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OL, 6’3, 288, 4.8, 420 bp
Prichard, AL
Nickname: IHOP
High School: Vigor
HS Number: 63
AL Number: 63?
Official Visits: Ole Miss, Alabama, Auburn
Second Choice: Auburn
Host During Alabama Visit: Chris Samuels
Committed: January 21, 1998
Academic Status: Qualified
Stats
HS Junior Season
Blocking
HS Senior Season
Blocking
Honors
- Three-time All-County
- Four-time All-Area
- Two-time All-State
- Mobile County Dream Team
- Super Seniors Team
- USA Today Honorable Mention All-American
- Pigskin Preps Super South 75
- Forrest Davis Second Team All-South
- Prep Star All-American
- AL-MS All-Star Game
Stories
Best Since Willie Anderson?
Willie Anderson set the standard at Vigor. Now everyone that follows him has to live up to it.
"I’m constantly being compared to him," Marico says. "Some of my coaches say the only difference is that Willie is taller than me."
As a senior Marico graded 98% in blocking efficiency. He played more than 750 offensive snaps and only missed nine blocks. In four years he registered 175 "pancake" blocks.
Blount DL DeMarco McNeil will be the state’s top player next season. McNeil has played against Marico twice.
"He’s the best I’ve ever played against," McNeil says. "He’s very light on his feet. He’s so quick. He’s also a good drive blocker."
The best since Willie Anderson? Sounds like it.
Nicknames
As a kid Marico was nicknamed after the cartoon character "Bam-Bam" on the Flintstones.
"I’d hurt the other neighborhood kids by just bumping into them," Marico says. "They said I was like ‘Bam-Bam’ because I didn’t know my own strength."
By his junior year at Vigor, Marico had earned a new nickname.
"I had over 175 pancake blocks in high school. I had so many pancakes that everyone started calling me IHOP."
Is Mobile Auburn Territory?
The trend began five years ago when Auburn pulled off the heist of Jesse McCovery and Willie Anderson. And since then most of Mobile’s top talent, including Blount’s Robert Malone this year, has gone to Auburn.
"I don’t have an answer for it," Marico says. "I really thought that all of us [including Malone] would end up at Alabama this year."
This year, along with Marico, Alabama signed Vigor’s Damien Jones. That’s significant to Marico.
"I think some things are about to change. I look for Alabama to start really picking it up down here."
The state’s top two prospects for next season, DeMarco McNeil and Deandre Green, play at Blount.
The "Most Eligible" New Tider
After he scored a 19 on his second attempt at the ACT Marico Portis thought that the pressure was off.
"The ACT people notified me that my 19 was not accepted. They said that I needed to take the test again. I couldn’t believe it."
A five-point improvement in score over his first test caused the ACT board to question the result.
"I had worked hard to prepare myself to do well on that second test. I was punished for doing a good job of preparing myself."
Having to retake the test was bad. But the conditions under which he had to retake the test were worse.
"They put me in this room by myself. There was a desk, a supervisor, and four walls. It was an uncomfortable feeling."
And it didn’t help when the authorities photographed and finger-printed him before the test.
"They treated me like I was a criminal. It got way out of hand."
The good news is that the truth prevailed -- Marico scored an 18.
Q&A
TI: Marico, you’re one of the few highly recruited players from Mobile in recent years to choose Alabama.
MP: Well, I always dreamed of playing for Alabama when I was a kid. I’m just thankful that the dream has come true.
TI: There have been a few rumors that you may play center. Which position do you expect to play?
MP: Guard. I’ll play either guard slot.
TI: The offensive line may be the most difficult position for a true freshman to see playing time. Do you expect to play or redshirt next season?
MP: I plan on being ready to play. I know that they need some help on the offensive line, and I think I can help them next season.
TI: Let’s talk about you as a player. What are the things you need to work on in order to be ready next season?
MP: Mainly, it’s just mentally adjusting to the college game.
TI: How do you adjust yourself mentally?
MP: What I mean by that is learning the offense. I need to learn the system and plays the that we will use. Once I grasp that part of it, I’ll be ready.
TI: Do you know what type of offensive system will be used?
MP: I think there’ll be some two-back and some one-back sets. I think there’ll be more passing and balance than there has been in the past.
TI: Tell us about your strengths.
MP: I can do anything that is needed. I’m good at run blocking and pass blocking. I have really quick feet. I get off the ball very quickly. I have good strength [420 bench press]. I feel that I’m a well-rounded player. I just need to learn the Alabama system.
TI: What did you think of the recruiting class this year?
MP: I think it’s good. I know a lot of the guys already. I’ve become friends with Tyler Watts and Marvin Constant and some of the others. We’re going to be like a family.
TI: Do you think Alabama will rebound from last season’s disappointments?
MP: We’re going to be fine. We’ll make an impact in the SEC next season and go to a good bowl. By my junior year we should be one of the top teams in the nation.
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