Marquan McCall's explosiveness, maturity on display in fall camp

Marquan McCall’s physical growth – or shrink, rather – as a player this offseason has been well-documented. Tasked with the difficult job of replacing Quinton Bohanna as the team’s anchor on the defensive line in 2021, the standout nose guard has cut 40 pounds since last season and is below 350 pounds for the first time since high school.

It’s a body change that had UK defensive coordinator Brad White daydreaming about on-field production possibilities for McCall, who he feels can be a “difference maker” on the defensive line.

“You’ve got a guy in Marquan McCall that has played significant snaps, played as a true freshman. Now he’s in year four here and he understands this is his time,” White said of McCall to open fall camp. “His body is in as good of shape as he’s been since I’ve been here and he’s been here. He’s ready to take that step. … He does have a chance to be a difference-maker for us and we need him to be that.”

The on-field impact has come with the body transformation to open fall camp, but not just in terms of individual production. He’s also grown as a leader, something that has caught the attention of his veteran teammates.

“He’s a guy that’s going to hold other guys accountable, and that’s what I like to see. I like to see him hold those guys accountable on the field,” senior defensive end Josh Paschal said Saturday. “He’s also the type of guy to have fun the guys, as well. It’s a good balance to have, being able to tell someone they need to step up, but celebrate them when they do. Marquan has that great balance.”

“In offseason workouts, it used to be us telling Marquan to pick it up,” senior guard Luke Fortner added. “Now it’s Marquan telling us to pick it up.”

In his first three years with the program, McCall has racked up 48 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in 31 total games played. Early reports are that those numbers are going to see a significant spike in year four.

It starts with his athleticism and newfound explosiveness.

“You look to your right or to your left and look at that nose and see someone you can trust and someone that’s explosive,” Paschal said of McCall. “I’d say he’s a playmaker, you’ll see him during the fall. He’s a big guy that shouldn’t be able to move that fast.”

McCall is not only bettering himself, but those around him, a recipe for success going into 2021.

“There’s not a time you go against Marquan and don’t get better. Really,” Fortner added. “He truly moves faster than any human his size should. He has been changing the way he works. … The way he’s approached it has been incredible. He’s a hard man to block, for sure.”