Villanova transfer DB Devon Marshall thrives in improving each day at NC State

College programs around the country get together over the offseason each year to learn from one another. NC State is no different and one of those programs was Villanova, which sent its defensive staff to Raleigh for a few days to learn Tony Gibson’s scheme. 

Well, as it turns out, that three- to four-day stretch with the Wildcats’ defensive staff paid off in the long run. Gibson and his staff were able to help Villanova’s staff learn the 3-3-5 defense that the Wolfpack use at an elite level — and it turned into a relationship that helped in the transfer portal. 

When Villanova lockdown cornerback Devon Marshall decided to jump in the transfer portal after a breakout sophomore campaign — 47 total tackles with 3.5 for a loss and 11 pass breakups — Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Ross Pennypacker called Gibson. 

“‘Here’s a guy that fits what you do,’” Gibson recalled Pennypacker telling him about Marshall. “’We’ll help all we can to get him to you guys.’”

Less than a month after that phone call, Marshall committed to the Wolfpack during his visit to Raleigh on Jan. 4. It seems like that phone call from Pennypacker worked out just fine.

The former FCS standout cornerback immediately strengthened the Pack’s secondary even more, and his arrival to NC State was a goal he had in mind. 

Out of Boston (Mass.) Catholic Memorial, Marshall thought he was a Power Five player, but he felt “underrecruited” and had a goal of playing at a high level to open the door for a bigger program to want him. His solid sophomore year did just that. 

“I went [to Villanova], I did what I had to do my first two years,” Marshall said Thursday. “I knew I was going to enter the portal this season. I had a goal in mind from the jump and I succeeded at the goal and I ended up here.”

Marshall chose NC State because he thought the Wolfpack defense would help him expand his game. He played primarily as an outside cornerback at Villanova, but he is more than capable of sliding to the inside, which he will do as a nickel at NC State. 

That versatility is what impressed Gibson during the portal process. 

“What I like about him [is] he can play nickel, he can play corner,” Gibson said. “He can play a lot of different things for us and he did that on film.”

Marshall welcomed the move to nickel with the Wolfpack. 

“I think it elevates my game, to be honest,” Marshall said. “I’m able to blitz now, use my speed more. I’ve always been able to cover the slot, as well as the outside, so I’m able to play inside and guard fast guys here like [Kevin “KC” Concepcion]. I’m able to elevate my game in the slot here.”

Yeah, about Concepcion. The ACC Rookie of the Year torched opposing defenses on the regular during his breakout freshman season, and now Marshall draws that matchup consistently in the slot during the Pack’s spring practices. 

Speed is the biggest adjustment moving from the FCS ranks to NC State, Marshall said. And the matchup against Concepcion is a key example in that.

“The first time I went against him, there’s no fake news about him,” Marshall said of Concepcion. “He’s fast, someone I had to adjust to every practice so far. He’s a fast receiver, fast slot guy. I had to get used to him, I’m still getting used to him, and just trying to learn off him to help me get better.”

Getting better is a key theme for Marshall. He improved his game throughout the season at Villanova to prove he was a power conference player. Marshall allowed 16 receptions for 182 yards on 30 targets through the first five weeks, according to Pro Football Focus, but he settled in after that. 

Marshall became a lockdown cornerback for the Wildcats and allowed just 11 receptions for 84 yards on 27 targets over the last eight contests. He also did not allow more than nine yards after the catch in any of the final eight games of the season, while he did not concede a touchdown at anypoint last fall.

His improvement was not coincidence, either. It was Marshall’s first year as a consistent starter and he grew through each experience. 

“I’m able to pick up and adjust to stuff quickly,” Marshall said. “I just got a feel for it. This was my first year actually starting and playing the whole season. Usually, after a game and practice, I get better and better every game. I’ve done that here, too. Every practice so far I’ve been getting better.”

Marshall is goal-oriented. He oozes confidence, too. He used both of those traits to get to NC State. And now, he has his sights set on the next step: the NFL. 

“That’s been the goal, I think about it every day,” Marshall said. “Coming here was just my next step. Just go against better players, faster players, surround myself with better guys so I can get there. The NFL has always been my goal.”

If Marshall continues the upward trajectory of his play, that goal may soon become a reality.