Ex-Florida recruit who lost scholarship for rapping N-word lands with Division II school
Marcus Stokes, a Florida quarterback who has been shrouded in controversy, has finally found a place to play college football.
Stokes signed with the University of West Florida on Wednesday, ending a tumultuous recruiting process for the four-star QB.
Marcus Stokes was a rookie quarterback who had his scholarship taken away when a video of him using the N-word surfaced on social media. He then received another scholarship offer from a historically black college and university (HBCU). Stokes tweeted that he received an offer from Albany State University – an HBCU in Albany, Georgia. (Twitter / @marcusstokes06)
Stokes had his scholarship to the University of Florida withdrawn in November after a video of him using the N-word surfaced on social media.
In a statement, Stokes said he used the word while “rapping over the lyrics” to a song.
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“I fully accept the consequences of my actions and respect the University of Florida’s decision to withdraw my scholarship offer to play football,” Stokes said in a statement after news broke that Florida had withdrawn its scholarship. .
“It was never my intention to hurt anyone and I recognize that even when accompanying a song, my words still carry a lot of weight. I will strive to be better and become the best version of myself. on and off the field.”
A University of West Florida player’s helmet sits on the sidelines before the NCAA Division II Championship game between the West Florida Argonauts and the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions, played Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. (Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
On Wednesday, Stokes found his home, signing with the Argonauts in Pensacola, Florida.
“We brought him in and we really didn’t talk much about football. That was pretty much all that had happened with him in the past and I was just making sure his (public) apology was sincere. “said head coach Kaleb Nobles, according to the Pensacola News Journal.
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Nobles said he spoke with returning members of the squad, receiving approval to sign Stokes.
“He’s been through a lot recruiting,” Nobles said. “We think he’s a really good addition as a person. We think the talent is there, but we think the talent is there with each of these kids.”
Marcus Stokes was a rookie quarterback who had his scholarship taken away when a video of him using the N-word surfaced on social media. He then received another scholarship offer from a historically black college and university (HBCU). Stokes tweeted that he received an offer from Albany State University – an HBCU in Albany, Georgia. (Twitter / @marcusstokes06)
Last week, Stokes received an offer from the Albany State Golden Rams, a historically black public university in Albany, Georgia.
On Friday, Albany State head football coach Quinn Gray apologized for his decision to “speak with a student who did not meet your expectations.”
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Although Gray didn’t mention Stokes in the statement, the head coach was reportedly reprimanded by the school president for the offer, according to HBCU Gameday.
Fox News Digital contacted Gray to confirm whether Stokes still had an offer from the university.
Marcus Stokes was a rookie quarterback who had his scholarship taken away when a video of him using the N-word surfaced on social media. He then received another scholarship offer from a historically black college and university (HBCU). Stokes tweeted that he received an offer from Albany State University – an HBCU in Albany, Georgia. (Twitter / @marcusstokes06)
Stokes threw for 1,867 passing yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior at Nease High School in Florida.
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“For us, our coaching staff and our student-athletes are fully supportive of bringing Marcus into the team,” said UWF athletic director Dave Scott. “His heartfelt public apology earned him this consideration for us. At UWF, we want to have an inclusive and respectful environment for all of our students.
“And part of our slogan is to build champions for life, so we want to develop our student-athletes to be better citizens and good members of society. (Meeting him), we just assured that he would meet the standards we have at the University of West Florida to be good members of society and continue to grow as a person.”
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report
Joe Morgan is a sports reporter for Fox News.