‘Possibilities could be endless’ for Marshall

Georgia received a bonus addition on National Signing Day when defensive lineman David Marshall flipped his commitment from Auburn to play at Georgia.

Nine months later, Marshall has two starts under his belt and has been an integral piece of the Bulldogs’ front seven in each of the six games he has played.

Few expected that from the three-star recruit. But his high school coach, Tommy Parks at Upson-Lee, felt Marshall would be able to hit the ground running early in his college career.

“It wasn’t surprising at all,” Parks said. “David has dealt with changes in his personal life, such as losing his mom at an early age, then his grandfather who he was close to. So for him to go to college and to start producing as early as he has, I think it’s normalcy for him.”

Marshall has taken advantage of a young Bulldogs’ defensive line with nose tackle John Atkins serving as the elder statesman of the group. Marshall has been able to earn his spot and has racked up 13 total tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble.

Parks, who joined the Upson-Lee staff prior to Marshall’s junior year, got to see Marshall begin to transition to the collegiate level. And while not being able to coach him through the ranks of youth and high school football, Parks has been able to learn that Marshall is plenty fit for the task ahead.

Marshall displayed that to Parks and the Upson-Lee staff in his junior year, collecting 57 total tackles with 13 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. His potential was on display that year, and Marshall also gained recognition from Power 5 conference programs at that time.

“David’s a blue-collar kid who knows how to overcome adversity and puts a lot of work into his craft,” Parks said. “He takes pride in his work, does a great job and he always plays hard, using football as a sanctuary to let his frustrations go without boasting. I compare his qualities to the Tim McGraw song, ‘Humble and Kind,’ because that’s just what David is. He’s always smiling, humble and just a good-hearted young man.”

Marshall’s first big moment came in his inaugural game as a collegiate player when he recorded his first-ever sack in Georgia’s season opener against North Carolina. Parks was tuned in and happy to see his former player being successful at the next level.

Meanwhile, he thought about what it meant for the new 6-foot-3, 273-pound Georgia player and his family after everything the Marshall family has had to endure.

“It was all about gratification for David Marshall,” Parks said. “I know there may have been many of question marks about David as a late signee for Georgia and a three-star recruit, so I was just happy for the family and those that are within his support system. Having something that David always thought he could do, and to see it come to fruition was special.”

Parks, previously the head coach at Harris County, has coached defensive lineman LaMichael Fanning, who saw time at Alabama, and Jordan Jenkins, the former Georgia standout who now plays for the New York Jets.

Marshall, who has seen time at both outside linebacker and defensive line, serves as a blend of those two successful talents.

“David doesn’t have Jordan’s fast-twitch ability but is a great two-gap player like LaMichael was,” Parks said. “It was all about which system that David would fit into but the potential is definitely there, with his strength being his mental approach. If he is to keep that same mindset and embrace his opportunities, his future possibilities could be endless.”

This story was originally published November 3, 2016 at 5:25 PM with the headline "‘Possibilities could be endless’ for Marshall."