King’s Fork High School defensive/offensive lineman Cullen Marshall had a big impact on the gridiron for the Bulldogs in his senior season, setting himself up to make his presence known at the college level.

Marshall recently made his verbal commitment to play NCAA Division II football for the Trojans of Virginia State University.

“It’s a big deal for me,” he said. “It was just good, for my family and for myself, to finally have a (college) home.”

It was something that had been on Marshall’s mind for a long time.

“I actually have a friend that goes to Heritage (High School) in Newport News, and we dreamed of playing college football since we were about 5, 6, 7 years old,” Marshall said, referring to Hurricanes center Silas Walls, who also might become a Trojan.

King’s Fork coach Joe Jones said he is excited for Marshall and his future at Virginia State.

“I think he has a chance to be successful there, and I’m very proud of him for how hard he has worked over the years to get to this point and get this opportunity,” Jones said.

Marshall was a key force for the Bulldogs on the defensive line in 2015, finishing the season with 57 tackles including 13 for a loss and three sacks. He also forced three fumbles, recovered two and had one pass breakup.

Jones had been confident Marshall could play for the Trojans if he wanted to.

“I know the coaches there were very, very high on him,” Jones said. “He was one of the top prospects on their board.”

“I had a few other looks, schools that had actually been real big for me, such as (Old Dominion University),” Marshall said. “ODU was actually one of my top schools, along with Virginia State. Those were my two tops, but Virginia State seemed like home.”

Jones said ODU wanted to talk to Marshall more about being a preferred walk-on.

Norfolk State University also showed interest, but Marshall said, “They didn’t have my major, so I decided that wasn’t the place for me.”

One reason Marshall said he ultimately choose Virginia State is “the coaches there became some of my best friends,” as he would talk to them often.

Noting the Trojans’ Byron Thweatt has a strong reputation as a leader, Jones said, “I had a couple Division I coaches come in, and I talked to them, and they knew Byron and talked about how good of a coach he was.”

Another major factor that made Virginia State attractive to Marshall was it had his desired major of sports management. He also plans to minor in coaching, with the goal of eventually being a football coach.

“I’d say that’s been a goal for probably a year or two,” he said, adding that while being a team captain at King’s Fork, he was allowed to lead his teammates, helping them get reps, teaching them what he knows. “And I just thought that would be awesome to do for the rest of my life.”

The terms of his arrangement with Virginia State will essentially allow him to go to school for free, with his athletic scholarship covering what federal student aid does not.

Trojans coaches are looking to use Marshall as a defensive tackle or possibly a defensive end.

“They like his size and his length,” Jones said. “He’s got the size and length for a defensive end.”