Player Spotlight: Michigan DB AJ Marks is a UA Next All-American
Name:
Noah Maddox
Noah
Maddox
6'0" | 220 lbs | LB
Orlando The First Academy | 2026
FL
Position: Defensive Back
School: Farmington Hills East Middle School
Height: 5-foot-7
Weight: 135-pounds
Scouting Report: A standout on one of traditional powerhouse youth programs in the Midwest, Marks spends his weekends putting together highlight reel games for the 13U Southfield Falcons in Michigan. When thinking about an 8th grade All-American, Marks checks all the boxes you need when looking for the type of elite player that earns such honors. Putting on his film, Marks is one of the most intelligent youth corners I’ve seen in over a decade of covering athletes on this level. He understands situational football, when do go for the ball versus man, when to flip his hips and more. On top of his football knowledge, his physical attributes are no joke either. The track and field All-American was electronically clocked at a 4.7 forty at the CEC National Recruiting Camp.
If he seems to be advanced physically and mentally in football, it could be due to the pig skin lineage he’s blessed to come from. His father Alton Marks played football at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. His Uncle Glenn Sumter spent his Saturday’s suiting up for the University of Memphis before playing in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans, Finally, his Uncle Renaldo Hill played for the Spartans of Michigan State ahead of an NFL career with stops playing for the Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos. Renaldo currently serves as the Defensive Coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Accolades and honors: Personally, I’m a firm believer in getting out of your local area and competing nationally to see just how good you really are. Marks has personified that. He is one of the more well-traveled middle schools athletes I’ve come across and he has earned honors at nearly every event. To just name a few, the kid from Michigan has left his mark at the Ferris State University High School Camp, University of Michigan High School Camp, Big Ten Middle School Camp, The Beast ShowCase IV (Indiana), Under Armour Baltimore Camp (Invited), NextGen The Show at IMG, NCEC National Recruiting Camp, CE Stars Top 100 Middle School Camp, the Elite Underclassmen Showcase at IMG and many more.
Quote: “I want to be great. My goal is to maintain 3.5 or better GPA in the classroom.” He continued to say, “On the field I want to be a State Champion, be named All-State and an All-American in both Football and Track. Basically, I was to be the top DB/WR in the Class of 2026 and a top 20 football player in the Class of 2026.”
Noah
Maddox
6'0" | 220 lbs | LB
Orlando The First Academy | 2026
FL
Position: Defensive Back
School: Farmington Hills East Middle School
Height: 5-foot-7
Weight: 135-pounds
Scouting Report: A standout on one of traditional powerhouse youth programs in the Midwest, Marks spends his weekends putting together highlight reel games for the 13U Southfield Falcons in Michigan. When thinking about an 8th grade All-American, Marks checks all the boxes you need when looking for the type of elite player that earns such honors. Putting on his film, Marks is one of the most intelligent youth corners I’ve seen in over a decade of covering athletes on this level. He understands situational football, when do go for the ball versus man, when to flip his hips and more. On top of his football knowledge, his physical attributes are no joke either. The track and field All-American was electronically clocked at a 4.7 forty at the CEC National Recruiting Camp.
If he seems to be advanced physically and mentally in football, it could be due to the pig skin lineage he’s blessed to come from. His father Alton Marks played football at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. His Uncle Glenn Sumter spent his Saturday’s suiting up for the University of Memphis before playing in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans, Finally, his Uncle Renaldo Hill played for the Spartans of Michigan State ahead of an NFL career with stops playing for the Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos. Renaldo currently serves as the Defensive Coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Accolades and honors: Personally, I’m a firm believer in getting out of your local area and competing nationally to see just how good you really are. Marks has personified that. He is one of the more well-traveled middle schools athletes I’ve come across and he has earned honors at nearly every event. To just name a few, the kid from Michigan has left his mark at the Ferris State University High School Camp, University of Michigan High School Camp, Big Ten Middle School Camp, The Beast ShowCase IV (Indiana), Under Armour Baltimore Camp (Invited), NextGen The Show at IMG, NCEC National Recruiting Camp, CE Stars Top 100 Middle School Camp, the Elite Underclassmen Showcase at IMG and many more.
Quote: “I want to be great. My goal is to maintain 3.5 or better GPA in the classroom.” He continued to say, “On the field I want to be a State Champion, be named All-State and an All-American in both Football and Track. Basically, I was to be the top DB/WR in the Class of 2026 and a top 20 football player in the Class of 2026.” 
