Interview: 4-Star 2022 WR Jadyn Marshall Athletic Talents Have to be Seen to be Believed
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
If ever there was someone who could play slap tag with the wind and win, it would be Jadyn Marshall. Marshall’s athleticism is off the charts as a three-sport standout in football, basketball, and track with college programs tracking his progress. The St. Mary’s standout has 10 offers on the table covering football and track with more to drop once the 2020 season gets going in California.
The ball of kinetic energy on the field during the 2019 season with the Rams was No. 2, even if he was not still long enough to make out the number. Applying his trade at receiver and return specialist, the Class of 2022 athlete took back nine kicks for 229 yards and seven punts for 208. Earning first team All-League and State at receiver, the 6-0, 185-pound, playmaker brought down 68 passes with only one drop for 1,128 yards reaching the end zone nine times and took 32 handoffs for 253 more yards posting five more scores on the big board. In all, Marshall earned four-star recruiting status by compiling over 1,800 all-purpose yards with 16 touchdowns scored.
Marshall’s speed and burst translate onto the field breaking ankles like a point guard with his change in direction, but it also paved the way as the No. 1 hurdler in the country in his class. The dynamics in football and track has him as a 10-offer dual-sport offeree.
In an RNG first-look, I was able to slow Marshall down long enough to get the inside scoop on his offseason workouts with a peak at his recruiting process.
Interview
Jadyn, your athleticism on the field is tremendous. How many varsity sports do you play?
I play three, track, football, and basketball.
Do you remember your averages in basketball?
I don’t, but I was one of the best defensive players in the state. My role on our team, I would clamp down on the other team’s best player. I earned All-League Defense for shutting down the best players in the country.
Going over to track, which events are you competing in there?
In the hurdles, the 300 and 110, the 400 – I am really good at the 400, and I am a high jumper. My coach will have me in sprints more this season. I will work on that.
What is your best time in the hurdles?
During my freshman year, only year I ran, I ran a 37.59 which was the No. 1 time in the country for a freshman. That was also the No. 2 time all-time in the state. I ran that time in the state prelims.
Nice. And what is your best 400 time?
My fastest 4×4 was 49 in Arcadia. In the open, I think it was 50.3.
How has the elite speed translated running a 40?
I ran a 4.53.
During your freshman year running track, how did that play out at the end of the season?
My freshman year, I went to nationals at Sac State where I won nationals. My brother (Jamar Marshall) and I went and did really well. I had a leading time 14.17, which was the fastest mark, and I was No. 1 in the 300 hurdles.
Back on the field, you must be one of the best conditioned players in the country keeping your speed and burst on offense and special teams for four quarters. During the season and throughout the offseason, how are you keeping your legs up for the heavy load on the gridiron?
To be honest, it has been different this year. When basketball season ended the virus began. Normally when that season ends, I go straight into track. But track cancelled this year. Over the summer, everything was closed, but then I got back into it. This summer I worked on football instead of working on track. I worked on my craft, my routes, and things I needed to get better at for football.
Going over 1,100 yards is an amazing feat. What was working for you last season allowing for the big production?
Last season I feel that after my first game verses Pitt everything changed for me. I had 12 catches for 239 yards with three touchdowns for a total of 365 yards. They kicked it to me twice early, and I almost returned one for a touchdown. After that game, the offense surrounded me. After that we got the passing game going and that opened up the running game. We did a lot of bubbles where I was one on one with the nickel. I’m guessing I had around 400 yards off bubbles last year.
Besides bubbles, what were some of the other routes you were running?
One of my favorites are corners and posts, those are my deadly routes. It is hard to stop me on those routes. That’s what killed people last year. Putting me one on one with the safety, and safeties are flat footed, I burn him every time.
Will the offense change once the 2020 season gets going?
This year we have more weapons than last year. Teams will probably start doubling me, but we have so many weapons. We have Nick Murray and Charles Jones, and we have sophomores coming up that will be on varsity that will be real threats. My coach is telling me they will move me around more so they do not key in on one spot.
Moving around on offense and on special teams, where all might you line up during the 2020 season?
I am supposed to play defense this year, either safety or corner, but I am not sure which yet. I can help our defensive backs this season. Coach and I have talked about me going both ways helping me with reps in practice. Right now, I am getting comfortable with everything. I am a vet on offense, I know the plays and the styles. Now it is about me developing as a person and a player.
How have you worked to improve upon the small details to your game over the summer and fall months?
Sometimes I don’t watch the ball fully into my hands. I only had one drop last season; I want zero drops this season. With my workouts I have been focusing on catching the ball, my routes, creating space, and going against better DBs who will make me run better routes so I have to get open using my technique. I have been learning how to get open being double teamed. It is a process, and a process I want to do. With my name buzzing, they will come for me this season. I have to be ready for it.
Once the new season begins, what goals have you set for yourself?
Right now, I was looking at old St. Mary’s information on season stats. I was 100 yards short of the single season record last year. This year, I want to get close to that again. I know I can get there.
The humblest of ways of saying you want the record (he laughs). I like it. Let’s get into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest ahead of the season?
Alabama, they are the biggest one right now, Notre Dame, Washington, Boise State, Fresno State, and Colorado are all showing interest.
How many offers do you have?
I have 10 offers.
Which programs were the last couple to offer?
UNLV and UCLA.
Marshall’s Offer Sheet: Arizona State, Auburn, California, Nebraska, Oregon, Oregon State, San Jose State, UCLA, UNLV, and USC
With your skills on the track, do you have any track offers?
All my football offers, they want me for track too.
Very cool. Jadyn, it was a pleasure covering ground with you today. I appreciate your time and wish you success as you continue to push your skills ahead of the 2020 season.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Marshall family; Jadyn Marshall