New Bears on the Block: RS Frosh Portal WR Marquez Dortch
In their quest to add speed and depth to their receiving corps in 2023, the Bears dipped into the Magnolia State for some speed on the edge with redshirt frosh WR Marquez Dortch in the spring portal signing period. The 6-0/170 former consensus 4 star recruit from Georgetown County High School in Lucedale, MS was one of their primary targets they were able to rope in heading into the summer.
Dortch was rated the #4 player in the state as a prep senior by 247Sports and the No. 23 receiver in the class after pulling in 41 receptions for 660 yards and 7 TDs along with 207 yards on five kickoff returns with one taken back for a touchdown as a senior in 2021.
“There were great coaches there (at MSU), for sure,” Dortch said. “They taught me a lot on and off the field about how to elevate my life to the next level.”
Dortch originally committed to MSU after fielding offers from Auburn, Miami, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Indiana and more as a prep. He also competed in track and field and clocked a blazing 10.5 in the 100 meters and long jumped an impressive 23’9.”
Dortch played in one game for the Bulldogs in 2022, preserving his redshirt status playing behind seven receivers and two running backs with at least 30 receptions on the season.
The speedy WR credits his relationship with the Cal staff as one of the primary attractions to him for Cal leading up to his decision, with DC Peter Sirmon, who spent several years in neighboring North Carolina with the Carolina Panthers as one of his primary initial contacts.
“Coach Sirmon called me,” Dortch said. “We had that instant build right away on the phone. And ever since I got here, it’s been exciting.
“My relationship with Coach Burl is also very, very tight. We hit up each other every day, chopping it up.”
Dortch came in with a solid group of WR transfers with a variety of size and skillsets. He’s gradually gotten to know his new WR teammates in these first couple of weeks on campus. He joins 6’3/205 University of Illinois senior WR Brian Hightower, 6-2/205 University of Washington junior WR Taj Davis and 6-5/210 junior JC transfer Marquis Montgomery along with 6-2/195 frosh WR Nyziah Hunter as the newest Bears WR additions heading into the 2023 season.
“It's been pretty good so far,” Dortch said. “Different skills and everything on the field and we’re getting to know each other a lot.”
As to what he’s most looking forward to, the RS frosh noted: “Football for sure. Getting to know more people on and off the field and just taking Cal to a new level.
“Go Bears!”
Related:
Bears Add Speed at WR in Mississippi State Portal Transfer Marquez Dortch
New Bears on the Block: Cal Senior Grad Transfer WR Brian Hightower
New Bears on the Block: Cal Grad Transfer WR Taj Davis