“I’ve returned,” Marshall wrote.
Marshall, a Miami, Fla. native and former five-star prospect from the Gators’ 2021 recruiting class under previous head coach Dan Mullen, has started 32 games at cornerback for Florida since his freshman season in 2021, totaling 38 appearances.
Marshall has 78 total tackles, including six for loss, one sack, two interceptions, and 23 pass breakups. According to Pro Football Focus, he has only allowed 58 receptions on 124 targets in his career, resulting in a completion rate of 46.8% given up in coverage.
Marshall had a single-season career high of 10 pass breakups in 2023, but PFF criticized him for routinely allowing huge plays to opposition receivers as a junior, with 24.2 yards averaged per reception against him.
Marshall was considered a probable contender to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft prior to his Wednesday declaration, owing to his extensive experience and overall strong performance at Florida.
Marshall returns as a seasoned player as well as a senior leader for new Gators defensive backs coach Will Harris’ secondary, which is expected to rely heavily on youth and transfers in 2024 following the departures of former starters Jaydon Hill, Miguel Mitchell, and Jalen Kimber to the NCAA transfer portal this postseason.
After earning Coaches Freshmen All-SEC honors as a rookie in 2023, rising sophomore safety Jordan Castell will join Marshall in the unit’s leadership ranks.
Marshall is the third Florida athlete to declare his intention to return to the program rather than enter the draft for the 2024 season, joining quarterback Graham Mertz and defensive tackle Cam Jackson.
This spring, offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun has been the sole Florida athlete to declare for the NFL Draft with collegiate eligibility remaining. The deadline for underclassmen to submit declaration documentation is January 15.
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