Ballards Maurice Marchman picks UK

LOUISVILLE – The University of Kentucky football program received yet another in-state commitment, their second in the last 24 hours.

Ballard High School receiver Maurice Marchman has committed to UK, Bruins coach Mark Catlett said.

The 6-foot, 195-pounder picked Kentucky over Boston College, Louisville, Cincinnati, Miami University and Indiana.

“I think he's a steal,” Catlett told The Courier-Journal. “He'll be a fantastic receiver in college. He has great skills, a great awareness of the game, and every year he's matured physically and mentally. Maurice is a big-play guy and a threat every time he touches the ball. I think physically he can play as a freshman at Kentucky."

During his junior season, Marchman amassed 583 yards rushing and caught 71 passes for 1,025 yards and nine touchdowns -- numbers good enough to place him as the state's fifth-leading receiver during the 2000 season. After five games this season Marchman ranks second in the state with 24 receptions for 634 yards and six TDs. He had three TD catches, including two of 75 yards, last week in a 50-14 victory over Fern Creek.

A multi-talented player, Marchman runs a 4.45-second 40-yard dash. He finished eighth in the Class AAA 100-yard dash and also the 200 last spring at the state track meet. He ran the 100 in 11.42 seconds and the 200 in 26.73.

Marchman maintains a 3.0 GPA, and is expected to be eligible as a freshmen.

Marchman joins Bo Smith, out of Owensboro High School, as the two latest players to give verbals to the University of Kentucky.

See complete list of University of Kentucky verbals (Note: Darimy Crawford, a 2001 signee, may enroll in Jan. 2001, which would count against the 2001 total).