Marshall prepared to fill any role with Riders
MURRAY MCCORMICK
Duron Carter has garnered a great deal of attention as the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ wide receiver and boundary cornerback.
There is another Rider involved when Carter isn’t on defence. That’s Nick Marshall, who is expected to start at boundary cornerback Friday when the Riders play host to the Toronto Argonauts in the regular-season opener for both CFL teams.
“Basically I’m the starter,” Marshall said after Wednesday ’s closed practice at Mosaic Stadium. “Personally I don’t even worry about (Carter) because I’m just out there doing my job. If (Carter) happens to come in for me, I’m going to be right there on the sideline cheering him on.”
Marshall is also more than a cornerback for the Riders. He has taken snaps as the quarterback in the wildcat formation and also returned punts in training camp.
“It doesn’t matter which position I play,” said Marshall, a 25-year-old native of Pineview, Ga. “I’m just doing whatever I can to help this team win.”
Marshall was a defensive back and quarterback in high school. He appeared in 13 games as a cornerback with the University of Georgia in 2011 before a violation of team rules in 2012 led to him being dismissed from the Bulldogs.
Marshall transferred to Garden City Community College where he returned to playing quarterback.
He then switched to Auburn University, where as a quarterback he threw for 4,508 yards and 34 touchdowns in two seasons. In 2013, Marshall rushed for 1,068 yards on 172 carries en route to leading the Tigers to the SEC championship.
Auburn, with Marshall at quarterback, reached the 2014 BCS national championship game and was beaten 34-31 by the Florida State Seminoles.
Marshall, at six-foot-one and 205 pounds, switched again to defensive back after the 2014 season because he felt it was the best way to earn an NFL job. He signed as a free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars after being bypassed in the 2015 NFL draft and dressed for 13 games as a defensive back and returner.
He had an eight-game stint with the New York Jets in 2016, but was released in 2017 after being suspended for four games for testing positive for a banned substance.
Marshall then joined the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League before making his way to the Riders’ spring mini-camp.
“If you love the sport of football, then you will do whatever it takes,” Marshall said.
“It has taken a sacrifice for me to come here and play football. Still, it’s the best route for me and I’m making the best of it.”
Ed Gainey, the Riders’ boundary halfback, has watched Marshall progress with the Riders.
“Because he plays quarterback, he has a good feel for the game,” Gainey said. “He’s a good learner. He’s always willing to be open when it comes to communication. I’m open-minded when it comes to questions and he knows that he can talk to me. I make sure that we communicate on every play.”
Marshall appreciates the guidance Gainey has provided.
“He’s one of the top defensive backs in my eyes,” Marshall said. “He had (10) interceptions last year and four in one game. Just seeing him, his demeanour and how he talks … we’re getting that chemistry down pat.”
Gainey and cornerback Kacy Rodgers II spent the previous two seasons manning the short side of the field. Rodgers signed with the Jets during the off-season, clearing a spot for Marshall.
“He’s had to replace a nice player for us in Kacy,” said Chris Jones, the Riders’ head coach and general manager. “He has done a nice job of learning a multitude of positions.”
Marshall gained experience from the Riders’ two pre-season games. He had two tackles and an interception in Saskatchewan’s 35-12 loss May 27 to the host Edmonton Eskimos. On Friday, he chipped in one defensive tackle in a 39-12 loss to the visiting Calgary Stampeders.
“It took me a good while to get used to the CFL,” Marshall said. “Once I started studying my playbook and watching more film, I learned how the game was played and it slowed down for me. Right now, I’m just playing ball.”