WARNER ROBINS, Ga. -- Having scored over 20 points per game the past two seasons, leading the Demons to the AAAAA state championship and quarterfinals the last two seasons, it is easy to see the ability on the hardwood for Marquez Callaway (Warner Robins, Ga./Warner Robins). The Region 2-AAAAA Player of the Year and two-time all-state selection is an explosive scorer.
But while his ability in basketball is impressive, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound athlete knows his skillset is tougher to find on the gridiron.
"I think he is a better basketball player," said Maureen Callaway, Marquez's mom. "I am not encouraging both. Hopefully he will focus on football - he has already said that he will play football in college."
Considered the No. 12 prospect in Georgia, No. 7 athlete in the country and No. 107 overall in the 2016 class by the 247Sports Composite, Callaway has done a little of everything on the football field this season, with eight carries for 183 yards and a touchdown, 26 receptions for 405 yards and five touchdowns, 19 tackles, seven pass breakups and three interceptions on defense, one which he returned for a touchdown, and four punt returns for 64 yards, and three kickoff returns for 67 yards in seven games.
When the invite came to be part of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, the decision was easy.
"We are a military family with members in every branch other than Coast Guard, his mom and me, her dad, my dad, we all served time in the Armed Forces," Antonio Callaway, Marquez's father. With both of us being Army veterans, and Marquez's brother Michael Callaway being deployed in Korea now at Camp Humphreys, this event is special to us because the Army teaches responsibility. It is so nice to see him do something for the people that serve.
On Tuesday, in front of his teammates, coaches, teachers and family, Callaway was presented with his U.S. Army All-American Bowl jersey, as part of the U.S. Army All-American Selection Tour, presented by American Family Insurance.
Callaway will participate in the 16th edition of the game, which takes place in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday, January 9, 2016, at the Alamodome, broadcast live on NBC at 1 p.m. ET. To date, 299 Army All-Americans have been selected in the NFL draft, including Andrew Luck, Jamaal Charles, Patrick Peterson, Adrian Peterson, Odell Beckham Jr., Eric Berry, Tim Tebow, Joe Thomas, Tyron Smith, C.J. Mosley, and DeMarco Murray.
"It is such a great honor to be a part of this game, just to be able to give back to them and honor their service to us means the world to me," Callaway said.
As far as his recruitment is concerned, Callaway lists no leaders. He has been to games at Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee this fall.
"I would say Notre Dame, Tennessee, South Carolina and Mississippi State are recruiting me the hardest," Callaway said.
The Volunteers are selling an opportunity to see the field in 2016.
"They are saying I would have to step right in and play since they have guys graduating," Callaway said. "I just want to get out there and play."
Ole Miss and Miami are two programs Callaway would also like to take official visits.
Callaway says a January or signing day decision is likely on tap. If he were to announce right now, the Top247 athlete says only one hat is guaranteed to be on the table.
"Notre Dame," Callaway said. "I do not know of any others at this time."
The Irish have impressed the Peach State native with how well they set their student-athletes up for success during and after their playing days are over.
"I know I will get a degree that will provide me with a good job, but most importantly I love how well they take care of their players," Callaway said.
