CB Jason Marshall Jr. Returning to Florida for Senior Campaign

Jason Marshall Jr. is returning to Florida for a senior season and his third as a full-time starter in the Gators' secondary.

Photo: Florida cornerback Jason Marshall Jr.; Credit: Alex Shepherd

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Gators cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. announced plans to return to Florida for his senior season on Wednesday.

"I'm back," Marshall wrote. 

A Miami, Fla. native, former five-star prospect and prized member of the Gators' 2021 recruiting class under former head coach Dan Mullen, Marshall has started 32 games at cornerback for Florida dating back to his freshman season in 2021, making 38 appearances in total. 

Along the way, Marshall has compiled 78 total tackles including six for loss, one sack, two interceptions and 23 pass breakups. Pro Football Focus credits him for allowing only 58 receptions over 124 targets in his career, generating a completion percentage of 46.8% given up in coverage. 

Marshall produced a single-season career-high 10 pass breakups in 2023, although PFF dinged him for allowing big plays to opposing receivers frequently as a junior, with 24.2 yards averaged per reception against him. 

Provided his vast experience and all-around solid production at Florida, Marshall was considered a potential candidate to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft before his Wednesday announcement. 

Marshall returns as not only a seasoned piece but also a senior leader for new Gators defensive backs coach Will Harris' secondary, a unit that is otherwise expected to largely depend on its youth and the help of transfers in 2024 following the departures of former starters Jaydon Hill, Miguel Mitchell and Jalen Kimber to the NCAA transfer portal this postseason. 

Rising sophomore safety Jordan Castell will join Marshall in the unit's leadership ranks after obtaining Coaches Freshmen All-SEC recognition for his play as a rookie in 2023.

Marshall is the third Florida player to announce their intention to return to the program for the 2024 season rather than entering the draft, following quarterback Graham Mertz and defensive tackle Cam Jackson. 

The only Florida player to declare for the NFL Draft with collegiate eligibility remaining thus far this offseason has been offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun. The deadline for underclass prospects to file declaration paperwork is Jan. 15. 

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