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 NCAA Scouting – Player Profile:
Sen’Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn
by Jody Jamieson
5/3/2009
Sen’Derrick Marks isn’t the flashy prospect by any means. He doesn’t get huge numbers from the interior line position, nor does he swarm around the quarterback all day or kill running backs 4 yards deep in the backfield. What you get with Marks is an impressive consistency to stuff the line, eat up blockers, and contribute with one or two big plays. I love his ability to play D-Tackle in the pros to a high level eventually. However, I’m actually a little disappointed he declared as he should have stayed in school and played his senior year. He played originally as a defensive end, and moved inside towards the end of the 2007 season. He was improving with every game inside, but really could have polished his skills and become a first round pick next year. I wonder if the likelihood of Gerald McCoy from Oklahoma and Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska being high picks next year convinced him to come out early. The DT class of 2010 is projected right now to be highly impressive so maybe that made his decision for him.
 Marks is your stereotypical Cover 2 interior tackle. While I believe he has a bit of scheme diversity, he’ll likely be taken by someone like Indianapolis or Tampa Bay in the second round. He can play 5-technique as a 3-4 defensive end if he gets a little stronger, but with his frame being pretty maxed out, it’s unlikely. After Jevon Haye’s departure from an already thin depth chart in Tampa Bay, I reckon he’s almost a lock to be taken in the second round by the Bucs if they don’t go with Peria Jerry in round 1. It’s tough to project round 2 locks to a certain team, but it fits so perfectly. Marks may not be ready to start in week 1, but he’ll be a good rotational player while he learns to play in the pros, and I think Tampa Bay would be happy to have him.
What we like about Marks
Marks is an athletic lineman with a bit of speed and the potential to be tough to handle. Offensive linemen with heavy feet will struggle against him. Stays really low and drives hard. Excellent lower body strength. Fairly impressive when asked to drop into zone coverage. Good pass rusher who can be an impact player on third down early on. Excellent character who plays hard and has the attitude you look for in a young pro. Marks has a high ceiling.
Question marks about Marks
Time for the immature ha ha. While his lower body strength is impressive, it’s his upper body strength that needs to improve, or he may get man handled by offensive linemen. Has a few durability concerns. A little inexperienced inside and while he has the potential, he hasn’t shown enough inside to be a first round pick. Only started 15 games at DT.
Highlight of his college career
In 2007 the Auburn Tigers lost a close game to South Florida, but Marks did everything in his power to help his team and was on a mission. He recorded 10 tackles (2 for a loss) and blocked a field goal.
Other snippets
Celebrated his 22nd birthday at the NFL Combine. He measured in at 6′ 1″ tall and weighed 306 lbs.
He also ran a 5.03 40 yard dash at the Combine.
Majored in sociology.
If he’d stayed for his senior year he wouldn’t have had to travel far for the Senior Bowl. Marks hails from Mobile, Alabama, the home of the Senior Bowl.
If it’s not Tampa Bay or Indianapolis who take him in the second round, teams like St Louis and Detroit at the top of the third round will definitely be interested.
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