I'm beginning to feel juuuuussst a bit better about this season. I will say however, Marshall hasn't won a game yet, much less the starting job. And I still have a problem getting past the number of turnovers he had last year. But....I like what his former corch has to say and I think it also speaks well for Jeremy Johnson that a guy with seemingly this much talent can't separate himself from JJ. Anyway, pinched/pasted from the al. I am a gay twerker that has no balls!!!! I also have no idea how to use the quote function to post stories, so I annoy the piss out of others. I like male genatalia in and around my mouth.
Matt Miller jokes about his career trajectory, but there is a small amount of truth tinting the humor.
The offensive coordinator at Garden City (Kan.) Community College was promoted to head coach following the departure of Jeff Tatum in January, a mere seven months after joining the staff. He quickly caught the attention of the school's administration when his offense carved up teams thanks to his schemes and the duality of quarterback Nick Marshall, who threw for 3,142 yards and rushed for 1,095 more.
"It all had to do with Nick Marshall. I'm indebted to him," Miller said, laughing. "In all seriousness, he was a joy to work with and a tremendous team leader."
Marshall signed with Auburn in February, turning down offers from quarterback-focused schools such as Baylor and Kansas State. He finds himself in the middle of a two-man fight for Auburn's starting quarterback job.
Information on the battle has been scarce by design, but the junior has been impressive behind closed doors, throwing deep touchdown passes while using his feet to pick up more yards in three scrimmages. Freshman Jeremy Johnson has been impressive, too, and is showing maturity and accuracy despite the expectations many attach to players fresh out of high school.
Marshall, meanwhile, is already somewhat proven as a quarterback on the college level. He holds the Georgia state record for touchdown passes (103) in a career and his single season at Garden City Community College included several highlight-reel plays and come-from-behind wins.
But just how good will he be if he is named the Tigers' starter? After all, the Southeastern Conference is a much better conference than those on the junior college level.
"I think he could be as good as any quarterback in the SEC," Miller said. "Talent wise, he's as talented of a quarterback as Johnny Manziel. You might think I'm crazy for saying that, but you get him on the field, he plays at a different level. He's got some freakish talent."
There is such a thing as trying too hard.
Marshall found out the hard way last year in junior college, where he recorded eye-popping numbers but also committed 25 turnovers to go along with his 37 touchdowns.
Ball security seemed to be an issue and it prompted questions from every major coach looking for a dual-threat quarterback on the recruiting trail in Kansas.
Is Marshall careless with the football? Why were the turnovers happening in bunches?
"Last year our defense was not up to par, to say the least," Miller said. "... There were plays where he knew better but he was trying to make a play when nothing was going right on the defensive ball. He felt we had to score a touchdown every time he touched the ball and that was basically the truth."
GCCC finished in the top five nationally in most offensive categories, and routinely won games in shootouts thanks to Marshall's rocket arm and strong legs. Baylor, Kansas State and Auburn came calling. KSU held a scholarship open for him despite receiving a commitment from four-star quarterback Jake Waters out of Iowa Western.
He chose Auburn. KSU still has that extra scholarship in their coffers.
Here's the good news for Auburn fans concerned about those turnovers and careless plays: Marshall did not throw an interception during the Tigers' first (and only) live-tackling scrimmage of preseason camp.
"Nick has done well," Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. "I think he’s been very conscious of it."
"He's done a solid job up to this point," coach Gus Malzahn said Monday. "You know, that's our focus -- not just Nick -- but we're definitely stressing it, coach Lashlee's stressing it, and so far in fall camp he's done a solid job with it."
Turnovers have been few for both Johnson and Marshall in the Tigers' first three scrimmages of camp. Ball security drills have helped alleviate some issues. The Tigers' quarterbacks go through ball-control drills every day in practice, whether it's ball-band drills or Lashlee stressing and coaching the importance of keeping both hands on the football in the pocket.
"You’re in the pocket and when things start breaking down you have to flush and scramble," Lashlee said. "A lot of times you drop the one hand and that’s when any defensive lineman can rip it out. It takes discipline to be able to move, especially for athletic guys, and keep both hands on it at all times."
Individual praise and information on the quarterback battle has been scarce in the public realm as the coaches hone in on the practices.
One player recently referred to the two-man race as being "real close."
"They're fighting, and it's going to be a war," receiver Sammie Coates said Tuesday.
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