Football: Named a 2025 Navy All-American, Jordan WR Andrew Marsh excited for last hurrah as playoffs loom
A four-star recruit and the No. 73 overall player in the country, Marsh is one of eight players from the Greater Houston area named to the prestigious national high school all-star showcase
Surrounded by family, chatting with Naval Commander David Schaller, Jordan senior receiver Andrew Marsh waited patiently prior to kickoff of the Warriors’ regular season finale Thursday.
The four-star recruit and country’s No. 73 overall player for the class of 2025, per 247Sports, had a big evening ahead of him.
Marsh was awarded his 2025 Navy All-American jersey in an on-field ceremony moments after the conclusion of the national anthem, and then showed why he is so worthy of the honor in a 50-19 Warriors rout of Paetow at Rhodes Stadium.
Marsh collected five catches for 59 yards and two touchdowns, all in the first half, to help Jordan register its finest regular season in its three-year varsity history at 9-1 overall, 7-1 in District 19-6A.
Now the 6-foot-1, 178-pound University of Michigan commit is determined to lead Jordan to its first ever playoff win. The Warriors, 19-6A’s No. 1 seed in the Division II bracket of the Class 6A playoffs, will kick off their playoff run at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday at Legacy Stadium against an opponent still to be determined.
Jordan fell 35-7 to Hightower in the first round last season in its postseason debut. Marsh had 70 yards and a touchdown on six catches.
“Something I learned is it really gets tough,” Marsh said of the playoffs. “Everybody’s there for a reason. Everybody’s there to fight. Everybody wants to win. We have to come prepared and ready to fight. But if we played like we played (Thursday), it shouldn’t be too much.”
Especially since Jordan has No. 3 on its roster.
Marsh is one of eight players from the Greater Houston area to be named to the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl, a prestigious national high school all-star showcase that will take place January 11, 2025, at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
One hundred players from around the country are invited to compete in the East versus West game. Only 18 Texans were selected.
The game will be broadcast live on NBC.
“It really means a lot,” said Marsh, who will play for the West team. “I’ve been watching the game for a long time so I’m really glad to be honored for it. Thankful to bring it back to the community, the school.”
He is the first player from Jordan to be recognized for the honor.
“We like to say that we built this school,” said Marsh, who was a sophomore when Jordan started varsity football in 2022, two years after the school opened. “New school, one of our opening classes. We like to lead with all of our accomplishments and be proud of them.”
Marsh is a scintillating talent, well worth the price of admission. He has an incredible catch radius, and the size and speed to make something special happen after a catch.
This season, Marsh has 41 catches for 841 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 20.5 yards per catch. He has been a prolific, dynamic playmaker despite Jordan enduring a quarterback competition that lasted almost half of the season and navigating a slew of defensive pressure coverages.
“Just trying to keep going, no matter what they throw at us or what happens,” Marsh said. “Keep growing. Just always get better.”
Jordan coach Mike Rabe said he is proud of his star receiver. Over the last four years, Rabe said, “we’ve seen it all.”
A terrific pass-catcher who’s not afraid to block. A tireless worker who puts himself in the best position to succeed with diligent offseason training.
“They get to watch his work ethic and how he performs,” Rabe said of Marsh’s influence on his program. “They learn how to play that kind of style.”
Marsh, a team captain, longs to be someone his team can turn to at points of discontent.
“For our team, I just think I bring that leadership aspect for a lot of the younger guys,” he said. “Somebody for them to count on when the moments get tough. If they need a play or something like that, just one of them guys.”
Off the field, Marsh is an amiable young man, endearing and comfortable around people of all ages.
“He’s got a great personality,” Rabe said. “Fun to talk to. Always has a smile on his face. Great kid.”
Marsh deftly handles all the media attention, scrutiny and pressure that comes with being one of the top players in the country. He keeps a tight circle of mostly family.
He is never happier than when he is around his mother, Eleanor.
Marsh acknowledges he has come a long way in his young life. He hasn’t allowed himself the time to reflect.
“I do at times, but really not as much as I should,” he said. “For the most part, I’m just always worried about the next thing. (It) was a good week, but of course we’ve got playoffs starting next Thursday. Really just looking forward to next week.”
Marsh stays off social media and focuses on his work. It shows.
He has made significant strides in his craft this season, refining his route-running and getting in and out of breaks. Using his fluidity to get out smooth on breaks. Working on his hands to be even stronger around the ball.
Now he has one last chance to show what he can do on the sport’s biggest stage. The playoffs.
“Ready to prove to everybody that I’m the best receiver in Texas,” Marsh said.
If Jordan plays like it did Thursday against Paetow, Marsh thinks the Warriors can prove they’re one of the best teams in Texas.
“The way we played (Thursday), I really think this was one of our better showcases,” he said of a game that Jordan led 36-0 at halftime against a playoff-bound 7-3 Panthers team. “If we go back a few weeks and play like we played, I really think we take that loss (17-7 against Katy) off the board.
“It was great for our team to see that. To see that we have it in us. Playoff-ready. If we play like that, in my opinion, nobody can really mess with us.”
