Venric Emeka-Wococha Mark is an American former football running back, return specialist and wide receiver.
Mark spent his freshman year at Klein Forest High School in Greater Houston.
[4] As a junior, he was described as a "gifted player" who was expected to be a "future star" for the two-time defending state champion football team.
[5] Going into the 2008 state playoffs, Mark had 10 touchdowns as a return specialist and 20 receptions for 504 yards for the 7–2 St. Pius Panthers.
However, he was stopped on fourth and goal to go from the 2-yard-line with 11 seconds left as the team lost to Nolan Catholic High School 36–28.
[12] After committing to Northwestern, Mark went on to win five gold medals in the 2010 TAPPS Class 5A State Track and Field Championships.
[12][13] Mark was the state championship meet's elite athlete, scoring 45 of St. Pius' 86 points.
The school finished as runner-up to St. Michael's Catholic Academy (88 points) in the state championships even though St. Pius' 4 × 200 metres relay team, which was a favorite, had been disqualified in earlier competition.
It also earned Mark recognition as the Big Ten Special Teams and Freshman co-Player of the Week on November 29.
[17] Rivals.com recognized Mark with selection to its Freshman All-American second team as a punt returner.
[18] As a sophomore for the 2011 team, Mark switched from wide receiver to running back during the season.
[26][27] Northwestern had blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown in the season opener on August 31, 2006, against Miami.
[47] He decided to pursue his fifth year redshirt season with the Division II 2014 West Texas A&M Buffaloes where he could be close to his mother and grandmother.
[51] On June 2, 2016, Mark signed with the Cedar Rapids Titans of the Indoor Football League.
[54] The summer before his freshman year in college, he lost his brother, cousin and best friend to fatal shooting deaths.