CJ Marable

Running Back / Coastal Carolina

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

CJ Marable:  5’8, my weight is in the 197 – 200-pound range and my 40 time was a 4.42 during training last month.    

Alex Khvatov:  How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?

CJ Marable:  We actually had our whole spring practice with the team.  We got shut down with Covid-19 during spring break.  I continued to work out with my trainer in Atlanta and my strength trainer as well.  I had the resources.  I am here with my girlfriend in Tennessee, and I am training with Boost Fit.  It is a training facility that gets guys ready for the combine and their pro days.   

Alex Khvatov:  Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?

CJ Marable:  I ran track for a little bit.  I played baseball, but it interfered with football.  I love football really hard.   

Alex Khvatov:  What positions did you play in high school? 

CJ Marable:  I played RB, WR, cornerback, safety, LB, kick returner and punt returner.  I was an athlete in high school.          

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

CJ Marable:  Out of high school, I signed with Arkansas State.  Out of nowhere, they told me that my ACT score was low.  Before they told me, my score was good.  I had to come in during the next spring semester and be a blueshirt.  I talked on the phone with a coach.  Around July, I took the ACT and got a 21.  I passed, and they announced me on their page.  Then they stopped contacting me in November and December.  I didn’t talk to them.  We decided to go our separate ways.  I was going to go to JUCO.  My high school coach told Presbyterian about my issue.  I talked to them.  They told me if I make it down there quickly, they will give me a full ride.

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your career at Presbyterian College.    

CJ Marable:  I was out for the whole season the year before, but I wasn’t nervous coming into the game.  During my first season, we played Wake Forest.  I had a great game.  I gained 162 yards against them.  During the second game, I had 90 yards against The Citadel.  Every week, I was improving.  I was a captain that year.  I was the lead back from week one.   

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you transfer to Coastal Carolina? 

CJ Marable:  Presbyterian was losing scholarships.  The football program was declining.  They told everyone that any players that they would bring in the future, they would be non-scholarship players.  My good friend, CB Rock Ya-Sin was looking to transfer to Temple.  I told myself if Rock leaves, I will leave as well.  My coach at Presbyterian connected with Coastal Carolina.  I wanted to go to an FBS level.  I visited Coastal, and the campus is beautiful here.  I had a meeting with them.  They saw me having a big impact in this offense.  I would also be able to play Arkansas State in the Sun Belt every year.     

Alex Khvatov:  How would you describe your overall career with Coastal Carolina?      

CJ Marable:  During my sophomore year, I had 719 rushing yards and eight total TD’s.  I was the team’s Offensive Player of the Year.  Last season, I had a great year.  I rushed for over 1,000 yards, 295 receiving yards and 14 total TD’s.  I was the Offensive Player of the Year at Coastal Carolina.  Sun Belt put me as an honorable mention last year.  We didn’t know how to finish last year as a team.  I have been a captain since my sophomore year.  By the fifth game, I was a captain almost every week.  We picked captains every week that year.  During my junior year, I was a captain for the entire year.  

Alex Khvatov:  What can we expect from your team this upcoming season? 

CJ Marable:  We need to finish games better this year.  We lost by 24 total points in seven losses.  We are thinking about how we will overcome that number 24.  This recruiting class will help us.  We should get to a bowl game.  Our goal is to win the Sun Belt championship.     

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

CJ Marable:  I bring speed, and my vision is great.  I can catch the ball out of the backfield.  I have great hands, and my route running is very good.     

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

CJ Marable:  Improve on my blocking.  I also need to be better at breaking tackles and winning that one on one battle. 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

CJ Marable:  When I went to PC (Presbyterian College), I overcame adversity.  Everything that happened to me with Arkansas State, I proved that I belonged at PC.  I was able to do damage and have a great impact.      

Alex Khvatov:  What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff? 

CJ Marable:  Be a man.  Stand on your own two feet and be accountable.  Be a man of your word.  Be respectful.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

CJ Marable:  Christian McCaffrey and Dalvin Cook.    

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?

CJ Marable:  LB Teddy Gallagher, DE Tarron Jackson, DT C.J. Brewer, DE Jeffrey Gunter, and C Trey Carter.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

CJ Marable:  App State had a LB Akeem Davis-Gaither who was a really smart player.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a RB?

CJ Marable:  You have to be versatile.  The era of the 30+carry RB is over.  You have to run routes, catch the ball and block well.        

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

CJ Marable:  Just the opportunity it gives you.  Where I grew up, I didn’t have access to traveling.  Now I am able to travel around the country.  Seeing different things and meeting new people.  It also changes your life and people’s lives by playing football.  I love the smell of the football and the grass.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

CJ Marable:  My new hobby is fishing.  It is peaceful and calm.  But you can also compete against each other.      

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

CJ Marable:  I want to be around football.  Coaching or being an agent.  I have been thinking about it.  I also want to help kids out.   

Alex Khvatov:  What makes you unique?

CJ Marable:  I am laser focused.  When I set my mind to something, I will achieve it.  I work hard and keep grinding.  I am able to overcome adversity.  My mom overcame adversity when I was younger.  She showed me how to lead by example. 

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

CJ Marable:  Passionate, leader, accountable, focused, and a hard worker.