North opens up
ATLANTA - Seeing as how Mallard Creek wide receiver Marquez North is one of the top playmakers in the country, one would think the recruiting process would have engulfed him at this point.
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North, however, has refused to let that happen this summer, and is taking the process as slowly as he possibly can.
"I haven't been worried about recruiting much this summer," said North. "We have a new quarterback and we've been working hard to try and get better and get ready for next season."
He hasn't completely shut his recruitment down for the summer though.
North took a visit to Tennessee recently, and came away impressed with what the Volunteers had to offer.
"Tennessee was real nice," he said. "Their facilities are huge, and their coaches are really energetic. It was a cool place to go. That has been the only visit I have taken this summer."
Back in the spring, North told UGASports that he had a top six of North Carolina, Clemson, Georgia, Florida, Ohio State, and North Carolina State, and the fact that he hasn't spent much time on his recruitment this summer causes that group to remain virtually the same.
"Those are pretty much the schools that are in there," said North. "Auburn and Tennessee too. Those are my main schools and the schools that are recruiting me the hardest. I'm really open too so I'm not sure I have a top school right now. I'm just really taking it slow."
Georgia was one of the first teams to start recruiting North when he was a sophomore in high school, and according to the four-star playmaker, the Bulldogs are still pursuing him as hard as anyone.
"I still hear from Georgia a lot," said North. "I haven't talked to them in a little while, but it is because I've been busy. I still talk to Coach (Tony) Ball a lot, though."
The summer has given North a chance to lay low and avoid pressure of recruiting, but he also understands that, at some point, he is going to have to figure it all out.
Right now, the plan is for him to do that during the season.
"I haven't visited much anywhere so far because it all depends on when my dad has some time off," said North. "I plan on taking visits during the season though and talking all of my five official visits during the year."
The Rivals100 pass catcher hasn't visited UGA in well over a year, but with the Bulldogs in hot pursuit, he is sure he will get there sometime in the near future.
"I'm 100% sure that I'm going to get up to Georgia," said North. "I will probably give them an official visit, but I know I'll get up there at some point. They are up there really high on my list so I am going to get there."
The season is approaching quickly, and the Charlotte native knows that Signing Day is also approaching.
Despite all of that, he is still in no rush and doesn't play to push the envelope at any point.
"I don't know when I am going to decide honestly," said North. "I mean, I'll do it when I know it is right. I am just looking for a team that has good academics, but has an explosive offense and a strong will to win. That is what I am looking for."