Six Auburn Football Players Aim to Advance Their NFL Draft Stock in the Senior Bowl

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Nick Marshall (14) runs the ball against the Wisconsin Badgers during the first half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Marshall

• Position: Quarterback/Defensive Back
• Height: 6-foot-1 ½
• Weight: 205 pounds

One of the best quarterbacks in Auburn football history, Nick Marshall’s swan song as a signal caller is expected to come Saturday in Mobile. The Tigers’ single-game passing record holder has been expected to play behind center since being added to the roster last week, but projects as a defensive back at the NFL level.

“Nick Marshall is a player that has been on our radar all season,” Senior Bowl executive director Phil Savage said last week. “And I had basically indicated to the Auburn staff and his representation after the bowl game that, look, if he wants to play defensive back we will take him yesterday because, in my opinion, taking the Senior Bowl hat off and putting the NFL hat on, if he goes to defensive back he probably opens up the opportunity for 32 teams.

“If he stays at quarterback it will limit the number of teams that will really have a sincere interest in him. It’s just my own take on it coming into the week, so we’ll see if he can increase that.”

Marshall played defensive back as a true freshman at Georgia in 2011, but switched back to quarterback in junior college and emerged as the starter at Auburn in 2013.

In his Auburn career, Marshall amassed 4,508 passing yards, 1,866 rushing yards and combined for 57 touchdowns. He tossed 13 interceptions, and while his accuracy has come into question at times, Marshall completed 60% of his passes as a Tiger.

Since the end of the 2014 season, Marshall has been training as a quarterback and defensive back in Pensacola, Florida and has also reportedly been working on catching punts.

Marshall will practice some on defense and special teams during Senior Bowl preparations, and according to reports Wednesday did not receive any work at quarterback on the first day of practices.

Next: Sammie Coates