Marshall was born in Pineview, Georgia, the son of Phillip Marshall and Shalena Cliett,[1] and attended high school at Wilcox County High School in Rochelle, Georgia. He was a three-sport star in basketball, football and track. He was named the boys basketball AP Class A player of the year twice. In football, he led Wilcox County to the Class A championship as a junior, while passing for 2,956 yards and 32 touchdowns. He was named the Class A Offensive Player of the Year as well as a part of the PrepStar All-American team, SuperPrep All-Dixie team, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Super 11" team. As a freshman, he joined the school's track & field team, and with only two weeks of training, he qualified for the state finals in the high jump by leaping 1.78 meters (5-10) at the Region 2A Boys Meet.[2] At the Georgia Class A State Meet, he finished fifth in the high jump, recording a career-best leap of 1.93 meters (6-4).[3] After that meet, he never competed in track again.
Marshall decided on going to the University of Georgia for college because he was offered the opportunity to play both basketball and football.[4]
College career
Marshall began his college career in 2011 as a cornerback for the University of Georgia.[5]
Marshall and two teammates were dismissed from the team for an unspecified "violation of team rules."[4]
Marshall transferred to Garden City Community College where he was the starting quarterback in 2012 and led the team to a 7–4 record while scoring 37 touchdowns (19 rushing, 18 passing), passing for 3,142 yards, and becoming the team’s leading rusher with 1,095 yards.[6] After one season with Garden City Community College, Marshall then transferred to Auburn with the hope of playing quarterback.
Starting quarterback for Auburn
In August 2013, Marshall was named starting quarterback for Auburn.[7] This came after a heated four-man race for the position in head coach Gus Malzahn's newly installed offense which saw 2012 starting quarterback Kiehl Frazier transfer to safety on the defensive side of the ball.[8]
Marshall was instrumental in Auburn's turnaround from a 3–9 season in 2012 to beginning the 2013 season 9–1 while beating the Ole Miss Rebels, then ranked #24 in the AP Poll and #7 Texas A&M Aggies.
On November 16, 2013, Marshall was the quarterback behind a play known as "The Prayer at Jordan-Hare" when he threw a 73-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to Ricardo Louis on a 4th-and-18 with 36 seconds left[9] to defeat the Georgia Bulldogs.[10]
On November 30, 2013, Marshall threw the game-tying touchdown pass with 32 seconds remaining in the epic 2013 Iron Bowl to even the score 28–28. Auburn won the game on a 109-yard touchdown return from an Alabama missed field goal. The team later went on to win the SEC Championship, and earned a berth in the 2014 BCS National Championship Game and lost.
Although he was invited to the 2015 Senior Bowl as a quarterback, Marshall announced during the week that he would move to cornerback in his attempt for an NFL career.[14][15]
Jacksonville Jaguars
Marshall was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a free-agent after going undrafted in the 2015 NFL draft[16] He played primarily on special teams including returning kickoffs for most of the season but saw his role on defense increase the last four weeks of the season. He started his first NFL game Week 17 against the Houston Texans.[17] On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Jaguars.[18] He was signed to the Jaguars' practice squad the next day.[19]
New York Jets
On October 12, 2016, Marshall was signed by the Jets off of the Jaguars' practice squad.[20]
On April 14, 2017, Marshall was suspended four games for testing positive on performance-enhancing drugs.[21] Marshall was waived by the Jets on May 4, 2017.[22]
Arizona Rattlers
On November 2, 2017, Marshall was signed to the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League, alongside his brother, defensive back Antonio Marshall.[23] However, both brothers departed the team before the 2018 season began, with Nick signing in the CFL.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
In April 2018, Marshall signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[24] After the preseason, Marshall was named a starter at cornerback for the 2018 season.[25] In Week 1 against the Toronto Argonauts, Marshall recorded an interception for a touchdown for the game-winning points in the 27–19 victory, but was subsequently placed on the six-game injured list following a broken finger.[26] Marshall recorded another 'pick-six' in addition to a rushing touchdown in the Riders Week 10 win over the Calgary Stampeders.[27] Marshall has subsequently been used as a situational rusher on short yardage and goal-line plays, recording 18 rushes for 48 yards and 7 touchdowns. In 13 games, Marshall finished the regular season with 26 tackles, 3 interceptions (two of which were returned for scores), and one forced fumble. The 2019 Roughriders finished in first place for the West Division, and under new head coach Craig Dickenson, Marshall relinquished rushing duties, resulting in an improved year as a defensive back; in 17 games played, Marshall recorded 39 tackles and five interceptions, one of which was taken back for a score.
Marshall signed a one-year contract extension with the Roughriders on December 22, 2020.[28]
Marshall was released by the Roughriders on November 13, 2023 after Marshall was arrested for a firearm possession charge in his home state of Georgia on November 8, 2023.[29]
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