University of Delaware Athletics
Marcus Yarns Relishing the Pre-Draft Experience
3/13/2025 4:36:00 PM | Football
NEWARK, Del. – University of Delaware football running back Marcus Yarns has been very busy since his collegiate career came to a close when the Blue Hens’ 2024 season ended back in November. As he prepares for the 2025 NFL Draft and the next chapter of his football career, Yarns has relocated down to Florida to train and has participated in a couple of prestigious showcases.
Yarns traveled to Mobile, Alabama at the end of January for the Reese’s Senior Bowl where he spent a week practicing and playing alongside some of the elite draft prospects from around the country in front of coaches and representatives from all 32 NFL Teams.
He then made his way to Indianapolis for the NFL Combine at the end of February where he displayed his skill and talents through a variety of drills and physical assessments. Yarns became the ninth Blue Hen to earn an invitation to the Combine, and first since 2019. Competing in a very talented and deep running back class, Yarns finished in the top half of the group with a time of 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash and was impressive in the positional skill drills.
Taking notice ?? @MarcusYarns
— Delaware Football (@Delaware_FB) January 29, 2025
??: @seniorbowl pic.twitter.com/Yu9EGCKnGJ
Yarns will have one more opportunity to showcase his skills and meet with representatives from NFL organizations when he takes part in Delaware’s Pro Day on Friday. Ahead of his Pro Day, BlueHens.com caught up with him to chat about his last couple of months.
We all saw you have a great week at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. What did you do in that month after that leading up to the NFL Combine?
After the Senior Bowl, I returned back to Fort Myers in Florida, and I just continued to work out with my trainers. I especially concentrated on my footwork and doing positional work.
Was there anything specific you were focusing on heading into the Combine?
I was focused on the position drills. So that was doing the Deuce Stanley with one foot over the bags and all those types of drills. For the pass routes, I just worked on my hands and then was working on my techniques for my 40 and things like that.
There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes at the Combine that people don’t see. What were your first few days like in Indianapolis?
The first few days were long just because of the simple fact that there was a lot of rushing to wait. So we would rush to a place and then we had to wait 30 minutes or, for me, I was always waiting a little longer because my last name started with a Y, so I was the last one every time. Wherever we went, I went last, and then there were multiple groups doing things at once. For example, with our medical exams, we would get downstairs, check in at 7:30, then we head over to the hospital, wherever the case may be. But because of my last name and because there's so many guys there, I was there for four hours compared to other guys who might be there for only an hour. So, it was a lot of rushing to wait, and then the wait would be super long.
When you walked out onto the field at Lucas Oil with RB31 on your chest, officially part of it, what was going through your mind?
Walking into the Combine, everything felt pretty standard, things like the vertical tests and other drills. But the most intense moment by far was stepping up to the line for the 40. That entire buildup - from the walk across to the field to the start - was just incredibly intense. It felt like the biggest moment of the Combine. During the position drills, it was more like just playing football, performing as if it were a game. But the 40? That was a whole different level of pressure.
What was it like competing against such a talented group of backs and being alongside those guys throughout the process?
Honestly, just being there and competing while getting to meet the other guys was an incredible experience. Everyone was showcasing their talent, and I felt like the Senior Bowl really helped me - not just in terms of preparation, but also in building my confidence. I went there, performed at a high level, and earned the respect of my peers. So, by the time I got to the Combine, it felt more like another practice, almost like a spring workout. I had already built relationships with some of the guys, and at that point, it was just about locking in and going to work.
Was there anything you will take from the experience as you move forward in the draft process and beyond?
Yeah, I’d say the biggest takeaway is realizing just how many people believe in me, not just my family and the UD community, but a whole network of supporters who truly think I have a shot at the next level. Even the guys I met at the Senior Bowl believe I belong at this level, and that means a lot. That support has given me all the confidence in the world, and now it’s just about going out there and proving it.
Is there anything specific you’re looking to improve on at Pro Day, or is it more about continuing to showcase what you can do?
It is not even just about showcasing me. I want my brothers to be out there and go out there and ball as well. I’m looking forward to just going out there and being on the field with a few of my teammates and my brothers and just going out there and having fun at the end of the day.
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Season tickets for Delaware’s inaugural 2025 campaign at the FBS level are now on sale. Fans who purchase season tickets can save up to 27-percent compared to single-game tickets. The Blue Hens will host six games at Delaware Stadium, and season ticket holders will have first access to upgrade their seats or parking, as well as purchase additional tickets for home and away games - including UD’s matchups at Colorado (Sep. 6) and Wake Forest (Nov. 22). Partial plans and select individual game tickets will be available later this spring.
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