Marcus Webb: Destined for Success

Nov. 10, 2009

By Brittany McCormick, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant

For senior linebacker Marcus Webb, Michigan State football encompasses three important values -- love, dedication, and hard work. As a walk-on transfer student, Webb lives his life by those exact standards.

The love Webb receives from his family is a main reason why he's playing football today. While receiving tremendous support from his parents, he also has three brothers that push him to succeed both on and off the field. There is a small history between him and his brothers playing college football.

His younger brother, Martell Webb, is a tight end at the University of Michigan, and one of his older brothers, Michael Webb, played at Central State University in Ohio. Like any group of siblings, there is competition between him and his brothers.

"It's kind of competitive, but we're a family - we stick together," said Webb. "We always competed and we always played the same team so we wanted the next one to be better. My older brother wanted me to be better than him and I want my little brother to be better than me."

Sometimes it might not be the best for his little brother to be better than him. Webb and his younger brother, Martell, have their own Spartans versus Wolverines competition in effect.

"My brother won the first game and we have a series," Marcus said. "But I won the last two, so I won the series as far as I've been playing here. I have to brag about that."

Regardless of who won what series or what the scores of their games are, Webb and his brothers will always be close. While he recognizes the rivalry that is natural with sports, he knows that love for his family comes first.

"There's always going to be a rivalry because they're the University of Michigan and we're Michigan State," said Webb. "There's still love though. I love my brother and he loves me, so off the field, there's nothing like that."

The love and support Webb receives from his family has aided in molding him into a dedicated athlete. He strives off of the motivation and support that they give him.

"My motivation is family and just love of the game and what I can take from it," he said.

Transferring from Harper College in Palatine, Ill., to Michigan State in 2006, Webb had to adjust from playing football at a junior college to playing at a Division I school.

Along with transferring, he also had to overcome obstacles as being a walk-on player.

Webb did not play in 2007, but he saw action on special teams in three games in the 2008 season, including the Capital One Bowl against Georgia. He was also named the Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Week while preparing for the Wisconsin game. This fall, he has made five appearances on special teams.

Although he has not played in every game during his Spartan career, Webb could never imagine not being as dedicated to the team as he is. He developed a strong work ethic and stayed with the team, which in turn has provided him with many great memories.

"My favorite memory is the time spent with teammates - they are connections that are going to last a lifetime," Webb said.

Another obstacle Webb had to overcome after transferring was balancing his school work with football. Football has provided him with an opportunity to learn that through hard work, he can get many things accomplished.

"Balance your life," said Webb. "Once you start playing football, you get used to it. There's a point where you just have to balance everything out. Football does take up a lot of your time, but I've been lucky to get good grades. I have a job too, so I have to balance a lot. My life is based on a schedule."

Webb has a lot to balance with all his responsibilities playing football along with his internship with the Michigan State Athletic Sales and Marketing Office. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Communication last May, Webb hopes to go to graduate school. He recently has been preparing for his GRE's and hopes to stay at Michigan State and attend graduate school for sports management. Sports have been a big influence in his life and he would like to have a career in the industry one day.

"I've been playing football since I was eight years old," he said. "I would like to be involved with something regarding sports."

Football has been a defining aspect of Webb's life. The love he receives, the dedication he exemplifies, and his ability to work hard has shaped him into an understanding and diligent player. After living up to those standards, Webb is destined for nothing but success.

GETTING TO KNOW Marcus Webb:

Favorite television shows: Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Heroes, and True Blood
Favorite sport other than football: Basketball
Favorite athlete: Kobe Bryant
Favorite hobbies: Golfing and bowling
Favorite artist: Lil Wayne
Favorite spot on campus: Clara Bell Smith Center

This feature was originally published in the Nov. 7 edition of Michigan State Football Gameday Magazine.