Curtis Marks knows who to thank for his football success.

Memphis Whitehaven High School coach Rodney Saulsberry calls Marks the offense’s workhouse at running back. Saulsberry said its Marks’ work ethic that drives him.

"He’s the straw that makes the drink," Saulsberry said. "The running game is a defense’s best friend and definitely a coach’s best friend.

"He has things you can’t teach. He has the combination of both size and speed."

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Marks said it’s easy to find the source of his determination.

"My mother has a strong mind like that," he said. "She tells me to work hard. You only have one chance so I can’t blow it."

Marks said his mother and grandmother are his biggest influences. He said difficult times as a child helped him mature early.

"When I was a child we weren’t that stable as having a household," he said. "(My mother) was going through rough times working back and forth. My childhood was a pretty good one but I had to grow up by myself because my mom was always working."

Marks has received college interest from Tennessee, Georgia, Auburn, Mississippi and Memphis. He is waiting on his first scholarship offer.

Marks said he has always kept his eye on the in-state Volunteers.

"They’re a powerhouse," he said. "Tennessee has a lot of tradition. Tennessee would be a good fit because it’s the style I like to play, pretty much the style that Whitehaven plays."

Marks said he visited Knoxville in March with two teammates — cornerback Darius Davis and offensive lineman Brandon Johnson — for UT’s junior day. Marks said he noticed a faster game while checking out one of the Vols’ practices.

"Everything is on point," he said. "High school, we take breaks. College, you have to have a strong mind to play in it."

Marks said adjusting to a faster pace in college will not be an issue.

"That’s not even a question," he said. "I adapt to the talent that’s around me."

Saulsberry agreed. He said Marks has a running style that colleges are looking for.

"One of the things that one of the college coaches always tells me is they’re impressed with his pad level when he runs," Saulsberry said. "He runs low and hard. He’s a powerful back."

Marks said one advantage for Memphis is DeAngelo Williams. The Tigers running back is expected to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft.

"I really look at him," Marks said. "DeAngelo is a pretty big dude with his calf muscles and everything like that."

Marks said he has no clear cut leader and no timetable for choosing a school.

When it comes time to make a choice, Marks said his mother will be there to help him decide.

"She told me first of all ‘Make sure my grades are in check’," he said. "Without grades you can’t play. College-wise she told me to pick a good school with a good football team but also a good standard as far as work ethics."