GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Heading into his junior season, Florida Gators cornerback Jason Marshall was being talked about as a potential first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Marshall’s season didn’t go the way he or anyone planned. He struggled at times, allowing 17 catches and five touchdowns as a junior.
It led him to a podium at the Heavener Football Facility in fall camp of his senior season, where, a more introspective Marshall talked about losing his confidence last year.
“I don’t remember when I lost it but I did lose some confidence, obviously you can see on the tape,” Marshall said after the third practice of fall camp.
Marshall gave up two touchdown passes in the first three weeks of the 2023 season — including a 70-yard bomb in the season opener. He gave up two more against Vanderbilt and another 85-yard touchdown. Cornerbacks are typically loud and they’re certainly confident. You have to be rationally confident to play cornerback in today’s game where even laying a finger on a receiver might end up in a 15-yard penalty.
Those long touchdowns early on in the season definitely shook his confidence but, perhaps, there was a reason. The Gators were young behind Marshall last season. Florida started a true freshman at safety in Jordan Castell, who played more snaps than anyone on the defensive side of the ball. Next to Casetll was sophomore Miguel Mitchell, who was third on the team in missed tackles, and another true freshman in Bryce Thornton. The last line of defense, the players that were supposed to have Marshall’s back, were inexperienced and played like freshmen at times. Not having confidence in who is behind you to back you up can change the way you play and if you’re not playing.
Florida added redshirt senior Asa Turner, who has played more than 1,600 snaps. He’s a veteran and a player who immediately gave the cornerbacks that play in front of him more confidence.
“He came in with experience. It’s not like he came in and he doesn’t know what to do. He has playing time,” Marshall said of Turner. “It’s good for him to come. He’s got experience. It just makes my game easier. He’s back there helping me.”
Jason Marshall on Jordan Castell’s growth
Castell returns and while he may be a sophomore on the roster, he played 660 snaps a season ago. That’s about as experienced as you can get as a sophomore. He played well but there were moments where he showed his age and inexperience. Ultimately, he’ll be better for having played as much as he did last season.
“He was a freshman so they basically just threw him out there. This year, coming in, he has a lot more experience under his belt. A lot more knowledge,” Marshall said of Castell. “Also, bringing in Asa, who has experience as well and he can learn from Asa as well. Just go out there and make plays, be confident in his game, be confident and go out and make plays.”
Marshall may not have had the season he wanted in 2023 but it’s behind him. He’s regained his confidence, partly because of the added experience of the players around him. This year will be his last and he’s out to make it his best.
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