Keith Marshall: Wise to Enter Draft a Year Early?

Keith Marshall announced Tuesday that he will forgo his final year of eligibility with the Georgia Bulldogs to enter the 2016 NFL Draft. Is this wise of him?

Keith Marshall told Georgia Bulldogs HC Mark Richt that he will not opt for a medical redshirt season in 2016 and plans on entering the 2016 NFL Draft, per Athens Banner Herald’s Marc Weiszer.

Marshall came to UGA as the number five overall prospect in the 2012 High School Graduating Class, as a 5-Star tailback out of Raleigh, North Carolina. His commitment to the University of Georgia helped bring in St. Louis Rams star RB Todd Gurley to Athens, who was a 3-Star at the time in Tarboro, North Carolina.

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Though he and Gurley formed the “Gurshall 3-4” backfield for the 12-2 2012 Georgia Bulldogs, Marshall had two injury plagued seasons in 2013 and 2014. He tore his ACL up in Knoxville versus the Tennessee Volunteers in 2013 on a hospital pass from QB Aaron Murray. Marshall missed the rest of 2013 and barely made it into any games in 2014.

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With his knee injury being so bad, Keith Marshall would have certainly been awarded another year of eligibility had he wanted it in 2016. However, seeing both Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb suffer similar ligament tears in their knees in less than a year, he is probably making the best decision for him to enter the 2016 NFL Draft.

Running back is one of those positions where it doesn’t make sense for a player to wait to turn pro, since the physical pounding required of playing running back takes a toll. There are only so many hits a tailback can take before he is ineffective. Very rarely do we see running backs do much of anything at the professional level past the age of 28.

While Keith Marshall’s career numbers at the University of Georgia and his string of nagging injuries probably won’t help his draft stock, perhaps it is wise for him to try his luck in the NFL. Though he may not even get his name called in the 2016 NFL Draft, I’d be okay with seeing Keith Marshall pursue his dream of playing in the National Football League.

Since he has been a student the University of Georgia since Fall of 2012, Keith Marshall is probably very close to graduating from Georgia, if he hasn’t already. It seems like even if he doesn’t get drafted, he will get an opportunity to compete for a roster spot in the NFL, as the league is always at a shortage for running back talent.

Even if he doesn’t make any of the 32 53-man rosters, somebody should have room for him on a practice squad. He may even benefit from not playing football for a year, learning his new teams playbook and getting his body ready for the 2017 NFL Season.

The clock is certainly ticking on Keith Marshall’s time to make a name for himself as an NFL running back. His collegiate career was unfortunately marred by injuries, so a new start with a new team is probably the best thing for him.

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I’ll always remember his blazing speed he showcased during his freshman year. Keith Marshall’s wish to get back on the gridiron after most of us would have probably given up is a testament to his work ethic and his drive to not let his team down. I hope that the NFL is kinder to him than Neyland Stadium’s turf was.

Best of luck playing on Sundays. Here’s to three more great games out of Keith Marshall in the Red and Black. Go Dawgs!