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Aliquippa QB Marques Council Jr. Makes Life-Changing Decision
This is the time of year where many high school football players are making their college decisions and making a verbal commitment to a school.
It’s a tremendous achievement for every athlete that’s fortunate enough to have the opportunity to continue to play in college, especially if they’re lucky enough to receive a scholarship.
Earlier this week, a local standout made his college decision and it just so happens he’ll be attending one of the most prestigious universities in the entire country.
Aliquippa standout quarterback Marques Council Jr. has announced that he’s made the decision to attend Yale University. Congrats to Council and his family!
Proud to announce my commitment to @yalefootball. I feel blessed for the opportunity and I’m thankful to everyone who played a role in helping to get me to this point. Excited to be part of the Bulldog Family. #yalebulldogs #committed #rolldawgs #teamwork #hardwork #family pic.twitter.com/0mHvse3gWN
— Marques Council Jr. (MJ) – Quarterback 26’ (@MJthebest1QB) June 17, 2025
The talented quarterback and 4.2 student selected Yale over other opportunities at Brown, Sacred Heart, Temple and Penn.
Pittsburgh Sports Now spoke with Council on Tuesday night and he still had a smile on his face about his life changing decision.
“This is honestly a blessing for me,” Council tells PSN. “I’m been smiling ear to ear ever since the day I committed and I keep telling myself that I can’t believe I’m committed to Yale University. I never in a million years though I would be saying that. The life after athletic opportunities that Yale will be able to provide me definitely played a role in my decision but what really secured my decision was my official visit there over the weekend.”
Courtesy Marques Council
“Coming from a place like Aliquippa, we’re real big on brotherhood here and take care of each other no matter the circumstance. When I went there, they made me feel like I was already part of their family and I was only on my official visit. Not only did the coaching staff treat me with so much love but the players I felt the brotherhood. The first day I got there, I have a former teammate that goes there Brandon Banks, I meet up with him and he has some of his teammates with him. From there, I can’t really explain it but they were treating me like I was one of their own already. It’s hard to explain but felt so good. They were saying anything you need just give us a call, they were giving me their numbers. I went to their dorms, their houses. It was great.”
As Council mentioned, he will have a friend at his new football home in Banks, who committed to Yale two years ago. That’s two Aliquippa football players that have committed to Yale in the last 3 seasons.
“Brandon told me that it’s great up there, it’s a beautiful place but he was honest and said that the first semester will be kind of tough,” said Council. “But that’s really at any place for a freshman, leaving home for the first time and you don’t really know anyone there. But when I got there, that first semester that he was talking about won’t as tough on me because 1) I will have him 2) I already clicked with everyone so quick, I feel that it will be a breeze for me.”
— Marques Council Jr. (MJ) – Quarterback 26’ (@MJthebest1QB) May 13, 2025
With this life changing decision out of the way, Council will no be able to enjoy his last year at Aliquippa High School and do everything he can to lead the Quips to another championship. After that, it’s onto to Yale University to begin the next chapter of his life.
“This means a lot and means more than anything because it shows that my hard work both on the field and in the classroom paid off,” said Council. “Even the stuff that is unseen and unrecognized is paying off. Coming from a small place like Aliquippa, most times, we don’t get to experience like I’m going to have the chance to experience. This is all a blessing to me and I can’t believed it’s going to happen. I’m just thankful.”
