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13th MMM Player Since ’90: #29 Marcus Ray
This post is part of a little August series on the 20 Most Memorable Michigan players of the past twenty years – basically going back to 1990. Don’t forget my friends, these are my memories…and beef if you must once we start getting down to the wire and you sense an oncoming omission. Previously: (20) Chris Floyd, (19) Marquise Walker, (18) Mercury Hayes, (17) Derrick Alexander, (16) Chris Howard, (15) Steve Breaston, (14) Tripp Welborne.
#29 Marcus Ray
1994-1998
Position: Strong Safety
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Career Stats: 229 total Tackles, 10 Interceptions
Well I learned something new today. Mr. Marcus Ray is from smack dab right in the middle of enemy territory. In fact, he went to the same high school, Eastmoor, as that of Archie Griffin.
Ray was a hard-hitting safety with outstanding football instincts. His best season was by far 1997,where he started all twelve games and was one of many key players on that top-ranked defense. Those were the days when Michigan fans had the luxury of taking players like Ray for granted. Just look at that defensive backfield. Chuck, Marcus, Tommy Hendricks and Andre Weathers.
Ray rolled up the road to Michigan from Columbus and redshirted in 1994. Touch the Banner has a nice little interview with Marcus from this past June where they talk off the field stuff, like his new book release, to his playing days with Charles Woodson. Ray had this to say on why he chose Michigan over Ohio State…
As far as growing up, I’ve never liked the Buckeyes. I told someone I was born in [Ohio State] University hospital – I think I slapped the doctor and told my mom, ‘Let’s get out of here.’ Like, this place is not for me. Everyone down here loves Ohio State so much that my little, small personality at the time was that I wanted to be different…and once Michigan started recruiting me, my dreams started becoming reality.
First Play That Comes to Mind
When David Boston says this before #1 ranked Michigan plays against #4 ranked Ohio State…
“I play against better defensive backs than him [Michigan’s Charles Woodson] in practice every day.”
Ok, that’s probably not something you want to say if you aren’t going to back it up on the field. I mean, you even had precedent to follow in Terry Glenn’s “Michigan is nothing” comment before the game in 1995. How well did that workout for Glenn? So, Boston talks, Michigan did their talking on the field.
First, Charles Woodson tells Boston to GTFO. Then towards the end of the game in the fourth quarter, Marcus Ray tells Boston to STFD. Roll the tape…
Check this stick Ray had against Notre Dame. This came right after Chris Floyd made an ND defensive back look like he was made out of paper.
On Deck?
Who is going to be #12? This wide receiver was one of Chad Henne’s favorite targets and his middle name is Cashmere.
Video credit goes to Wolverine Historian.
