Ohio Bobcats Offensive Lineman Nick Marinaro Anchors Line with championship Pedigree
ATHENS, Ohio – Transfer offensive lineman Nick Marinaro is bringing a winning mentality and a wealth of experience to the Ohio Bobcats, quickly becoming a key component of the team’s offensive success. The Tempe, Arizona native, who previously excelled at Dartmouth, is focused on securing another championship as he enters his final season of collegiate football.
Marinaro plays a significant role in stabilizing Ohio’s offensive line, a unit characterized by players who, like him, were frequently enough overlooked in the recruiting process. Despite not receiving offers from major programs out of high school,marinaro initially committed to Dartmouth,drawn by the institution’s balance of academics and athletics.
“I can’t say enough about the guys who I’m playing next to right now,” Marinaro said. “They’re just tough dudes who love football, and that’s what you want on an offensive line, I love that. Everybody’s a little bit undersized or something like that. They had something to overcome, and it shows how much guys want it. You see that out there on the field.”
A unique advantage for the offensive line is having Head Coach Brian Smith, a former center himself – a relatively uncommon background for college football head coaches – in their corner.
“It’s really cool that he (Smith) has that perspective, and he knows how hard the job is,” Marinaro explained.While appreciative of Smith’s insight, he admits the coach’s positional experience adds a degree of pressure.
Marinaro’s dedication to the game is deeply rooted in family tradition. His uncle, Joe Marinaro, was an All-American offensive lineman at Michigan in the 1990s, and both his father, Mike, and brother, Joe, played football at Boston College.
“growing up, my dad would just tell us stories about, you know, the glory days and all that,” Marinaro recalled. “He was a pretty darn good player himself at Boston College in the 90s. We watched his old film and just wanted to be like him one day.”
Now, Marinaro is the sole football player remaining in his family, a role he embraces. “I’m really the last one in my family who’s still playing,” he said. He notes his family is committed to attending as many games as possible, offering excited support after each contest. “Everybody’s cheering me on,calling me after the game,and it’s a big deal for the family now that,you know,I’m kind of the last one going. It’s cool just to give them something to be excited about.”
Despite joining the Bobcats after their 2024 MAC Championship victory, Marinaro brings a proven track record of success, having been a three-time Ivy League Champion at Dartmouth. He is steadfast to contribute to another championship run at Ohio.
“I wanted to come to a good team. I’ve been lucky to be on some good teams in the past,” Marinaro stated. ”I want to win another championship. Personally, I just want to have no regrets when I’m done with my football career. I’ve only got this season left, and I want to go out there and show what I’ve got till the last minute.”
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