By Gary Housteau

sports@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

With the start of the high school season just a few weeks away, Ursuline’s Jeff Marx secured his career in life beyond his football playing days by giving a verbal commitment to play college football at the Naval Academy last Saturday.

“I just committed to Navy last week,” Marx said. “I loved the coaching staff, it felt like home and I felt like committing was the right thing to do at the right time.”

It’s actually a school that Marx wasn’t even contemplating on attending at one time.

“No not really,” he replied. “But during the process I definitely was thinking like the service was right for me. So playing football and serving my country is definitely the best of two worlds for me. I just fell in love with the whole concept. I get a great education with great football and a great opportunity.”

Marx made two visits to the campus at Annapolis, Md., one of which was an official visit, before he decided to continue his football career at the collegiate level.

“My family really loved it, I really loved it, it felt like home,” Marx said. “It’s a big-time program with a big-time schedule. We play Notre Dame every year, we play all these big time schools, it just really hit me in the face. It’s really exciting to be able to play DI football.”

And serving his country in the Navy is truly a bonus for Marx.

“ ‘Duty, honor, country’ — it’s a pretty big statement down there that you serve and you’re well looked at,” Marx said. “I’ll probably be on a boat, like a destroyer or something after football. I don’t know about the boots on the ground concept but if it comes to that, probably.”

Just one year ago, Marx never even imagined something like this actually happening.

“Not at all,” he said. “A year ago I was thinking that a MAC school would pick me up but to have a Service Academy pick me up, it was pretty surreal. So I’m pretty honored about it.”

The two-way tackle’s commitment to the Naval Academy is as solid as his 6-foot-1, 290-pound frame.

“Right now it’s pretty set in stone because I love the coaching staff, I love the facilities down there, I love everything about it,” Marx said. “It feels like home.”

Ursuline head coach Larry Kempe is certainly proud of Marx’s selection.

“He had a lot of offers and a lot of people who were interested in him and he chose the Naval Academy,” Kempe said. “He had all three Academies, some DII’s, some I-AA offers and he chose the Naval Academy, which I’m very proud of. It’s great to have an Ursuline representative in the Military services.”

Marx’s resume at Ursuline as a football player is pretty impeccable already so Navy is getting a great football prospect.

“Jeff’s just a fabulous football player,” Kempe said. “He’s a legit four-year starter, a legit four-year letter winner, and he’s played both sides of the ball for us. But the thing I’m most proud of is the way he’s matured over the four years to where now he’s accepting a leadership role.”

Now Marx needs to finish his career strong and lead Ursuline to where they ultimately want to go.

“He’s worked hard at a goal and he’s reached one goal,” Kempe said. “Now we have to get the season going and see how that goal pans out.”