Auburn coach Gus Malzahn: Nick Marshall can play quarterback in NFL
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn says Nick Marshall has enough talent to play quarterback in the NFL.
Marshall worked out as a quarterback during the NFL scouting combine last month and played the position at the Senior Bowl.
“I know he can be a quarterback at the next level,” Malzahn said to NFL Network. “It needs to be in the right system. You’re talking about a guy that’s probably one of the best zone-read quarterbacks in the history of college football.
Marshall was a cornerback at the beginning of his college career at Georgia before being dismissed for violating team rules. He later transferred to Auburn after a year with Garden City Community College.
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He said he has no problems converting back to the position to further his professional career.
“It won't be a hard transition for me to make,” Marshall said to AL.com after the season. “It's something that I know if I put my mind to it I can do anything that I want."
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Marshall completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,532 yards with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions during his senior season at Auburn. He also ran for 798 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“He’s a great athlete. He can play defensive back, he can play receiver, he’s got a great attitude, he’s a team player, and he just wants to help someone win,” Malzahn said.
Marshall, listed at 6'1" and 210 pounds, ran a 4.54 40-yard dash during the combine and says he wants to improve on that mark during Auburn’s pro day on Tuesday.
"I'm definitely going to run my 40 again because I know I can do better," Marshall said. "I'm not going to bench press again and I feel pretty good about my other (drill) times. But I plan to do position drills again, too."
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