ESPN tabs Florida Gators CB Jason Marshall Jr. as 2024 first-round pick
After having six players selected in this year’s NFL Draft, including quarterback Anthony Richardson at No. 4 overall, the Gators could very well produce a first-round pick in 2024 as well.
In his first 2024 NFL Mock Draft, ESPN’s Jordan Reid has the Dallas Cowboys selecting Florida cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. with the 27th pick overall.
As a sophomore, the Miami native racked up 29 tackles (20 solo), nine pass deflections and one interception. He started all 13 games for Billy Napier’s program and was a five-star signee in the 2021 class, checking in as a top-30 prospect and the No. 2-ranked cornerback.
However, NFL teams will be looking for one key improvement as Marshall gears up for year three with the Gators. It will likely play a major role in his ceiling during next April’s draft.
“Stephon Gilmore — who is turning 33 and entering the final year of his contract — doesn’t seem to be in the Cowboys’ long-term plans, and Trevon Diggs is likely to become expensive in the near future. That is to say the Cowboys may be relying on drafting well in the secondary behind Diggs.
“At 6-foot-1 and 198 pounds, Marshall’s length causes issues for opponents in man coverage. However, he lacks ball production (only two career interceptions), and scouts want to see him make a bigger impact on passes in the air next season.” — ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Jordan Reid.
Sinced arriving in Gainesville, Marshall has appeared in all 26 of the Gators’ games and started 19 of them. This fall will mark his third year as a starter, as UF started him six times as a freshman as well.
Jason Marshall was March’s GatorMade Wuerffel Man of the Month
The honor is given monthly to “a football scholar-athlete that exemplifies the Gator Standard, demonstrating holistic excellence in leadership, character, service, and academics.” The distinction is not an on-field achievement, but rather one about the character of the player.
The Award was initiated by Billy Napier and Savannah Bailey, who leads the GatorMade Program.
When speaking in the spring about players who have shown growth since the end of last season, secondary coach Corey Raymond wasted little time throwing Marshall’s name into the conversation.
“Well, I’ll say Jason Marshall; he got better. As the season started progressing, you saw the climb in his play. He was a highly-recruited guy; everybody recruited him. You see that coming out right now.”
What has been the biggest change for the South Florida native?
“Honestly just being a pro, doing everything the right way,” Raymond said. “Working extra, working hard at practice, doing all those little things. He’s doing that. It’s like he’s ready to be a professional and he’s working like that to be a professional.”
The talent is there and Marshall has plenty of believers in his ability. Now, it’s about showcasing it on the biggest stage for what’s going to be his most important season to date.
Stay tuned to Gators Online.
