Q&A with Kentucky commitment Marvin Alexander
CatsIllustrated.com touched base with Class of 2018 verbal commitment Marvin Alexander this week and the future Cat opened up on a range of subjects.
From recruiting to UK's momentum at his new school and several other topics, Alexander had a lot to say.
Alexander is one of four future Wildcats at Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade Madonna (Joshua Ali, Chris Whittaker from the 2017 class; he and Davoan Hawkins from the 2018 class).
CATSILLUSTRATED.COM: Has Eddie Gran or any other coach from Kentucky visited your high school recently?
Marvin Alexander: Recently, no... but they've been here for the spring game that we had last week or a couple of weeks ago. It was Coach Gran who came by. I didn't really recognize the other coach, but I did recognize Coach Gran.
CATSILLUSTRATED.COM: How big of a role did Gran play in your decision to commit to Kentucky?
Alexander: He's probably played the biggest role out of anybody on the staff. He kept contacting me, so it made just feel, like, wanted. So me and him probably have the best relationship out of anybody right now.
CATSILLUSTRATED: Kentucky wasn't really known for having a pipeline to your high school (Chaminade Madonna in Hollywood, Fla.) until recently. Is there a lot of buzz about Kentucky right now with two 2017 signees and two 2018 commitments?
Alexander: Yeah, I think it's just the coaches (at Kentucky). They really like the talent we have over here. We just bought into whatever they were telling us. It sounded good and that's why we liked it up there.
CATSILLUSTRATED.COM: How close are you with 2017 signees Josh Ali and Chris Whittaker?
Alexander: I'm close with Josh. Me and Josh are cool. Me and Chris are cool, too, but me and Josh both play receiver, too, so we have more of a tight bond because of that.
CATSILLUSTRATED.COM: What kind of season did Josh have last year?
Alexander: Josh did pretty good. Last year I played against him from when I was at my old high school. We played Chaminade and Josh did pretty good.
CATSILLUSTRATED.COM: You were at Flanagan in Pembroke Pines, where you were teammates with 2017 signee Clevan Thomas. How close are you with him and have you stayed in touch with him since he's been at Kentucky?
Alexander: Oh, yeah. That's my old teammate. Me and him talk a lot when he comes back down from breaks up there. We talk a lot. He tells me that he loves it and there's a good chance he'll get a lot of playing time there. He said it's pretty cold up there but the coaches...they've got a good staff that really pays attention to detail.
CATSILLUSTRATED.COM: Have Josh and Chris told you much about what it's like from their visits?
Alexander: They've told me it's beautiful and they loved it. Every time they go up there they're telling me that.
CATSILLUSTRATED.COM: When will you be visiting Kentucky?
Alexander: I'm visiting in the summer. I'm going for the football camp that they're going to have and I'm going for a visit that same weekend. I think it should be around June 12-14.
CATSILLUSTRATED.COM: Has recruiting died down since you committed to Kentucky or have things picked up?
Alexander: It's been both. When I first committed it died down a little bit but after a while, towards the end of the spring, it started to pick up again.
CATSILLUSTRATED.COM: What are your biggest strengths as a receiver; the things that set you apart from a lot of guys your age?
Alexander: I use my size well. I have a big frame (6'2 1/2, 180) and a big catch radius. It's easier than it is for smaller receivers if I can go up and get a jump ball. Coaches like that about me. And I can use my speed to get down the field.
CATSILLUSTRATED.COM: Is there one part of your game that you've really focused on improving this spring and offseason?
Alexander: One thing I'm trying to get better at is my route running. Since I'm a bigger receiver it's hard to be quick like how smaller receivers are, so I'm trying to work on that.