Marc Mariani life and biography

PRO:
The Titans used their first of two seventh-round selections in 2010 on Montana wide receiver Marc Mariani, a shifty route runner that excels in the slot and in the return game. The former walk-on at Montana has reliable hands and has the ability to reach the end zone from anywhere on the field in all phases of the game having scored on a 98-yard kickoff return, a 94-yard punt return, and an 84-yard reception during his collegiate career. Mariani also possesses big game experience having appeared in two FCS National Championship games in his four-year stint with the Grizzlies.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• In 2009, was a unanimous All-Big Sky pick at wide receiver as his 1,479 receiving yards set a single-season record at Montana.
• As a junior, set a school record with 2,265 all-purpose yards, which is the fifth most in Big Sky Conference history. His 1,308 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns were the second most in a season at Montana.

TITANS TIDBITS:
• Mariani has overcome a great deal of adversity to make it to the NFL. He was a non-preferred walk-on at Division I-AA Montana before working his way up the Grizzlies’ depth chart and finally earning a scholarship as a junior.
• Mariani thought he was the victim of a practical joke when the Titans called to inform him that he was drafted. The former Montana teammate of Titans Coach Jeff Fisher’s son, Brandon, had been on the phone back and forth with his buddy all day. Just before the Titans were scheduled to pick in the seventh round, he got another call from Brandon. He was in the draft room at Baptist Sports Park and Mariani was a Titan.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• The Havre, Mont., native was selected by the Titans with their first of two picks in the seventh round (222nd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.

COLLEGE:
• Mariani ended his career as the most prolific receiver and all-purpose player in Montana history. He set school marks in career receiving yards (3,018), receiving touchdowns (29), and career all-purpose yards (5,441). His 164 receptions and 200 career points rank him seventh in the Grizzlies’ record book. Mariani also had three of the longest scoring plays in school history in his career: a 98-yard kickoff return, a 94-yard punt return, and an 84-yard reception.

AS A SENIOR (2009), was a unanimous All-Big Sky pick at wide receiver and a second team selection as a return specialist. Led the second-ranked and 14-1 Grizzlies in receiving with 80 catches for 1,479 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 1,479 receiving yards set a single-season record at Montana. Led the conference with seven 100-yard receiving games and in multiple touchdown games receiving (four). Was named a first team All-American by the Associated Press, Walter Camp, and the Sports Network, and he was also selected to the College Sporting News “Fab 50.” Returned 32 punts for 507 yards (15.8 avg.) with a touchdown.
• Against Cal Poly (10/10), hauled in six catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Scored on touchdown passes of 84 yards and 68 yards.
• Against South Dakota State (11/28), his 389 all-purpose yards in a come-from-behind FCS playoff win over South Dakota State are the second highest total in Big Sky single-game history (the record is 437 yards). Hauled in 12 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Returned four kickoffs for 178 yards with a long return of 98 yards. Also brought back six punts for 40 yards.
• Against Villanova (12/18), caught nine passes for 178 yards with a touchdown in the National Championship Game.

AS A JUNIOR (2008), started all 16 games and caught 69 receptions for 1,308 yards with a career-best 15 touchdowns. Set a school record with 2,265 all-purpose yards, which is the fifth most in Big Sky Conference history. His 1,308 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns were the second most in a season at Montana. Led the Big Sky in punt returns, averaging 16.22 an attempt, which ranked him fourth in the nation. Was a first team All-Big Sky pick at both wide receiver and as a returner. He was named second team All-American by the Sports Network and an honorable mention pick on the College Sporting News’ “Fab 50.”
• Against Southern Utah (9/13), tied a school mark with four touchdown catches against Southern Utah, and his 208 receiving yards in that game are the sixth most (tie) ever in a game by a Montana player.
• Against Central Washington (9/27), hauled in six receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Scored on pass plays of 64 yards and 42 yards in the second quarter.
• Against Sacramento State (10/18), caught eight passes for 131 yards with two touchdowns. Hauled in a 24-yard touchdown and a 46-yard score in a 43-7 victory.

AS A SOPHOMORE (2007), saw action in 11 games with three starts and caught 15 passes for 231 yards with one touchdown. Led the Big Sky and was 11th in the FCS in punt returns (13.32-yard avg.). Was an honorable mention All-Big Sky selection as a returner.
• Against Northern Colorado (10/20), caught two passes for 38 yards and a touchdown. Hauled in his first career touchdown, a 27-yard score in the second quarter.

AS A FRESHMAN (2006), played in all 14 games, mostly on special teams, and had eight tackles in that role. He did not have a reception as a receiver.

PERSONAL:

• Splits time between Nashville and Havre, Mont.
• Attended Havre High School (Havre, Mont.) and earned 10 letters: three each in football and basketball and four in tennis.
• As a senior, had 48 receptions for 1,237 yards and 16 touchdowns while leading his team to a 12-0 record and the state “A” championship. Was named all-state at wide receiver and at safety as a senior. Also named Great Falls Tribune’s “Super State” team at wide receiver.
• As a junior, garnered all-state honors at safety while leading his team to a 10-2 mark. Was named to the Great Falls Tribune’s “Super State” team at safety as a junior as well.
• Participated in Montana’s annual East-West Shrine Game.
• Was a three-time team MVP in tennis. His varsity tennis teams won four straight state and conference titles. Was a team captain his junior and his senior seasons.
• Also was a two-time captain in basketball.
• As a senior at Montana, was the spokesman for the Griz for Kid Toy Drive.
• Majored in Business at Montana.
• List of favorites: (movie) “Ironman”; (TV show) “Family Guy”; (actor) Johnny Depp; (music artist) local Montana band called The Clintons; (school subject) World trade and commerce class; (video game) Madden; (food) Italian; (sports hero) Jerry Rice and Brett Favre; and (sports team as a child) Chicago Bulls, Seattle Mariners and Green Bay Packers.
• Born Marc Steven Mariani on May 2, 1987 in Havre, Mont.

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