After ‘freaking out’ at first, Division I receiver prospect Colin McEniry becomes Marmion’s QB due to injury

This isn’t how Colin McEniry envisioned his final football season playing out at Marmion.

Hardly.

McEniry, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound senior receiver, was the CCL/ESCC Red’s offensive player of the year last fall and picked up recruiting interest from the Ivy, Patriot and Pioneer leagues. All of those coaches wanted to see his game film from the first three weeks of this season.

Four days before the opener, though, the Cadets went into scramble mode as sophomore Andrew Saltijeral, the projected starting quarterback, was sidelined due to a noncontact preseason injury.

“I’ll be honest — I was super freaking out,” McEniry said of being asked to change positions and take charge of the offense.

His only previous experience at quarterback?

“Maybe when I was 4 or 5 and playing flag football,” McEniry said. “Even in youth ball, I was a receiving tight end.”

After last year’s starter for Marmion transferred, McEniry took snaps in early summer workouts to give fellow receivers some work and so he could be penciled in as the backup QB.

Coaches weren’t sure Saltijeral was ready but later deemed he was before the injury setback. It’s tough to ask anyone to play out of position, especially with McEniry also starting at linebacker.

But he seemed to be the best choice.

“It’s one of those things where you’re putting your best athlete, best football player, smartest football player at the QB spot and counting on him,” Marmion coach Adam Guerra said. “He does know the whole offense. He knows where everyone is supposed to be.

“He knows what’s going on, so we’re just riding with that.”

McEniry’s mind, of course, was racing.

“Am I gonna be able to play in college?” he wondered. “Those coaches wanted to see that film before they could offer me or take my recruiting further.

“Talking to coach Guerra, though, he said, ‘It’s showing your absolute leadership and that you’re a team guy, the way you’re putting the team above yourself, stepping into that role.’”

There has been an understandable adjustment stage, though.

“My first full practice, I was taken off all special teams, all defense and there was no contact, but I haven’t gotten hurt in two years playing both ways,” McEniry said. “That first 7-on-7 offensive period, I think I only threw two completions out of 12 and immediately thought, ‘It’s not for me.’”

But it’s getting better for McEniry and the Cadets (1-1), who dropped a 23-21 decision to Racine Lutheran of Wisconsin and then won 34-14 over Lincoln Park, a playoff team last season.

“I was super nervous the first two drives that first game,” McEniry said. “Then we had a 15-play, 80-yard drive on the third ending with a touchdown and I was like, ‘I can do this.’”

He has shown similar leadership as a starter in basketball since his sophomore year, being a stronger defender and rebounder than a scorer.

“I’m more vocal and I’m the glue guy,” McEniry said of his court presence. “I’m not the best offensive player but good on defense. I’m aggressive.”

So far, he has completed 14 of 24 passes, going 7 of 15 for 58 yards and a touchdown in the opening loss. He went 7 of 9 for a TD and also ran for another TD against Lincoln Park (1-1).

“Colin is the ultimate team leader and team-first guy, so he’s embraced it,” Guerra said. “He had a really good game last Friday. We can build on that.”

Being self-critical has been a key for McEniry.

“I have too quick of a clock,” he said. “I’m rushing some throws. I’m looking at the film, and no one seems close because our line has been doing great. I can take more time in the pocket.

“Obviously, I need to limit the turnovers.”

Expanded playoff qualifiers this year will help, even though the Cadets moving to the CCL Purple makes for a more challenging schedule.

“We can definitely turn some heads, even without me as a receiver,” McEniry said.