Trezmen Marshall 'feeling great' ahead of his first Alabama-Tennessee game

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Trezmen Marshall left Saturday’s game against Arkansas with bruised ribs, Alabama head coach Nick Saban said following the 24-21 win over the Razorbacks.

Three days after he sustained the injury, Marshall provided a positive update on his injury.

“I’m feeling great,” Marshall said Tuesday. “Just getting treatment and trying to heal up and get ready for this game.”

Marshall has started all seven of the Crimson Tide’s games at the Mike linebacker position and is currently second on the team in tackles with 40. He has also tallied 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks this year, his fifth at the college level after spending the last four at Georgia.

Last season, Marshall was part of a Bulldogs team that defeated Tennessee, 27-13, on Nov. 5, 2022, and limited the high-powered Vols offense to just 289 yards, including 195 through the air. Georgia’s defense sacked quarterback Hendon Hooker six times. Marshall recorded one of the sacks and was asked about beating a UT team that topped Alabama in 2022.

Has Marshall offered advice, or talked trash, to his new teammates about beating the Vols?

“Not really,” Marshall said. “We know what we’ve got to do. We treat every opponent the same, come in with enough mental intensity and mental focus and we’ll be alright. Just stack our days at practice and just come out ready to play and prepare the right way.”

Tennessee’s offense put up 567 yards and 52 points against Alabama last season, but a lot of the key contributors from last year’s team have moved on to the next level. This fall, the Vols have been more balanced, leaning on their run game, and lead the SEC in rushing yards per game (231.33) and yards per carry (5.88) through the first seven games in 2023.

“They’ve got a great offense,” Marshall said. “With a fast-paced offense, they’ll try to run, get us on our heels and then they’ll try to throw some shots in there. We’ve just got to stay on top of it. We’ve got a great D-line, and hopefully, we can contain them. I know we will contain them.”

Tuesday was Marshall’s first time speaking to reporters in the Naylor Stone Media Suite. He spoke after Alabama’s road win over Mississippi State, too, but stood behind a podium for this interview. In front of a room of local reporters, Marshall was asked about his transition to the Crimson Tide after four seasons of playing under Kirby Smart in Athens, Ga.

“I love it,” Marshall said. “I love Coach Saban. I love him. It’s crazy how much I love him. Just being here, I found that this is really a tradition. Like everything, there’s tradition, and I like that. I love that about this school.”

On Saturday, Marshall will get his first taste of the Alabama-Tennessee rivalry when the Vols travel to Tuscaloosa (2:30 p.m. CT on CBS). The Third Saturday in October received a jolt after Tennessee topped Alabama, 52-49, last year in Knoxville. With the Tide trying to get back in the win column, Marshall and many others are learning the game’s traditions.

“I just found out about the cigars like yesterday,” Marshall said. “I didn’t even know that was a thing, for real. I’m just ready to play. I’m not really worried about the outside noise. I’m worried about this team getting ready and getting ready to play that game. Cigars and all that is going to be great, but we’ve got to win this game. That’s what we’re focused on right now.”

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