McCoy motivated by past Bay Area stars

Marqel McCoy (Berean Christian of Walnut Creek) is looking to make some noise on the recruiting trail by teaming up with TMP Elite and head coach Terrance Leonard (photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna). 

Marqel McCoy has spent the offseason itching to get his first scholarship offer and have his name in front of college football coaches; and he’s using past Bay Area stars plus the club team they played for as his motivation.

He’s inspired by Oklahoma Sooner Joe Mixon (Freedom High of Oakley), Arizona State Sun Devil D.J. Calhoun (El Cerrito) and Fresno State Bulldog Michael Lazarus (Berkeley); all of whom competed for the club squad McCoy is with now: TMP Elite.

“They motivate me a lot,” McCoy said. “Coach T (Terrance Leonard) is very connected. Hopefully I can make a name out of myself as well.”

McCoy, who lines up at wide receiver and safety for Berean Christian in Walnut Creek, has spent his February and March running routes for TMP. His recent appearance with TMP was at Passing Down’s Nor Cal Regional on March 15 in Livermore, which saw McCoy blow past man coverage and haul down the jump ball.

McCoy emerged as one of TMP’s big targets at 6’3”, 190-pounds. But after a solid showing against some of the best athletes in Northern California at Livermore, the Class of 2016 prospect said he wants to improve against elite competition.

“I need to see how I measure up against the best corners around here,” McCoy said. “I also need to continue to work on getting around my guy and getting strong, plus getting out of my breaks.”

McCoy, who holds a 3.6 grade point average, adds that “my jumping ability and catching the ball in the air” are two of his strengths at wide receiver.

He’s currently having conversations with Army, Yale, Northern Arizona and Harvard about a possible scholarship pledge.