Big plays from a big receiver
His 6-foot-3 size gives him the ability to make plays on jump balls down the field. He’s also a huge red zone threat — something he displayed in his six-touchdown performance against Redlands. Here is a video capturing his six touchdown performance. Imagine that type of production on the field for Washington.
He also possesses the speed and athleticism to create in open space, providing Browning another target for screen passes and slants. At times in the 2017 season, Washington receivers did not seperate from defensive backs. That won’t be a problem for Spiker.
* Highlights
* Rivals Profile
* Scout Profile
* 247Sports Profile
Where Spiker fits in
Even last season with Pettis, Washington’s receiving corps grew younger and younger as the season continued. Chico McClatcher missed several games with a leg injury, but will return for his senior season.
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McClatcher stands just 5-foot-7, leaving Washington without an incumbent red-zone threat. Tight end Hunter Bryant looked dominant in early season games of his freshman season, but also sidelines for the rest of the season due to injury.
With Bryant as a healthy sophomore, his 6-foot-2 frame on the same field as Spiker could be a lethal combination for opposing secondaries. And the team will be welcoming 6-foot-3 Austin Osborne, and towering 6-foot-5 Devin Culp as well.
Next: Washington Football Recruiting: 2018 Class Huskies Recruiting Tracker
Washington beat out a number of other programs bidding for Spiker, including USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Michigan. With limited returning options at receiver, expect Spiker to make an immediate impact on the offensive side of the ball for UW — and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he grows into Browning’s No. 1 target by season’s end.