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ATH, 6'2, 237, 4.6, 465 bp
Tuscaloosa, AL
High School: Central
HS Number: 44
AL Number: 45
Official Visits: Alabama
Second Choice: Florida
Host During Alabama Visit: Kecalf Bailey
Committed: October 28, 1997
Academic Status: Qualified
Stats
HS Senior Season
Rushing
- 88 carries
- 522 yards
- 5.9 yards per carry
- 5 TDs
Tackles
Honors
- Two-time All-State
- All West Alabama
- Tuscaloosa News Sweet 16
- Tuscaloosa News Preseason Sweet 16
- Pigskin Preps Super South 75
- Forrest Davis Third Team All-South
- Prep Star All-American
Stories
DEEE-fense, DEEE-fense!
It took three years to convince Marvin Constant to try defense. But it only took three games to convince him to stay there.
"I found out that I like hitting a lot more than I like getting hit," Constant says. "I kind of get a rush when I hit someone. It’s like a power feeling."
Marvin began last season as one of the nation’s top fullback prospects. But by the middle of season he was switched to defense, and by the end of the season he was Central’s top defender.
"They [Central coaches] just put me at linebacker and let me go. I averaged 20 tackles a game."
Now Constant looks forward to playing defense at Alabama.
"In high school I had only a few reads to make. But I know that in college there’ll be more to learn. Once I get the system down I’ll be just fine."
There’s a good chance that Marvin will play next season, but he’s not sure at which position.
"I’ll start out at outside linebacker. But I could also be a defensive end. It really doesn’t matter to me which one I play."
Right now Constant is 6'2, 237 pounds -- a good size for a linebacker. But last season he played at 257 pounds -- a sign that he may grow into a defensive end.
Most Memorable Play
It was Tuscaloosa Central’s biggest game of the year. With just two minutes left Central trailed Tuscaloosa County 14-7. Marvin Constant knew that it was time to make a big play.
"They had the ball at their 15-yard line," Constant recalls. "They ran an option and tried to pitch it. I laid the wood to the running back and he fumbled. We recovered and scored a couple plays later to send the game into overtime."
That was the first of three overtimes. Central lost 21-14.
"It was a disappointing loss. But that was a big play. It gave us a chance to win."
He’s a Strong Man
Marvin bench presses 465 pounds! He squats over 600 pounds! And he’s a record-setting strongman for the Central track team.
Marvin has won four state championships in the shot put. He was the state indoor champion in his freshman and senior years, and he was both the indoor and outdoor champion in his junior year. His best toss is 56’3".
Marvin did not compete in the shot put in his sophomore year, and he has not decided whether he’ll compete in the outdoor meet this year.
"I’m just kind of tired right now. Between football, the indoor season, and recruiting -- I need a break."
On The Recruiting Trail …
Close Encounters: Marvin’s Version
Marvin Constant told us that there was nothing especially memorable about his official visit to Alabama. Then we asked about his encounter with Freddie Milons.
"Oh yeah. Me and Freddie talked it up pretty good," Constant said. "We remembered each other real well."
They remembered each other from the day last Spring when Starkville defeated Central 28-21. Both players had great performances and together accounted for all TDs scored in the game.
Milons had the day’s most memorable play. It came following a long run down Central’s sideline.
"One of our players shoved him out of bounds into our sideline area," Constant says. "Freddie ran to our water table and grabbed a cup of our Gatorade and drank it, then looked at us and laughed! We were stunned. You never forget a guy who does something like that."
[See the Freddie Milons version of the close encounter.]
Q&A
TI: Marvin, you dropped 20 pounds since the end of last season. Is that in preparation to play linebacker next season?
MC: Nah, I just felt like I was carrying a little more body fat than I wanted. I wanted to cut back some.
TI: We’ve always projected that you’ll play defensive end. What are your thoughts on that?
MC: It really doesn’t matter to me which one I play. The thing that I like about defensive end and outside linebacker is that I’ll have the opportunity to use my speed and quickness to come off the corner. I could see myself possibly growing into an end.
TI: What are your goals for next season?
MC: Realistically, there’s a lot of learning to do. That’s the big thing. I think that I’ll contribute next year, but it may take some time to learn the defense. I was given two reads to make last year. There’ll be a lot more than that at Alabama.
TI: Do you think there’ll be a transitional period in the physical aspect of the game?
MC: Definitely. It’ll be a very big transition. In high school I couldn’t find many guys who could match up in terms of size and strength. I know that won’t be the case next season. I’ll be challenged everyday.
TI: Marvin, you committed to Alabama early. Then you scheduled a trip to Florida. What were you thinking at that time?
MC: It was just a case of me always liking Florida and then the opportunity arising to take a visit there. But once I took my visit to Alabama that closed the deal. I decided there was no use to even visit Florida.
TI: During your visit to Alabama, was there another prospect who impressed you?
MC: Yeah, Kenric Lott.
TI: What was so impressive about Kenric?
MC: He’s, what, 6’6 or 6’7, 310 pounds? I stood next to him and he made me feel like I was my little sister. He’s awesome looking.
TI: Just think, you’ll be going up against him in practice everyday for the next two years.
MC: Yeah, I haven’t really thought about that. Well, I guess that’s just something I’ve gotta do. I’ll be ready for it when the time comes.
TI: What do you think about the future of Alabama football?
MC: It’s looking good. The last two recruiting classes have been outstanding. There’s a lot of great young players at Alabama right now.
TI: Are you proud to be a part of this year’s recruiting class?
MC: I’m very proud to be a part of one of the best recruiting classes in the nation. Combine this class with the one last year, and there’s going to be a whole lot of "whupping" going on in the next few years.
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