Michigan EDGE Nate Marshall a 'scary player' and 'a name everybody's going to be talking about'

Michigan Wolverines football played 31 players on defense in a 34-17 win over New Mexico to open the season, and many of them flashed with big plays. Five freshman saw action on defense, including EDGE Nate Marshall, who put on a show in limited action, logging 23 snaps.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder recorded 2 quarterback pressures on 17 pass rush snaps, and even dropped into coverage two times. He had the hit on quarterback Jack Layne that caused the throw to be intercepted by sophomore linebacker Cole Sullivan in the fourth quarter.

Michigan graduate EDGE TJ Guy, who recorded his own interception earlier in the game, had confidence in Marshall coming into the game, and he delivered.

“I like seeing them go out there and let it all hang out, just being themselves,” Guy said on the ‘Inside Michigan Football’ radio show. “I told Nate, ‘Bro, just do what got you here. Don’t overthink, nothing. It’s the same game. Just be you. And he did that, and he made some flashes.

“He’s going to be a scary player for the Big Ten.”

Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale saw those flashes and agrees that, in time, Marshall will be special. The Oak Park, Ill., native only arrived to the program this summer, but he’s already impressing.

“Nate Marshall is going to be a name everybody’s going to be talking about,” Martindale said.

“You could see it from day one. Now, he’s young. He’s been the guy in high school, so it was a little bit different for him in training camp. You’re not the guy anymore. You’re just one of the guys. 

“He’s adjusting to that, but yet he showed everybody, every Michigan fan, that the way he rushed the quarterback is … he’s just getting started. He’s still green, but he’s fun to watch.”

Junior EDGE Cameron Brandt is coming into his own in his third season. He posted 2 tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage, and added a pressure. Michigan assistant defensive line coach Pernell McPhee named him the edge rusher of the week.

“I thought Cam was dominant in the game,” Martindale said. “We knew going into the season that he’s that type of player. I said he always does the dirty work, which he does. It doesn’t matter to him where you line him up. Some guys have preferences, like I like the left side, the right side. Cam just wants to play football.

“He’s as blue collar as it gets and playing with the physicality of football, it’s fun to watch.”

Overall, Martindale was pleased with the way Michigan’s edge rushers performed in the opener.

“I thought that they played well,” Martindale said. “There are things to clean up, as far as the physicality part of the game, but they got the best coach in the business in ‘Phee to correct those things.

“What people don’t understand is that in this system, the edge players play a significant role, especially in the run game, so there’s a lot of teaching, a lot of technique. I thought the physicality was great.

“I mean, D-Mo [senior Derrick Moore] set the tempo early. TJ did a nice job, as well. And we had some young guys that went out there.”