Marquise Lightfoot
Miami#101 overallScouting Report
Marquise Lightfoot is a long, twitchy edge rusher from Chicago. He came to Miami as one of the most decorated recruits in his class and has become a key part of the Hurricanes' defensive end rotation. He was a five-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite and the On3 Industry Rankings. On3 rated him as high as No. 10 nationally, and both On3 and Rivals had him No. 2 at his position. He chose Miami over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame and USC. Miami's roster lists him at 6-5 and 235 pounds, up from the roughly 220 pounds 247Sports verified while recruiting him. Coming out of Kenwood, 247Sports described a rusher who wins with change of direction, agility and finesse rather than power, and who was learning to use his speed to get tackles to overset before cutting back inside. The same report praised his motor in pursuit but said he needed to get stronger and add to his pass-rush moves. His 2024 true freshman season was mostly special teams work across nine games. In 2025 he played all 16 games with one start and had 25 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and six hurries as Miami reached the national title game. His best showing came in the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State, where both of his tackles went for a loss, one of them a sack. Now a junior, he still projects as a developing, rotational rusher. His draft stock depends on adding play strength to a frame built to carry more weight.
Draft Movement
Up 1 spot since Sep 28
Strengths
- Five-star recruiting pedigree, ranked No. 10 nationally by On3 and No. 2 at his position by On3 and Rivals
- Long 6-5 frame with clear room to add weight, already up from about 220 to 235 pounds
- Change of direction and agility to beat blockers with quickness and finesse
- Uses his speed to get tackles to overset, then counters back inside
- High motor, chases down plays from the backside
- Can rush standing up or with his hand in the dirt
- Played well on the biggest stage, with two tackles for loss including a sack against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl
- Played in all 16 games for a team that reached the national title game
Weaknesses
- Still light for an every-down end at 235 pounds and needs to get stronger at the point of attack
- Pass-rush moves were still being built as a recruit and remain a work in progress
- Modest college production so far, 2.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss in his first real season of snaps
- Only one career start through two seasons
- 2024 role was mostly special teams, so there is little film of him against starting tackles
- Won with speed and finesse as a recruit and has yet to show he can win with power
College Stats
2025: 16 GP, 1 start, 25 tkl, 5.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 6 QB hurries, 1 PBU; 2024: 9 GP (mostly special teams), 1 QB hurry
College Market Value
Our model prices him at $1.04M on the open college market, built from production, pedigree, role and Miami's program money. No credible deal has been reported for him this season.
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Measurables
Awards & Honors
Five-star prospect (247Sports Composite, On3 Industry Rankings); All-American Bowl selection; IHSFCA 6A All-State (junior year); News-Gazette all-state first team (senior year)