Positive: Adequately sized cornerback who is best facing the action. Physical, mixes it up with receivers throughout the route, and works hard to get up the field to make plays against screen passes and the run. Displays a burst of closing speed and the ability to drive out of his plant. Effective when receivers are in front of him.
Negative: Slow following receivers off the line, loses in transition, and is usually a half step late in man coverage. Does not display the ability to stay downfield with opponents.
Analysis: Gipson has been an effective run-defending cornerback in college but possesses unpolished ball skills. He's a special teams prospect with potential as a dime back in zone coverage."
2009: Gipson was perhaps Wyoming's most versatile defensive back in his junior season of `09. He led Wyoming in forced fumbles, with three, and ranked No. 3 in the Mountain West and No. 60 in the nation in that category. Gipson was sixth on the team and No. 30 in the conference in tackles (71). He had a season high 12 tackles vs. No. 2 ranked Texas. He had seven pass breakups -- second on the team to his younger brother Tashaun's nine. The elder Gipson was also used as a blitzer and recorded 2.0 sacks and 3.0 tackles for losses on the season. His two sacks came against UNLV and Colorado State. He had a season high three pass breakups on two occasions -- versus UNLV and New Mexico. The Texas native also led Wyoming in kickoff returns, averaging 22.6 yards per return to rank No. 7 in the MWC and No. 85 in the nation.
2008: The older Gipson tied for the team lead in pass breakups as a sophomore with 10. His athletic ability was also utilized by the Cowboy defense as a blitzer, with him recording 1.0 sack and 2.5 tackles for losses. He ended the season with 45 total tackles, and started every game on the season for UW. In terms of top individual game performances, Gipson had a season high six tackles twice -- versus Bowling Green and at New Mexico. He was credited with five tackles versus Ohio, and had four tackles, 1.0 sack and one pass breakup against North Dakota State. Against Tennessee in Knoxville, Gipson was credited with an amazing five pass breakups in one game in a 13-7 Wyoming victory over the Volunteers. A physical tackler and talented cover corner, Gipson was one of the most impressive players in spring practice in `08. Entering spring, cornerback was one of the few concerns on the defensive side of the ball for Wyoming after the graduation of two-year starters Julius Stinson, a First Team All-MWC selection in `07, and Michael Medina. But Gipson stepped up to earn a starting spot as only a sophomore.
2007: Gipson rejoined the Wyoming Football team in the fall of `07 and paid his own way as he earned his eligibility back. He had to leave school in the spring of 2007 to attend to family matters.
2006: Arriving at UW in the spring of `06 as a grayshirt, Gipson showed signs of being a very promising talent. He also quickly established himself as a physical player, recording some of the biggest hits of 2006 spring drills. He had a strong fall camp, making the transition to learning a new position -- cornerback. He played quarterback and running back in high school. Gipson appeared in five games as a true freshman, and was credited with three total tackles.
2005: He originally signed with Wyoming in February of 2005 as a grayshirt and enrolled at UW in the spring of `06.
High School: Gipson was named the District 9 Most Valuable Player in Class 5A, and was both an All-District and All-Area selection at Sunset High School in Dallas, Texas, in 2004. He ranked No. 7 in the Dallas Metroplex in rushing for the 2004 season with 1,650 yards on 221 carries and scored 21 touchdowns in just eight games. He moved from running back after the first five games of his senior season to play quarterback to help his team. In addition to football, Gipson was also an outstanding track and field athlete, competing in the 100 and 200 meters, and lettered his junior and senior seasons in basketball. He was also an honor roll student all four years of high school, and was a National Honor Society member. He was coached in high school by Gary Comer. Gipson was also recruited by Arizona State, Baylor, Colorado State and New Mexico.
Personal: Born May 3, 1987, he is one of six children of Kimberly Roberson-Gipson and Michael Gipson. His father, played football at Arizona State University. Marcell and his fiancee, Janaetha London, have a daughter, Latiana, and a son, Marcell Jr. Marcell's younger brother Tashaun is the other starting cornerback for the Cowboys. Gipson is majoring in social science at Wyoming.
Strengths: Gipson has good speed. He has the recovery speed to close on routes when receivers get by him. Can break up passes and isn't afraid to get physical and make a tackle. Efficient blitzer off the edge.
Weaknesses: Reacts slow to recognize where the ball is in the running game. Takes himself out of the play too often with his lack of awareness. Breaks up passes but he isn't a playmaker who takes the ball away in the air. Gets tackles, but lacks the strength and balance to bring down most ball carriers consistently.
Projection: UDFA who should be invited to a training camp if he tests well with his speed."