Venric Mark

Venric Emeka-Wococha Mark is an American football running back, return specialist and wide receiver who is currently a free agent. Mark attended 2014 West Texas A&M Buffaloes after previously playing for Northwestern. He has completed his redshirt junior season for the 2013 Northwestern Wildcats team. He was a 2012 College Football All-America Team first team punt returner selection and a 2012 All-Big Ten team second team running back for the 2012 Wildcats. He holds Northwestern records for single-game, single-season and career kickoff return yards as well as the single-game punt return yards record.

Venric Mark
Free agent
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born:Houston, Texas
Height:5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight:175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High school:Houston (TX) St. Pius X
College:Northwestern
West Texas A&M
Undrafted:2015
Career history
  • Ottawa RedBlacks (2016)*
  • Cedar Rapids Titans (2016)
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Records
Player stats at CFL.ca

In high school, he was a five-time Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools state champion in track and field and an All-State football player. He was recruited by many Division I college football programs.

Early years

Mark spent his freshman year at Klein Forest High School in Greater Houston.[2] When the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina brought many troubled students to his public high school, he transferred to St. Pius X High School, which is a private one 45 minutes away.[3] As a sophomore at St. Pius, Mark competed in the most events and scored the most points for his high school when it placed fifth in the 2008 Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) Class 6A Track and Field Championship. That year, he placed second in the long jump (21 feet 0.25 inches (6.41 m)); third in the triple jump (42 feet 11.5 inches (13.09 m)) and participated on medal winning 4 × 100 metres relay and 4 × 200 metres relay teams.[4]

As a junior, he was described as a "gifted player" who was expected to be a "future star" for the two-time defending state champion football team.[5] Going into the 2008 state playoffs, Mark had 10 touchdowns as a return specialist and 20 receptions for 504 yards for the 7–2 St. Pius Panthers.[6] By the end of his junior year, he had been timed at 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash and had at least six Division I scholarship offers. Interested programs included Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Rice and Arizona.[7] During the summer prior to his senior year, he increased the bodyweight of his 5-foot-8-inch (1.73 m) frame from 160 pounds (72.6 kg) to 175 pounds (79.4 kg).[2]

As a senior, he mostly played running back.[8] In the 2009 TAPPS Division I football semifinals, Mark had 102 yards on 16 carries, including two rushing touchdowns and a 33-yard receiving touchdown. However, he was stopped on fourth and goal to go from the 2-yard-line with 11 seconds left as the team lost Nolan Catholic High School 36–28.[9][10] Mark's senior season statistics were 23 receptions for 242 yards, 92 rushes for 772 yards and 20 total touchdowns (four on punt and kickoff returns).[2] He also had seven touchdowns called back due to penalties.[11] He was honored as a first team All-state selection.[12] As a senior, he had 18 offers from schools including his five finalists: Northwestern, Arizona, Iowa State, Vanderbilt and Colorado as well as Houston, Baylor, UTEP, Virginia and Penn State.[2] He was one of three major Division I National Letter of Intent signees from St. Pius along with Kirk Poston (defensive end, Colorado) and Greg Daniels (defensive end, Texas).[12]

After committing to Northwestern, Mark went on to win five gold medals in the 2010 TAPPS Class 5A State Track and Field Championships. He won the 100 meters (10.96 seconds), 200 meters (22.26), long jump (23 feet 1 inch (7.04 m)-state record) and triple jump (44 feet 0.25 inches (13.42 m)). He was the anchor of the winning 4 × 100 metres relay (43.36).[12][13] Mark was the state championship meet's elite athlete, scoring 45 of St. Pius' 86 points. The school finished as runner-up to St. Michael's Catholic Academy (88 points) in the state championships even though St. Pius' 4 × 200 metres relay team, which was a favorite, had been disqualified in earlier competition.[12][13]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Venric Mark
RB/KR/PR/WR		 Tomball, Texas Klein Forest High School (TX, Fr.)
St. Pius X High School (TX, So.–Sr.)		 5 ft 9.5 in (1.77 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 4.4 Jan 20, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 73
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 217 (WR)   ESPN: 199 (ATH)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2010 Northwestern Football Commits (rivals)". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  • "2010 Northwestern Football Commits (scout)". Scout.com. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  • "2010 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 10, 2012.

    College career

    Mark was one of two true freshmen to play in every game for the 2010 Wildcats.[11] On October 23, he had a 29-yard end-around run against Michigan State.[14][15] On November 27, Mark recorded 273 return yards on nine kickoffs against Wisconsin.[16] This established a Wildcat single-game kickoff return yard record (10 shy of a Big Ten Conference record) and tied the Big Ten record for single-game kickoff returns. It also earned Mark recognition as the Big Ten Special Teams and Freshman co-Player of the Week on November 29.[17] Rivals.com recognized Mark with selection to its Freshman All-American second team as a punt returner.[18]

    As a sophomore for the 2011 team, Mark switched from wide receiver to running back during the season.[11] However, during the game against Michigan, he also played linebacker in order to shadow Denard Robinson.[19][20] The season ended at the 2011 Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas against Texas A&M. In the game, Mark recorded 7 kickoff returns for 141 yards.[21] This gave him Northwestern record-setting single-season totals of 40 returns and 915 return yards, surpassing records both set by Jim Pooler in 1974 (38 for 807).[22] Mark also scored his first rushing touchdown in the game.[23]

    As a junior in 2012, Mark was a preseason watchlist candidate for the Paul Hornung Award.[24] That year, he tallied 8 100-yard rushing games,[25] the first 1000-yard rushing season for Northwestern since Tyrell Sutton in 2006,[11] and the first unblocked punt return touchdown for Northwestern since Marquice Cole on September 10, 2005 against Northern Illinois.[26][27] Northwestern had blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown in the season opener on August 31, 2006 against Miami.[28][29] In addition to scoring a punt return touchdown on September 1 against Syracuse, he broke both the Northwestern single-game punt return yards record (Lee Gissendaner, 121 vs. 1992 Stanford) with 134 yards and the 29-year-old career kickoff yards records (Ricky Edwards, 1,499, 1983) during a career-high-tying 281 all-purpose yards effort that earned him Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.[29][30] His 82 rushing yards that day was a career-high.[30] The subsequent week, he had his first 100-yard effort when he totaled 123 yards against Vanderbilt on September 8.[31] Then he scored three rushing touchdowns on September 22 in a 117-yard effort against South Dakota.[32] He set a new career-high on September 29 when he totaled 139 yards against Indiana.[33] He scored a second punt return touchdown on October 6 against Penn State,[34] making him the first Wildcat to score two punt return touchdowns in the same season (and second ever) since Tom Worthington in 1949.[11] He then set his career high with 182 yards against Minnesota on October 13.[35]

    For his efforts, Mark was named a 2012 All-American first team selection by the Football Writers Association of America, CBS Sports and Sporting News as a punt returner.[36][37][38] He was also an honorable mention All-American all-purpose selection by Sports Illustrated.[39] Following the 2012 Big Ten Conference football season, Mark was a second team All-Big Ten selection as a running back by both the coaches and the media.[40] He was one of ten semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, awarded to the best running back.[41]

    Mark was among the 2012 national statistical leaders in both all-purpose yards and rushing yards.[42][43]

    Mark began the 2013 season affected by injury. He did not play special teams and mostly appeared in the August 31 opener against Cal in the fourth quarter.[44] Mark did not play again until October 5 against Ohio State.[45] He was sidelined again two weeks later.[46]

    Mark learned in early August 2014, that he would be suspended for two games from the 2014 Northwestern Wildcats football team for "violation of team policy".[47] He decided to pursue his fifth year redshirt season with the Division II 2014 West Texas A&M Buffaloes where he could be close to his mother and grandmother.[48]

    Professional career

    On December 8, 2015, Mark signed with the Ottawa RedBlacks of the Canadian Football League.[49] He was released on April 27, 2016.[50]

    On June 2, 2016, Mark signed with the Cedar Rapids Titans of the Indoor Football League.[51] He played in 2 games for the Titans during the 2016 regular season, rushing for 53 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also caught 3 passes for 15 yards and returned 2 kicks for 40 yards.[52] He also played in the team's two playoff games, rushing for nine yards and three touchdowns. He also caught 6 passes for 40 yards and returned 5 kicks for 36 yards.[53]

    Personal life

    The summer before his freshman year in college, he lost his brother, cousin and best friend to fatal shooting deaths.[54] Mark's father has not been involved in his life since his preteen years; he was raised by his mother, Sheila Mark.[54] Sheila attended Texas Tech University.[15] Mark's name came from having a Nigerian-born father.[55] His parents met while at boarding school in London.[15] His brothers are named Victor and Vincent and his sister is named Special.[15] In high school, he often stayed with his godmother, Jamie Garza, who lived nearer to the school.[3]

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    References
    1. "TAPPS - Records" (PDF). Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. May 5, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 4, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    2. McDaniel, Jason (January 31, 2010). "St. Pius' Mark finds patience, place at Northwestern". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    3. Greenstein, Teddy (October 18, 2012). "Family at center of NU tailback Mark's success: Speedy junior from Houston bringing special skills to Wildcats backfield". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
    4. Jenkins, Jeff (May 13, 2008). "Track and field: Panthers look back on solid year". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
    5. Jenkins, Jeff (May 21, 2008). "Football: St. Pius readies bid to defend title". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    6. Jenkins, Jeff and Todd Hveem (November 20, 2008). "Roundup: Panthers provide Arnold with first postseason win". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    7. Jenkins, Jeff (May 19, 2009). "Football: New era opening at Parsley Field". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    8. Kuc, Chris (September 25, 2012). "NU's Mark thriving at tailback". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
    9. Waits, Tim (November 28, 2009). "St. Pius' season ends with failed fourth-down try". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    10. Jenkins, Jeff (December 3, 2009). "Roundup: Reagan confident about prospects". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    11. "5 Venric Mark". NUSports.com. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    12. Jenkins, Jeff (June 25, 2010). "Athletics: Mark choosing from among grid, golds". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    13. Jenkins, Jeff (May 14, 2010). "Track and field: Panthers fine with silver". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    14. "(7) Michigan St 35 (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten); Northwestern 27 (5-2, 1-2 Big Ten)". ESPN. October 23, 2010. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    15. Greenstein, Teddy (December 30, 2010). "Mark big part of NU plan for Texas Tech: Freshman returner wants to make impression on mother's former school". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
    16. "Badgers blast Northwestern for share of Big Ten crown". ESPN. November 27, 2010. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    17. "Venric Mark Named Big Ten Special Teams, Freshman Player of the Week: True freshman shares honors after establishing NU single-game kickoff return yards record". NUSports.com. CBS Interactive. November 29, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    18. "Rivals.com Freshman All-America Team". Rivals.com. December 14, 2010. Archived from the original on September 22, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    19. Greenstein, Teddy (August 15, 2012). "Mark wants to show he can play bigger than he looks: Only 5-8 and 175 pounds, tailback doesn't shy away from running inside". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
    20. Greenstein, Teddy (October 13, 2012). "Mark supplies secret weapon: Returner worked as 'spy' against Michigan". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
    21. "Texas A&M 33 (7-6, 4-5 SEC); Northwestern 22 (6-7, 3-5 Big Ten)". ESPN. December 31, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
    22. Northwestern Football 2011 Yearbook. NUSports.com. 2011. p. 162.
    23. "Northwestern Comeback Falls Short at Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas, 33-22: Dan Persa becomes NCAA Division I all-time leader in completion percentage". NUSports.com. CBS Interactive. December 31, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
    24. "Venric Mark Selected to Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List: Honor goes to nation's most versatile player at year's end". NUSports.com. CBS Interactive. August 2, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
    25. "Venric Mark Game By Game Stats". ESPN. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    26. "N Illinois 37 (0-2, 0-2 away); Northwestern 38 (2-0, 2-0 home)". ESPN. September 10, 2005. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    27. "Postgame Notes - Syracuse". NUSports.com. CBS Interactive. September 1, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    28. "Northwestern 21 (1-0, 1-0 away); Miami (OH) 3 (0-1, 0-1 home)". ESPN. August 31, 2006. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    29. "Northwestern erases Syracuse's second-half rally with late TD". ESPN. September 1, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    30. "Mark Garners Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week Honors: Junior scored receiving and punt-return touchdowns to pace NU". NUSports.com. CBS Interactive. September 3, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
    31. "Venric Mark's late TD helps Northwestern by Vanderbilt". ESPN. September 8, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
    32. "Venric Mark's 3 TDs ease Northwestern by S. Dakota". ESPN. September 22, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
    33. "Northwestern sets school record for total yards in beating Indiana". ESPN. September 29, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
    34. "Matt McGloin, Penn State deny No. 24 Northwestern rare 6-0 start". ESPN. October 6, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
    35. "Venric Mark carries Northwestern to win over Minnesota". ESPN. October 13, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
    36. "FWAA Names 2012 All-America Team". Football Writers Association of America. December 14, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
    37. "CBSSports.com 2012 College Football All-America Team". CBS Sports. December 3, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
    38. "College football All-Americans: Sporting News' take on the best". Sporting News. December 5, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
    39. "SI.com's 2012 All-America Team". Sports Illustrated. December 11, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
    40. "Big Ten Announces 2012 All-Big Ten Teams and Select Individual Award Winners". BigTen.org. CBS Interactive. November 26, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
    41. "Jeff Budzien, Venric Mark Tabbed Semifinalists for Positional Honors: National winners of Doak Walker, Lou Groza Awards announced Dec. 6". NUSports.com. CBS Interactive. November 9, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
    42. "Bowl Subdivision (FBS) National Player Report: All-Purpose Running". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
    43. "Bowl Subdivision (FBS) National Player Report: Rushing". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
    44. Gruen, Seth (September 2, 2013). "Northwestern's Kain Colter, Venric Mark day-to-day with injuries". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
    45. Rittenberg, Adam (October 2, 2013). "Venric Mark returning from leg injury". ESPN. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
    46. Taylor, John (October 19, 2013). "Venric Mark out, Kain Colter dressed as 'emergency QB'". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
    47. "Northwestern suspends senior running back Venric Mark two games". Sports Illustrated. August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
    48. Schad, Joe (August 23, 2014). "Venric Mark off to West Texas A&M". ESPN. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
    49. Rosenblat, Josh (December 17, 2015). "Former Northwestern star Venric Mark signed by Ottawa Redblacks". SB Nation. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
    50. Baines, Tim (April 27, 2016). "Receiver Jackson aims to make big impact with RedBlacks once again". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
    51. "Transactions". goifl.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
    52. "Cedar Rapids Titans". goifl.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
    53. "Cedar Rapids Titans". thestatguys.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
    54. Becht, Colin (October 5, 2012). "For Northwestern Running Back Mark, No Shortage of Motivation". The New York Times. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
    55. Greenstein, Teddy (August 24, 2010). "Northwestern's Mark attracting notice: Freshman likely to get nod returning kickoffs and will get shot at punts". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
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