Photo: (Anderson Independent Mail-USA TODAY Sports)
Marcellas Dial was drafted 180th overall in the sixth round of this weekend’s NFL Draft by the Patriots. He has had an interesting journey on his way to the NFL.
Dial played at Georgia Military College before transferring to South Carolina in 2021. Dial played in 38 games for the Gamecocks, starting in 29 of them.
The 6-0 190 pound cornerback finished his career with three total interceptions in college. He is a terrific athlete who is long, linear and plays the game with good instincts and recognition skills. He profiles as a field corner but he has played in the slot and in the boundary as well.
While his interception numbers may not reflect it, Dial has good ball skills. He attacks the ball when it is in the air and he makes plays. Dial was asked to describe his game after he was drafted by the Patriots yesterday.
“I’m a sticky corner in coverage. I’m able to run, compete and play with any receiver, any body type. I’m very good at attacking whenever the ball is in the air. I can make plays on the ball. I know there’s bits and parts to my game to get better at, but that’s where I’m going to come in, work and get better.”
Dial will have every opportunity to make the Patriots as both a sub package cornerback and as a special teamer. The Patriots are one corner short so there will plenty of opportunities both this spring and in training camp for him to make an impression and get on the field.
Nothing has ever come easy for Dial. While he was at South Carolina, he earned the Overcoming Adversity Award for overcoming adversity in life. Dial sees himself as an underdog who has overachieved.
“Yeah, it just, that’s just my life, how it’s been. I’ve been an underdog all my life. I’ve been having to fight this uphill battle all my life. So, me overcoming adversity, that’s something I’ve been doing my whole life. So, it’s nothing new, you know? Then, I think they presented it to me because of my journey getting there. My journey throughout my three years there, I was in the rotation and everything. I never once was thinking about getting in the portal, never once complaining or anything. I just kept my head down, kept working, didn’t rebel against the coaches or anything, so I just overcame a lot of adversity like I have my whole life, you know?”
It is that fighting spirit that will help Dial as he competes to make the Patriots roster in training camp.
Sixth round draft picks aren’t guaranteed anything but an opportunity. Dial isn’t worried about it though. He is just fortunate to have the opportunity to play in the NFL.
“Not a stress for me, it was just a dream come true. Something I’ve been waiting for my whole life, so for it to actually happen. My visit there, I had a great time. I was able to make a good first impression. So, for this to be the team I go to, it’s just a dream come true. It’s unbelievable, like a weight lifted off my shoulders.”
Based on what we have learned about Dial so far, I would not doubt him.