Jihad Marks wasn’t born when the popular Australian pop band “Crowded House” burst onto the music scene in the mid 1980’s but the talented Desert Edge High wide receiver goes home to one every day. He is one of 11 kids.
Yes, 11.
“It’s like a party every day,” Marks said to Sports360AZ.com with a wide smile after a recent spring workout. “You could say we’re competitive because we’re an athletic family.”
A star wide receiver who the Scorpions even used at safety a bit last fall as a junior, Jihad has followed in older brother Elijah Marks‘ footsteps at Desert Edge. Elijah starred at Northern Arizona University before getting an NFL look from the Kansas City Chiefs last summer. Older sister Mecca runs track at Pima Community College in Tucson.
Now Jihad is well on his way to creating his own path to the next level. He has an offer from big brother’s alma mater in Flagstaff, as well as South Dakota State and most recently, Idaho.
Blessed?? to receive my 3rd D1 offer from the University of Idaho Vandals. Huge thanks to @CoachSJOliver and the rest of the Vandals coaching staff for the opportunity to play at the next level. #GoVandals pic.twitter.com/SVIM2wOSOf
— Jihad Marks (@JihadMarks) May 15, 2019
“They like his ability to make plays in the clutch,” Lucero explained when asked what college coaches like about Marks’ skill set. “They like that he can make tough catches down the field and they really like his size.”
Outside of the physical attributes, Lucero says Marks is taking more of a leadership role on the field and, more importantly, a greater attention to detail in the classroom.
4×4 ? @AndrewP_05 @JihadMarks @keithmckaney pic.twitter.com/vu6u8VKFCh
— Steven Ortiz Jr (@1stevenortizjr) April 25, 2019
He’s also benefitted from working against standout Edge cornerback and close friend Steven Ortiz, Jr. who holds offers from Arizona, Penn State, Nebraska, Oregon, Syracuse and other Power Five schools.
“They say iron sharpens iron, that’s what we come out to do everyday,” Marks explained. “He’s always giving me different looks [on the field].”
Whether from opposing defenses on Friday nights in the fall or simply hanging out at home, Marks almost always draws a crowd.
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Eric Sorenson
A Valley native, Eric has had a passion for the Arizona sports scene since an early age. He has covered some of the biggest events including Super Bowls, national championships and the NBA and MLB playoffs in his near 20 years in local media.