After the emotions calmed down, after the tears had been wiped away, it was time to focus.

It was last April when West York running back Ay'Jaun Marshall earned his first Division I offer from Army. The video of Marshall excitedly receiving the news from Black Knights assistant coach John Loose quickly made waves on the internet — the classic feel-good story about a young athlete's hard work paying off.

But the work was just beginning.

Marshall had visited the United State Military Academy with his coach a few weeks before, but he barely knew anything about West Point or its football team. The extent of his knowledge was that "Army vs. Navy was a big deal."

Nobody in his family had ever served in the military.

So while the running back was thrilled to have the opportunity to play Division I football — at an FBS program, no less — there were many things he needed to consider.

Was he willing to go through the rigorous day-to-day routine of a cadet?

Was he willing to commit at least five years of his post-college life to military service?

How would his family feel about him attending a military academy?

The last point was especially important.

"My family has always respected people who serve, but it's not something they were used to," Marshall said. "They were definitely apprehensive at first."

Now nine months later, a lot of that apprehension has subsided. This past weekend, Marshall verbally committed to play football at Army, choosing the Black Knights over Division I offers from Sacred Heart, Morgan State and Navy. He plans to spend a year at West Point's on-campus prep school before beginning his football and academic career at the academy.

It's all been quite a whirlwind for the 17-year-old high school senior, who less than a year ago had never considered life in the military.

Now, he's preparing for a football experience he's always dreamed of and a college experience he never expected.

"It's such a beautiful school and when you're there the history of the place really hits you," Marshall said. "It feels like a true family there."

The recruitment process

It's somewhat of an accident that Army discovered Marshall in the first place.

Following the 2017 football season, West York head coach Jeremy Jones went through the usual process of sending film of his best players to college coaches. In particular, he wanted Division I FCS Lafayette to check out Marshall.

That plan didn't go as intended.

Jones wasn't aware his contact at Lafayette, former Leopards defensive coordinator John Loose, was working at Army as defensive backs coach. Regardless, Loose received the film of Marshall and liked what he saw.

"I didn't know what coaches would respond, so I was kinda shocked when I heard from (Loose), not knowing he was at Army," Jones said. "We drove Ay'Jaun up to West Point (March of 2018), thinking we're one of thousands of kids doing this. A week later coach Loose called me saying they were going to offer him. It was very fun for me."

Once Marshall came down from the emotional high of receiving his first Division I offer, he got to work researching life at West Point.

Loose put him in contact with a couple of former Army football players, including one who had his career end early due to injury. It was that conversation that opened Marshall's eyes to the opportunities he could get from West Point.

"What stuck out to me was this guy chose not to return to the team, but he stayed at the school and graduated," Marshall said. "Even if football doesn't work out, there's still the security of knowing you're at this great, prestigious school."

Make no mistake, Marshall certainly plans for football to work out.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior is an incredibly dedicated player, a four-year varsity starter who helped lead the Bulldogs back to the District 3 playoffs this season after a three-year down period. Despite missing two games this season due to injury, Marshall accumulated 1,951 all-purpose yards and scored 19 touchdowns. He'll be the first Bulldog to play Division I football since center Brody Kern went to Delaware in 2013.

According to Jones, Marshall didn't need to increase his work ethic once Army (and other programs) started recruiting him. He was already one of the team's most diligent players in the weight room.

Those qualities extend to academics, where Marshall said he carries a 3.5 GPA. He's made sure to not let his studies slip during the admissions process, earning a 3.9 GPA last semester.

"He's a very dynamic individual and someone who draws people toward him," said Jones, who stepped down as West York's coach in December. "You can walk into the cafeteria and he could be sitting with any group of kids and be fine with them. He can be coached (sternly) and take it, and guys like that always have a chance."

Interestingly enough, Marshall would get his only other Division I FBS offer from Navy. Though he enjoyed visiting Annapolis, he felt more of a connection at West Point. He liked that a lot of Army recruits were in the same boat as him, kids from non-military families who were also learning about the school's culture.

It also helped that Army's prep school is located on campus, while Navy's is in Rhode Island.

One of Marshall's favorite moments from the recruiting process was attending this year's Army-Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, which Army won for the third straight year.

"Recruits got to be on the sidelines before the game, and the atmosphere was insane," he said. "One of the greatest things I've ever experienced."

Another thing that attracted Marshall to Army was the rise the program has experienced under head coach Jeff Monken. A bottom-feeder team for close to two decades, the Black Knights have posted three straight winning seasons, winning a bowl game each time.

This past year, Army finished 11-2 and set a program record in wins. The Knights nearly knocked off No. 5 Oklahoma in a 28-21 overtime game, and destroyed Houston, 70-14, in the Armed Forces Bowl.

"That's one of those things you don't see happening," Marshall said of the Oklahoma game. "That and seeing them put 70 on Houston really stuck out to me. You could see something different was going on here."

As previously noted, Marshall will spend next season playing for the academy's prep school, a common path for West Point athletes. He expects to eventually be a slot back in Army's triple-option flexbone offense. He could also return punts and kicks.

However, Marshall said the coaching staff floated the idea of him potentially switching to quarterback. Army's offense relies on mobile quarterbacks, and Marshall can throw the ball, tossing a touchdown on a halfback pass this season.

"I would definitely consider it," Marshall said of a playing under center. "I would probably love it."

The family dynamic

Nicole Marshall refers to her youngest child as her "miracle baby."

Ay'Jaun was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. He spent three days in the NICU before his mother was able to see him.

He was healthy from that point on, but his mother has always been extremely protective of him. When Ay'Jaun was a child, Nicole initially tried to steer him to basketball instead of football.

So, naturally, she was a little worried when she found out he might be attending a service academy.

"I was happy Army noticed his football talent, but I was concerned," Nicole said. "I thought he would be going off to battle."

She wasn't alone in her trepidation. The situation was foreign to Ay'Jaun and his support system, which consists of Nicole, his Aunt Wanda, 27-year-old sister Ayriel and 22-year-old brother Ay'Keil.

Nicole's concerns lessened the more she talked to Loose.

And not because he sugarcoated things.

"He did not pull wool over my eyes," she said of the team's recently promoted defensive coordinator. "He told Ay'Jaun that a military academy is not fun and games. It was structured. I liked that because football is Ay'Jaun's life. If he went there he'd be focused year-round."

Nicole learned that West Point graduates go on to become officers in the United States Army, starting as second lieutenants. They work in a variety of roles and many do not end up in combat.

As for life at the academy, Ay'Jaun and his mother understood that he'd have a very busy schedule filled with early-morning formations, classes, football practice and late-night study sessions. Ay'Jaun was drawn to the leadership aspect of the school, and Nicole liked that her son would be a part of a tight-knit group.

"My question was, 'Does the brotherhood continue after the recruitment?'" Nicole said. "A lot of coaches act like you're their boy and then you get there and get pushed aside. I know that when he's there, he'll have a family he can depend on. And it's not a prison, it's still a college. They do have freedom."

More:West York running back Ay'Jaun Marshall makes his college choice

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After attending a panel discussion with football players during her son's official visit last weekend, Nicole thought she was sold. Still, she wasn't prepared for Monken to ask Ay'Jaun for his commitment shortly before the family left for dinner.

The emotions started to come out as soon as he said yes.

"I told my sister I was going to prepare myself for the moment, but it happened so fast," Nicole said. "That's when you realize, 'My son is going to leave me.' But it was just tears of joy."

Added Ay'Jaun: "I'd never seen my mom cry that hard before. She's never had a kid go into the military and go far away to school. She told me how proud she was of me and it gave me a good feeling."

Ay'Jaun is still waiting to be officially accepted to the school, but he said he's been assured by Army football admissions officer Blake Powers that he will get in. He's interested in studying finance or military intelligence. West Point does not technically offer athletic scholarships, but tuition, expenses and room and board are covered following acceptance.

Though Nicole and Ay'Jaun have cried happy tears so far, they know the toughest part is yet to come. In about six months, Ay'Jaun will depart for a three-week boot camp course before starting at the prep school.

The goodbye won't be easy. But both mother and son are excited for the journey and the challenges to come.

"It was definitely a long process and there were things I had to comprehend before I made this decision," Ay'Jaun said. "It's a school and a coach that pushes you to be your best. I feel very comfortable there."

Added Nicole: "I've had to face facts that my son is going to be leaving me. I'm used to running to get him his jersey or whatever he needs. But no matter what, his family will always have his back."