Andrew Marshall spreading wings as Nebraska’s lockdown corner

CHICAGO — The veteran cornerback is looking forward to building off his breakout campaign with the Huskers, and now considers himself the general of the secondary.

Andrew Marshall showed his value to the defense last year by being a staple against the run, and a ballhawk out in pass coverage. He started all 13 games, ranked sixth on the team in tackles, and helped the Blackshirts finish third nationally in passing yards allowed.

Despite the loss of DeShon Singleton, Ceyair Wright, Malcolm Hartzog and Marquise Buford to the secondary, Marshall is confident the Huskers will field an elite unit this upcoming season. After all, the defense is now under Bob Aurich’s leadership, who runs a 4-2-5 scheme. Marshall understands that Aurich’s system gives him more freedom out in coverage, and he should be able to thrive in it with his versatility.

The former three-star prospect is enjoying his journey from the FCS ranks, to making plays in the nation’s premiere conference. In Marshall’s eyes, the best is yet to come for the secondary. Although fall camp gets intense at times, Marshall continues to lead by example, knowing that he’s carrying the torch from his former teammates. The younger defensive backs are eager to learn from Marshall, and he’s enjoying his leadership role, while helping the rest of the unit establish an identity.

“I feel like I carry myself as a professional, even before I got here, then getting here and being around leaders like Deshon, and Marquise, and understanding how they run,” Marshall said. “I understood that it was their last year, so it’s my time to step up.”

Marshall is no stranger to attacking the ball, and being very productive out on an island. After all, he recorded five tackles apiece against Cincinnati, Houston Christian, Michigan State and UCLA. The former three-star prospect even hauled in an interception against USC. Marshall takes pride in being a competitor, and has no issues with covering the top wideout from the opposing offense.

The rest of the secondary is also looking promising to Marshall. Fellow corner Donovan Jones happens to be a stud out in pass coverage too, and there are a couple of new players that Marshall expects to emerge from the shadows this fall.

“We got guys I can tell you that, we can get after it, and you’re going to see that,” he said. “I’m ready to play, go against the run and everything, because I know how hard my guys have worked this offseason with their training, and the effort that we put into it, so it’s all going to come together.”

Defenders like safety Jamir Conn, and linebacker Owen Chambliss are impressing Marshall in practice. Conn has the work ethic, and Chambliss packs the vocal leadership that should bode well for Nebraska’s defense in Big Ten play.

Last season the Blackshirts failed to stop the run, and struggled in the trenches. That’s a recipe for disaster in the Big Ten, and Marshall ie eager to change the narrative. It’s all about chopping wood each day, and making strides. Marshall feels practice makes perfect, and it comes down to attacking the workout, instead of letting it attack you.

“You definitely see growth from last offseason to this offseason, speaking specifically about the defense,” the Californian said.”I think we’ve grown in the way we communicate, how well we fly around to the ball, and that’s the type of brotherhood we’re assimilating.”

Being physically, and mentally tough will be vital for the secondary, and Marshall plans on doing his part with eliminating the explosive plays. From reading the quarterback’s eyes, to knocking receivers off the top of their routes and breaking on the ball, Marshall intends on taking advantage of the opposition’s mistakes.

Regardless, Marshall wants to uphold the standard, and make the Huskers’ defense a feared unit again, knowing they now have the horses to dominate on the gridiron.

“Tenacious, relentless, know that we’re coming after you play in and play out, we’re going to attack you and you’re going to feel that strength.”