PALM BEACH GARDENS – Wake Forest got itself an excellent quarterback of the future.
The Demon Deacons gained Benjamin 2021 quarterback Santino Marucci, a three-star signal caller who is one of the most highly regarded juniors in Palm Beach County. He made the official announcement on his Twitter account today at 10:12 a.m.
Marucci chose Wake Forest over the likes of fellow contenders Nebraska, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Temple, Appalachian State, and Kent State.
“I’ve had countless talks with both my parents and coaches,” Marucci said. “Wake Forest provides both stellar academics and athletics. I wanted to find a place where I would be able to get a great education as well as playing Power 5 football.”
Marucci, who is currently on the 7-on-7 offseason circuit with the Palm Beach Fire organization, had an amazing junior season at Benjamin. In 12 games played, the mobile quarterback had 2,396 total yards (1,951 pass yards, 445 rushing yards) and accounted for 32 total scores (21 passing, 11 rushing).
Marucci’s best game of the season came in a Week 10 revenge match at home against King’s Academy, when he threw for four touchdowns and ran for two more in a thrilling 49-14 win that secured his team a Class 3A playoff berth. Three of Marucci’s scores were thrown to senior two-way standout Daniel McCullon, who was arguably his most reliable target this past season.
And another big game for Marucci came in Benjamin’s 33-16 road playoff win over Cardinal Newman, when he accounted for all five of his team’s touchdowns (three passing, two rushing), including two thrown to McCullon.
“Wake got the real deal,” McCullon said of Marucci on his Instagram stories feed earlier today.
Marucci said there was no rush in making the decision to go with Wake.
“The timing of when I committed wasn’t much of a factor,” said Marucci, who is our No. 1-ranked quarterback in the Class of 2021. “I just came to my final decision this week and believed that Wake Forest was the best place to further my academic and athletic career.”
We’ll be closely following Marucci’s offseason progress with the Palm Beach Fire, with Benjamin all year long, and beyond. Best wishes to him in everything he sets out to do.
PHOTO CREDITS: Wake Forest Football and Keith Forde
