2020 DE Marcus Romboli commits to Central Michigan
Marcus Romboli has wanted to play college football, specifically at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level, since he was a child.
It didn't look like he'd have the chance.
The Deerfield Academy defensive end had offers from Dartmouth College, Rhode Island, Bryant and Georgetown before committing to Dartmouth July 17.
Then, his FBS opportunity came calling Nov. 22 – the day offensive line coach Mike Cummings extended an offer from Central Michigan to the prospect from Massachusetts.
Romboli committed Monday night to play for the Chippewas after a weekend visit to Mount Pleasant that impressed him.
"The coaching staff blew me away," Romboli said. "They're a great group of guys to play for. The stadium and facilities also caught my attention, and the players were very relatable and showed me a good time."
First-year coach Jim McElwain and his staff showed Romboli that they genuinely wanted him to play for the program.
The feeling was mutual.
Once Romboli got the sense that Central Michigan's coaching staff was making an extra effort to make him feel at home, he knew it was in his best interest to join the team.
True freshman offensive lineman Danny Motowski was Romboli's host for his official visit.
"He's a great guy," Romboli said. "He took really good care of me and showed me the way."
The 6-foot-2, 260-pound lineman has a lot of goals in mind for his time as a Chippewa, but he wants to take his college journey one step at a time.
"I'd like to walk in as a true freshman, but the grind starts now," Romboli said. "We'll take it from there."
Rombali is the 19th commit in CMU's 2020 class:
Jackson (Mich.) Lumen Christi 3-star OG Keegan Smith
Manitowoc (Wisc.) Lincoln 3-star TE Davis Heinzen
Parma (Mich.) Western 3-star QB Tyler Pape
Green Bay (Wisc.) Bay Port 3-star OG Braden Doyle
Irvington (N.J.) 3-star WR Zahir Swann
Honolulu (Hawaii) St. Louis 3-star LB Lawaia Brown
Pittsburgh (Pa.) North Hills 3-star OT Ronald Novosedliak
Arvada (Colo.) Pomona 3-star LB Kyle Moretti
Akron (Ohio) East 3-star WR Travon Walker
Harrisburg (Pa.) ATH Donte Kent
Sarasota (Fla.) WR Ke'Andre Collins
Maple Ridge (B.C.) DE/LB Cade Cote
Deerfield (Mass.) Academy DE Marcus Romboli
Ocoee (Fla.) DL Jason Williams
Bloomfield Hills (Mich.) WR Alec Ward
Columbus (Ind.) North TE Mitchel Collier
Charlestown (Ind.) RB Marion Lukes
Elkhart (Ind.) Central DL Jonathan Decker
Sarasota (Fla.) Riverview LB Jayden Cray
