Time is now for Purdue OL Marcus Mbow, who's poised for big things
Marcus Mbow is just wrapping up his fourth semester at Purdue. But, he feels like a leader.
“Yeah, I’m trying my best to be vocal and keep everybody high morale and keep them working,” said Mbow. “That’s my goal is to be a leader.”
Mbow is ready not to just lead, also to become one of the better offensive linemen in the Big Ten.
He emerged in 2022 as a key member of the o-line, starting all 14 games at right guard for the Big Ten West champs. Mbow is poised to reprise his role at guard in 2023, while also continuing to work at tackle in the spring.
“We got a lot of versatile linemen, a lot of athletic linemen that can play anywhere one through five,” said Mbow. “So, I think that’s gonna help us a lot with depth and just being able to keep guys fresh. For me, it’s just been the same right guard, right tackle, switching back and forth, getting reps, just trying to get better each day.”
The 6-5, 305-pound Mbow is one of the most affable players on the Purdue roster, a soft-spoken and engaging personality who always seems to be enjoying the moment.
The Wisconsin native will be an anchor for what could be a solid Boilermaker o-line that also will feature returning starters in tackles Mahamane Moussa and Eric Miller, along with center Gus Hartwig–who has been out this spring recovering from a knee injury.
MORE: 2023 Purdue spring football content hub
Mbow has a better appreciation for the experience he’s gained and how that could translate to success this fall.
“I noticed the difference between now and when I was a freshman, when I wasn’t playing,” said Mbow. “It’s just like the speed of the game slows down. You feel more mature out there, you feel like you can be a leader more and you can say things, encourage people. And it honestly feels good just to have the game a little bit more slowed down, just able to be a leader and get better at the same time.”
Mbow and the linemen found themselves working with a new line coach just as spring drills were set to start. Matt Mattox left abruptly for personal reasons, and Marcus Johnson was brought in from Missouri to lead the front.
“Coach Johnson is an outstanding coach,” said Mbow. “I really like Coach Johnson. He has experience, he knows what he’s talking about, he’s big, so he makes people listen when he talks. I really like Coach Johnson. He’s gonna be a great coach to work with. I can already tell.”
One of Johnson’s tasks will be to find help at guard after first Spencer Holstege (UCLA) left and then Sione Finau (Arizona State) hit the portal. Depth also must be shored up for a unit that has some chops.
“(Offensive line) is the most important position on any football team. Experience there really helps,” said offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. “Especially at that position, experience together. That’s five individuals that have to kind of play as one individual. The more reps you have built in at that position together really makes a huge difference. Having some experience there helps.”
