LINCOLN, Neb. — On the last Friday in August, just before Andrew Marshall and his Idaho football teammates boarded a flight to Oregon ahead of their season opener, Josh Mitchell called his former standout defensive back with a reminder.
“This is the moment,” Mitchell told Marshall. “Seize it.”
Marshall contributed nine tackles and a pass breakup as the Vandals of the FCS pushed No. 3 Oregon in a 24-14 loss. A 6-foot, 185-pound cornerback, Marshall opened eyes to his talent two years after big-school recruiters overlooked him.
“I’m glad he got recognition for what I’ve always seen,” said Mitchell, a 28-game starter at cornerback for Nebraska and senior captain in 2014 who coached Marshall for two seasons at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Eastvale, Calif. “Opportunity is everything.”
Another opportunity awaits for Marshall. He parlayed his strong start as a sophomore at Idaho into a first-team All-Big Sky season and an offer from Nebraska to follow Mitchell’s path.
Marshall announced his pledge to the Huskers on Christmas Day. He and other newcomers are arriving in Lincoln this week, with the spring semester opening Tuesday.
Among a handful of transfers ticketed to offer immediate help, Marshall may provide a jolt on defense and to the Huskers’ sagging special teams. He starred at Idaho on kickoff and punt returns.
The same attitude that fueled him four months ago against Oregon, Marshall said, he’ll bring to Nebraska.
“The stage isn’t bigger than me,” he said. “I know I’m ready for this. Just go out there and play my game.”
Nebraska in 2024 scrambled to find the right pieces in pass coverage after top corner Tommi Hill suffered a foot injury in September. Problems on third down in pass defense plagued the Huskers in the second half of the season as they lost five of six games.
Even in their Pinstripe Bowl win against Boston College, it showed up.
Hill is gone this year. Nebraska returns Ceyair Wright, who started eight games at cornerback as a USC transfer. Second-year Huskers Mario Buford and Donovan Jones appear on the rise at corner. But seniors Malcolm Hartzog, who led Nebraska in interceptions with four, and Marques Buford are likely better fits at safety.
Enter Marshall.
“He can do everything,” Mitchell said. “He can play on an island. He has phenomenal ball skills. He can play zone. He’s comfortable with the ball in his hands. He’s still learning the position, too.
“Turn on the tape. You’re going to see the type of player he is. His ceiling is high. I keep saying it, if he takes care of what he needs to do on and off the field, he’ll play on Sundays.”
Mitchell said he’s never seen Marshall back down from a challenge. When they met at Roosevelt, Marshall played receiver. Trash talk from the former player-turned-coach pushed Marshall to try his hand at defensive back. Mitchell knew after watching Marshall in one workout that he could compete at a high level if he developed.
Mitchell heard from Marshall in December after Idaho lost in the second round of the FCS playoffs against Montana State. Marshall entered the transfer portal and listed Nebraska among the schools that interested him.
“He’s GBR til he dies,” Marshall said of Mitchell. “So he was recommending Nebraska.”
Mitchell didn’t push the Huskers on Marshall. Mitchell just encouraged him to take a look. In the meantime, Mitchell reached out to an old teammate, Keith Williams, the former offensive lineman who has climbed the coaching ladder under coach Matt Rhule to become a valuable recruiter.
Nebraska invited Marshall for a visit. He also made a trip to Miami.
What sold him on Nebraska?
“The coaching staff,” Marshall said. “That was the biggest thing for me.”
Rhule turned to an old talent to impress Marshall. They played Ping Pong. According to Marshall, Rhule tried to act like he didn’t play before they squared off. But Marshall was not fooled.
“I could tell when he was warming up,” Marshall said.
The game got intense. Rhule won by one point, leaving Marshall to want a rematch. He’d have to join the Huskers to get another crack at the coach.
Marshall did not mention his dealings with Nebraska’s collective, the 1890 Initiative, as a factor in his choice. But NIL resources played a key role in the Huskers’ ability to sign a transfer class that includes 16 members and ranks sixth nationally, according to 247Sports.
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While on his December visit to Lincoln, the Huskers conducted bowl practice. John Butler, the new defensive coordinator elevated from secondary coach, impressed Marshall with his coaching style. Marshall described Butler as “sharp.”
“He makes sure you know he wants you to perfect your craft,” Marshall said. “He’s not going to let you slide by.”
Something else grabbed Marshall’s attention. He saw how Nebraska fans valued special teams. Last season, Marshall accumulated 327 yards on eight kickoff returns and returned 14 punts for 150 yards.
He said he especially enjoys returning punts.
Nebraska ranked 111th last year and 124th in 2023 in punt-return average. It last accumulated 100 punt return yards in a season in 2020.
“You’ve got to have that mentality to want to be out there with 11 guys chasing you down the field,” Marshall said. “It starts with your mentality, being elusive, having the ability to move your body in certain ways, and (with) situational awareness.”
With Marshall in position to contend for a spot returning kicks, a new punter in Washington transfer Jack McCallister, a new long snapper in Kevin Gallic from New Hampshire and a new special teams coordinator — yet to be named — Nebraska is on its way to the overhaul Rhule promised after the bowl win in New York.
“We’ve lost so many games by a fraction of a margin,” Mitchell said. “To have somebody who’s dynamic on defense and in special teams, it changes the field position. Andrew is just not afraid of the moment. In those pressure situations, I think he’ll thrive.”
(Photo of Andrew Marshall (7): Craig Strobeck / USA Today)