Four-star athlete Beason names final four
Four-star athlete Marquez Beason from Dallas Bishop Dunne named a top four on Sunday, and now has plans for his official visits this spring.
Orange and Blue News caught up with Beason to get the lowdown on his final four schools and update his recruitment.
Beason, the No. 78 prospect nationally in the class of 2019, had previously named a top 7. He now lists Ohio State, LSU, Texas A&M, and Illinois as his final four schools.
"I just looked at the coaching staffs and the programs, and how I would benefit from each one of the systems," Beason said. "I'm taking my officials visits in the spring."
He lines up on both sides of the ball at Bishop Dunne, and Beason said while he is being recruiting primarily to play defense, he could also play wide receiver at the next level.
Illinois wide receivers coach Andrew Hayes-Stoker has been recruiting Beason. Beason has also already spoken to new safeties coach Gill Byrd and he liked what Byrd had to say.
"The conversation went good," Beason said. "He told me if I committed I could play on both sides of the ball and be a big difference maker for the program."
Illinois had great success recruiting Bishop Dunne players in the class of 2018, landing four-star defensive tackle Calvin Avery and offensive lineman Kievan Meyers.
"They have good things to say about it, that's it a great program, and I could come in and make a difference," Beason said.
Illinois had Beason on campus in Champaign for a camp last summer along with Avery, Meyers, and his brother Zeriah Beason, a highly-regarded 2020 wide receiver.
Beason will now take official visits to Illinois on April 6-8, Texas A&M on April 13-15, and LSU on April 20-22. He will also take an official visit to Ohio State, but hasn't yet set up a specific dates.
IN HIS WORDS
On Ohio State
"Coach Urban Meyers is a great coach, and he knows how to win. he's won at every school that he's been at. The produce DB's every year. They produce great talent on both the defensive and offensive side."
On Texas A&M
"Jimbo Fisher is a great leader and he knows how to win as well. They are really changing the program over at Texas A&M. I could see myself as part of the system as a lock-down corner."
On LSU
"Coach O showed me a great time when I was out there and they are really recruiting me hard. It's a very family-oriented place out at LSU. It's a great system and they produce a lot of DB's. "
On Illinois
"Lovie Smith is a great coach and they have a lot of NFL experience. They've been to the level that I want to get, and they know how to get there. And it's in the Big Ten, so there's great competition each and every week. "