Former Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall, who made a name for himself with his electrifying plays and leadership during the 2013 season, has resurfaced in the world of football. A recent video produced by AL.com’s sports video team sheds light on Marshall’s current whereabouts and career trajectory.
Marshall, born in Pineview, Georgia, first showcased his football talents at Wilcox County High School in Rochelle, where he led his team to a state title during his junior year. In addition to football, Marshall excelled in basketball and track. Initially, he signed with Georgia as a defensive back but was ultimately dismissed from the team due to a violation of team rules.
Not one to be deterred, Marshall transferred to Garden City Community College, where he established himself as the starting quarterback and put up impressive numbers. It was his performance at Garden City that caught the attention of Auburn University and their first-year head coach, Gus Malzahn, an offensive genius.
Marshall’s arrival at Auburn coincided with a critical turning point for the Tigers. After a disappointing 3-9 season in 2012 under former head coach Gene Chizik, Marshall played a vital role in rejuvenating the program. In the 2013 season, Auburn soared to a 12-2 record, thanks in large part to Marshall’s contributions on the field.
One of the most memorable moments of Marshall’s career came during a game against Georgia. Auburn, with a record of 9-1, faced an uphill battle in their quest to win the SEC western division. A loss would have all but guaranteed a third consecutive trip to the conference title game for their rival, Alabama. With just 25 seconds remaining, Marshall threw a Hail Mary pass that was tipped by a Georgia defender and caught by Ricardo Louis, who raced into the end zone, securing a 43-38 victory for Auburn.
Two weeks later, Marshall etched his name in Auburn folklore once again. In the Iron Bowl against Alabama, he threw a game-tying touchdown pass to Sammie Coates with only 32 seconds left on the clock. This set the stage for Chris Davis’ miraculous return of a missed field goal for a walk-off touchdown, sealing a victory for Auburn and clinching the division in a truly sensational fashion.
Marshall returned for the 2014 season, where he continued to impress with his passing and rushing abilities, throwing for over 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns while also rushing for nearly 800 yards and 11 touchdowns. However, the NFL did not show much interest in Marshall as a quarterback, and he went undrafted in 2015. He signed a free agent deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, primarily playing on special teams but gradually earning more playing time on defense.
Although Marshall saw his first start in week 17 against the Houston Texans, his time with the Jaguars was short-lived. He was eventually waived by the team after being suspended for four games due to testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Marshall then briefly joined the Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers alongside his brother Antonio Marshall but left the team before the season began.
However, Marshall’s football journey did not end there. He signed with the Canadian Football League (CFL) and landed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Currently, Marshall remains on the active roster for the Roughriders, playing as a cornerback.
Nick Marshall’s story is one of resilience and determination. Despite facing setbacks and challenges along the way, he continues to pursue his passion for football. As fans eagerly follow his career in the CFL, there’s no doubt that Marshall’s electrifying presence on the field will forever be remembered in Auburn’s football history.
