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NC State football begins fall camp in a few weeks ahead of its Aug. 28 season-opener against ECU. After a disappointing 2024 campaign, veteran head coach Dave Doeren and the Wolfpack will try to get back on track this season.
Offensively, State returns multiple key players. However, there are questions on both sides of the ball. Fortunately, State added some key pieces from the transfer portal and multiple young players impressed in spring practice and appear ready to take the next step.
Coming in at No. 18 is senior cornerback Devon Marshall.
BACKGROUND
Marshall is State's most experienced returning corner. Last season, which was his first with the Wolfpack, Marshall played in all 13 games, including five starts. He finished his junior year with 33 tackles, nine pass breakups, two interceptions and a forced fumble.
Prior to joining the Pack, Marshall spent two seasons at Villanova. As sophomore in 2023 for Villanova, the West Roxbury (Mass.) native had a breakout season for the Wildcats, which went 10-3 that season, totaling 47 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, and a team-high 11 pass breakups in 13 games.
In December 2023, Marshall entered the transfer portal, and quickly became a coveted prospect, picking up offers from the Wolfpack, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Houston, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Boston College and several others. Ultimately, he committed to State in early January 2024. He was a high-three-star transfer prospect and No. 46 portal cornerback, per 247Sports.
Before signing with Villanova, Marshall was a standout at Boston (Mass.) Catholic Memorial where he earned first-team all-state and was named defensive MVP as a senior, while helping his high school win a state championship.
2025 OUTLOOK
Between players exhausting their eligibility and transferring, State's secondary was decimated after the 2024 season. Before going further, to the Pack's credit, it added four transfer defensive backs. Regardless, Marshall's experience last year and at Villanova, make him very valuable to the 2025 Wolfpack, especially with the aforementioned questions at all three levels of the Wolfpack's defense.
Last fall, he was solid for State. There is young depth behind him, but far from proven heading into a critical season for the Wolfpack. Can Marshall take his game to the next level this fall? That's the question because the Pack is counting on him to play a much bigger role in his final season.
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