ACC commit reacts to Alabama offer: ‘It was a little bit surreal’
The Alabama Crimson Tide signed two players at the tight end position last year in Caleb Odom and Jay Lindsey. Odom, however, is making the move to wide receiver for the start of his collegiate career. During the offseason, Kalen DeBoer and his new staff added former Washington tight end Josh Cuevas to the fold via the Transfer Portal.
Bama is still searching for their first commitment at the position in the 2025 class, and recently extended an offer to a spring visitor who they saw in person this month. Marshall Pritchett, a North Carolina pledge, announced an offer from the Tide back on May 19.
“Alabama is such a prestigious program,” Pritchett told BamaOnLine. “My whole life, I’ve been a football junkie, a fanatic. Growing up like that and living in a football household, getting an Alabama offer meant a lot. My initial reaction was I called my dad and said, ‘Man, I just got offered by Bama.’ It was a little bit surreal. It’s a huge blessing, but it’s an even bigger reality check that it’s all coming together.”
Bryan Ellis saw Pritchett run routes at his school before the start of lacrosse practice a couple of weeks ago. The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder showcased his full route running skill set and impressed Alabama’s tight ends coach during his visit.
“Not going to lie, I had a damn near perfect day. He gave me the call a week later,” Pritchett said. “His main point of emphasis right now is that they need someone like me. They had Caleb Odom in the 2024 class, but now he’s moving to wide receiver. Most people that know the Bama roster would know they don’t really necessarily have a flex tight end like me on the roster currently.
“His point of emphasis is they need a skill set like mine and I’d have an opportunity to come in and be able to compete,” Pritchett continued. “Their whole pitch to me is they’re Alabama. That’s their thing. We don’t have to say too much. If you’ve grown up and you know football, you know Alabama. I have a lot of respect for the way they handle that… if you want to be a part of something great, then come.”
After announcing his offer, Pritchett heard from the likes of Amari Jefferson, Caleb Odom, Cayden Jones, and Luke Metz on social media.
Pritchett was hearing from Ellis and support staff members frequently after visiting Alabama on March 6. Since the offer, however, the top-25 tight end communicates with Ellis every other day, if not more.
“Coach Ellis has been very transparent with me. He’s had a lot of calls with me and I’ve texted him a lot,” Pritchett said. “It’s been awesome. I love the way he coaches. I think he’s very straightforward, but he also knows how to get in these dudes’ grills and get them better from a tough love aspect. I’ve loved getting to know Coach Ellis… I’ve really enjoyed it. I think he’s a great coach and I’m ready to keep learning more about him.”
An Alabama OV is a possibility for Marshall Pritchett
A visit to Bama took place in early March, which gave Pritchett an opportunity to see the team practice and speak with not only Ellis, but Kalen DeBoer as well.
Pritchett says that Ellis has been talking with him about returning for an official visit.
“An official visit is possible, but not certain yet,” Pritchett said.
UNC holds Pritchett’s commitment, but a few other programs remain in consideration for him. Alabama is one of the schools that the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School product is still keeping an eye on.
“You have to be really sharp with who you’re selecting and who you want to continue talking to,” Pritchett said. “I would say I have like two or three schools right now that I’m semi-considering. My coach, who helps me with this process a lot, his whole thing is that there are three programs who you have to give them a chance. Any recruit in the country has to give them a chance. It was Bama, Michigan, and Georgia.”
2025 TE and North Carolina commitment Marshall Pritchett. (Photo by Jeremy Johnson)
As mentioned above, Pritchett was able to speak with DeBoer on his previous visit to Alabama. Pritchett stated that he seems like a very good coach and likes the way he coaches, and hopes to learn more about DeBoer during the process.
Pritchett is still getting to know the new Bama staff, but is very familiar with the offense they’re bringing over from Washington.
“I think it’s very dynamic and explosive,” Pritchett said. “Anyone that has seen my film, it kind of resonates with what I need and what I play. I do really good in space. I like getting the ball vertically. All in all, I think Coach DeBoer’s offense and Coach Sheridan’s system is a pretty good fit. I love dynamic offenses, I like putting up points… if anyone watches college football, they know they’re pretty damn good of getting the ball to their guys.”
At this time, the only official visit that Pritchett has scheduled is to North Carolina from June 7-9. He believes that Georgia is close to offering him, and will be in consideration if they do. Michigan has also spoken with him recently about potentially taking an official visit.
As a junior, Pritchett recorded 46 receptions for 674 yards, an average of 14.7 yards per catch. He also had six touchdowns in 14 games, and you can watch his 2023 season highlights down below!
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The post ACC commit reacts to Alabama offer: ‘It was a little bit surreal’ appeared first on On3.
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