Marcellas Dial

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Marcellas Dial
New England Patriots
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (2000-12-06) December 6, 2000 (age 23)
Woodruff, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school:Woodruff (Woodruff, South Carolina)
College:Georgia Military College (2019–2020)
South Carolina (2021–2023)
NFL draft:2024 / Round: 6 / Pick: 180
Career history
Roster status:Unsigned draft pick

Marcellas Rashard Dial Jr. (born December 6, 2000) is an American football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia Military College and for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Early life[edit]

Dial was born on December 6, 2000, and grew up in Woodruff, South Carolina.[1] He attended Woodruff High School but received little attention to play college football, ultimately signing with Georgia Military College.[2]

College career[edit]

As a freshman at Georgia Military College in 2019, Dial totaled 10 tackles, one fumble recovery and an interception.[3] The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Dial transferred to the South Carolina Gamecocks for the 2021 season.[4][5][6] He had been ranked by 247Sports as the 51st-best junior college recruit nationally and the seventh-best cornerback.[7]

In his first year at South Carolina, Dial became a starter and appeared in 13 games, starting seven while posting 33 tackles, six pass deflections and a forced fumble.[8] In 2022, he played 13 games, starting 10, and had 45 tackles while leading the team with 12 pass breakups and three interceptions.[9][10] He returned for a final season in 2023 and had 36 tackles and 10 pass breakups.[1] Dial was invited to participate at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.[11]

Professional career[edit]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+34 in
(1.82 m)
190 lb
(86 kg)
32 in
(0.81 m)
8+78 in
(0.23 m)
4.46 s 1.55 s 2.61 s 4.44 s 7.29 s 40.5 in
(1.03 m)
10 ft 9 in
(3.28 m)
16 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[12][13][14]

Dial was selected with the 180th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft by the New England Patriots.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Marcellas Dial". South Carolina Gamecocks.
  2. ^ Mitchell, Garrett (January 5, 2021). "Former Woodruff Football Star Fulfills Dream of Playing for Gamecocks". The Woodruff Times.
  3. ^ Kornblut, Phil (March 25, 2020). "Gamecocks add junior college transfer". The Index-Journal. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ Boynton, Eric (April 15, 2021). "Former Woodruff football star Marcellas Dial could start right away for South Carolina". Spartanburg Herald-Journal.
  5. ^ Stone, Augusta (August 31, 2021). "South Carolina's retooled secondary taking shape. JUCO transfer could play key role". The State.
  6. ^ Cloninger, David (August 29, 2021). "Marcellas Dial steps into cornerback void left by Smith injury, Prunty transfer". Post and Courier.
  7. ^ Barnes, Micah (October 13, 2023). "The rundown: Key players for Mizzou and South Carolina". Columbia Missourian.
  8. ^ Macheca, Joe (December 25, 2022). "Marcellas Dial embracing the role of primary Cornerback for South Carolina". On3.com.
  9. ^ Bezjak, Lou (April 4, 2023). "South Carolina without veteran defensive starter at latest spring football practice". The State.
  10. ^ Griffin, Joseph (August 15, 2023). "How Marcellas Dial Can Fill The Void At Cornerback". Sports Illustrated.
  11. ^ McGranahan, Hale (March 1, 2024). "Dial putting together solid day at NFL Combine". 247Sports.
  12. ^ "Marcellas Dial Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  13. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Marcellas Dial College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  14. ^ "2024 South Carolina Pro Day Results" (PDF). GameCocksOnline.com. Retrieved April 13, 2024.

External links[edit]