Marcus Marshall: The Next Jonathan Dwyer?

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets’ B-back Marcus Marshall had a coming out party Thursday night in the Jackets’ first game of the season against the Alcorn State Braves.

The true freshman rushed for 184 yards and 2 touchdowns on runs of 49 and 64 yards. Marcus Marshall also averaged an insane 23 yards per carry on Thursday, showcasing both his power and speed on the ground.

-= Related: Who Replaces Zach Laskey at B-back? =-

Though it is early in the season, and though Tech’s first opponent was an FCS school, it is becoming clear that Paul Johnson has an effective weapon at B-back in Marcus Marshall. Though Marshall is slotted below graduate transfer Patrick Skov on the Jackets’ depth chart, both he and Skov provide the jackets with unique and dangerous offensive weapons.

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Marcus Marshall hails from Millbrook High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. During his senior year, he broke his older brother Keith Marshall’s (UGA RB) rushing record, and was highly recruited by Paul Johnson. After watching Marcus Marshall play, I am reminded of a former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket B-back that possessed both power and speed, and was destined to play in the NFL: 2008 ACC Player of the Year and Kell High School alum Jonathan Dwyer.

In order to play in the triple option, a B-back must function as 1 part fullback and 1 part running back: having the ability to block but also to have the requisite amount of power and speed to break through tackles. Dwyer possessed that capability, and it certainly looks as if Marshall does as well.

His speed and long-range run ability was displayed on Thursday night, as Marshall broke through the front-line of Alcorn State for touchdown runs of 49 yards and 64 yards. Dwyer possessed a similar skill-set at B-back, finding a balance between power and speed.

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Obviously at this point it remains to be seen if Marcus Marshall can match the accomplishments and accolades of Jonathan Dwyer at Georgia Tech; but as a fan of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, it is encouraging to see Paul Johnson recruit great talent and re-stock the running back corps after losing Synjyn Days and Zach Laskey. With the Jackets preparing to face stiffer competition come September 19th as Tech journeys to South Bend, Indiana to face Notre Dame, it will be interesting to see if Marshall can consistently put up similar numbers on the ground for the best rushing team in the nation last year.

Only time will tell if Marcus Marshall can compare to Jonathan Dwyer, but this much is certain: Marshall is a dangerous weapon for the Ramblin’ Wreck to utilize in the coming season with his mix of speed and power. Pairing Marshall with quarterback Justin Thomas will have any defense quaking in their boots before they face the Jackets.

Next: Georgia Tech Crushes Alcorn State, 69-6

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