Meet MarShawn Lloyd, DeMatha’s next running back sensation

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Elijah Brooks’ smile widened as he drilled deeper into his appraisal of MarShawn Lloyd, a rising sophomore running back who possesses a dimension the DeMatha coach has never seen before

“As far as his physical ability — his ability to go zero to 100 — it’s unlike any back I’ve seen here,” said Brooks, who’s entering his seventh season at the helm of DeMatha and once a Division I running back himself. “He’s the most explosive back that I’ve seen come through [at DeMatha].”

Any high school football fan in the DMV knows DeMatha churns out the cream of the crop, especially backfield prodigies. The list gleams with names: 2013 Gatorade Player of the Year and current Wisconsin back, Taiwan Deal; Lorenzo Harrison and Anthony McFarland, two cornerstones in Maryland’s backfield; Mark Allen, a current piece in Penn State’s rushing attack are notable ball carriers in Brooks’ tenure.

And who could forget about Steve Smith, a captain on Penn State’s 1986 National Championship team, and NFL great Brian Westbrook? Alright, pump the brakes, says Brooks.

“Yes, we’ve had talented backs, but [Marshawn] is unproven right now,” he said. “Still green in a lot of areas, but you can’t deny his talent.”

For those who followed DeMatha last season, Lloyd needs no introduction. For everyone else, remember the name. With just 31 varsity carries to his ledger, Lloyd is set to become the Stags’ feature running back this fall and already garners offers from Kentucky, Maryland, Rutgers and Virginia Tech.

This past week, 247sports ranked him as the ninth-best player and top-rated running back in the Class of 2020.

“It’s unbelievable to hear that even come out of his mouth,” Lloyd said of Brooks’ comments. “Hearing that come out of his mouth, it’s an honor.”

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Pondering on his new role, Lloyd added: “Just getting physically prepared for it. I know it’s a big load that I have to follow; all of the great backs that came through here. Anthony McFarland, Lorenzo [Harrison]; really big. I know I have big shoes to fill. … It’s a lot of pressure, but I do feel honored; playing after them, having the chance to carry on what they left behind. Being able to have this opportunity to play and being able to have the same opportunity they had, it’s a blessing.”

Lloyd, who totaled 319 yards and six total touchdowns on 31 carries last year as a freshman, means that wholeheartedly. One reason why the Middletown, Del. native decided to attend DeMatha is because of the opportunity to walk the same trail that Westbrook traveled, the Philadelphia Eagles hall of famer.

“He played for my favorite team. I love the Eagles,” Lloyd said. “He’s great; a legend.”

O. Josh Ilori on Twitter

@k_fadd @RicardoReport @DeMathaFootball @LloydMarshawn Mark my words, Lloyd is gonna be a household name in DMV football by mid season. One of the most agile backs I’ve seen

But on that path Westbrook helped pave, Lloyd has merely proceeded a few feet. Like his coach said, the potential to be one the greatest ball carriers in Stags history is evident, but there’s a long way to go.

Over the offseason, Lloyd has upped his weight from a lean 190 pounds to a now chiseled 210. He’s also gained a pep, shaving his 40-yard dash time from 4.50 to a sub-4.4. His stride, already smooth as butter, is even more fluid, and he isn’t afraid to chug full-steam ahead at some of the nation’s toughest front-sevens

“You know, the late night work, here and there,” Lloyd said. “Anyway to put the extra work in. Coming to practice every day working really hard, having the mindset to do it. Trying my best each and every rep.”

Chad Ricardo on Twitter

This kid Marshawn Lloyd is the TRUTH!

Coupled with the extra work, Lloyd has put himself to the test. In July, he competed in the FBU All-American freshman game in Georgia and later attended Ohio State University’s Friday Night Lights camp, where Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer and running backs coach Stan Drayton approached him with positivity.

“They said, ‘Dang, you’re huge, and fast,’” Lloyd recalled. “All I said was, ‘Thank you.’”

His quarterback, senior Ty Lenhart, views Lloyd along those same lines, too.

“Most gifted back I’ve seen,” said Lenhart, who’s been at DeMatha since his freshman year.

He snapped his fingers.

“He can turn up speed like that,” Lenhart said. “Zero to 60 in a blink of an eye. It’s going to be awesome to see what he does. A lot of people don’t know about him, but they sure will pretty soon.”

((( Jacob Bogage ))) on Twitter

@WestfieldFB @DeMathaFootball DeMatha’s Marshawn Lloyd is as good as advertised. Doesn’t need a whole lot of room. Bouncy runner – pings around into open space. #allmets

As the Stags feature back, Lloyd will be thrown into the fire from the onset. DeMatha opens up the 2017 season Friday, August 25, on the road against the second-ranked team in the nation by MaxPreps, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas).  Oh, and not to mention, it’s nationally televised on ESPNU.

“It’s crazy,” Lloyd said.

But that’s not even at the top of his worries.

“The traffic around here; now, that’s the worst,” Lloyd said. “Games like those is why I’m glad I chose to come here.”

Barring an event that would keep him from doing so, Lloyd will partake in heavyweight bouts like the one on August 25 for the next three seasons. That, alone, gives Brooks all the right reasons to fix a beaming smile.

“Never coached a back like him,” Brooks told 247sports. “You will be hard-pressed to find another sophomore or junior back better. Most explosive back to come through DeMatha the last 20 years.”

“If you remember Reggie Bush at USC, he’s like that, but [Marshawn] is 210.”