Salukis welcome back explosive return-man Tae Marrero Jr. after NCAA ruling

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Thanks to a U.S. District court ruling two weeks ago, Saluki Football welcomed the return of wideout and return specialist Tae Marrero Jr. on Friday.

The ruling permitted Marrero, and any NCAA Division I athlete from the high school class of 2022, to compete for a fifth season this upcoming year. Previously, those players were excluded from the 5-for-5 ruling that granted returning players an extra year.

“It crushed me when the first ruling came out and it wasn't implemented for my class,” said Marrero, who wore No. 10 at practice. “I kind of lost track of it, and then it popped up across my screen on Twitter out of nowhere.”

Marrero practiced with the team on Friday and will wear jersey No. 10.

Shortly after the ruling, the Louisville native got a call from head coach Nick Hill telling him to hustle back to Carbondale. So he turned in his resignations at Tuxedo Wearhouse and JD Sports and packed his bags for Southern.

“I had a whiteboard in my apartment when I was here at SIU that said, ‘Pray for it. Pray for the extra year of eligibility,” Marrero recalled. “I never erased it, and fast forward to today, my prayer came true.”

The 5-foot-10, 187-pound wideout caught 15 passes last year, including a TD catch versus North Dakota.

“I’m really excited to have Tae back, because I know what type of person I'm getting and what type of player he is,” said wide receivers coach Zach Grant.

Marrero was also electric in the return game for the Salukis in 2025, leading the Missouri Valley Football Conference with a 17.0 yard punt return average. He had an 81-yard return for a touchdown in the win over Northern Iowa.

“I hold myself to a high standard with special teams and plan to do big things if those opportunities present themselves again,” he said.

Marrero began his career at Division II Charleston (WV), where he played two seasons (2022-23) and caught 63 passes with 11 touchdowns. He also returned two kickoffs for TDs.

Marrero caught a touchdown vs. North Dakota and returned a punt for TD vs. UNI.

After transferring to SIU in the spring of 2024, Marrero built an instant friendship with quarterback DJ Williams.

“That's my guy,” he said. “It’s probably one of the closest bonds I've had since I've been down here and part of the reason that I'm back today. He's one of the best in the nation. He is the best in the nation.”

It shouldn’t take long to get back into football shape, said Marrero, who trained for Pro Day at Southern in the spring. “I’ve been running, lifting weights, going to the gym to play basketball. I’m just an active person. I don't feel productive just sitting in the house, so I’m always on my feet doing something. I’ll be ready to go.”

The Salukis lost all three starters at wide receiver off last year’s team, and although the group has been impressive during training camp, Marrero feels he has something to offer the room.

“They have somebody in their corner who will help with anything,” he said. “The way I lead is not very vocal, it’s just by my actions, just showing the guys that they can depend on me.”