The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Learn to Run Backwards: TD Marshall’s Football Journey
3/29/2021 3:01:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – Cornerback TD Marshall has notched All-Conference USA accolades in each of his two seasons on the field for the Green and Gold. The redshirt senior made the decision to return for the Blazers in 2021 and is poised for a lockdown season as part of an experience-laden UAB secondary.
The local product made the decision to play on the offensive side of the ball as an eighth grader at Leeds Middle School, finding himself on the gridiron as both a wideout and running back.
"Starting out in eighth grade, I was debating whether I wanted to play on the middle school team or if I wanted to play up," Marshall said. "Coach (Keith) Etheredge allowed me to play both. Some days, I would play receiver and running back for the middle school team. During the JV games, I would play receiver too."
The next season, as a freshman in high school, Marshall was given the chance that he wanted: a chance to play quarterback for the Green Wave.
"It wasn't until after that season that he decided to let me play quarterback one game," Marshall said. "We were winning, and after he let me play quarterback that one game, that is when it took off. The rest of my high school career, I was playing quarterback."
As a senior in high school in 2015, Marshall led Leeds to the 4A State Championship Game, a 55-7 victory over Fayette County, its second consecutive AHSAA title. Leeds won each game en route to the championship by at least 28 points, the closest a 48-20 win over Munford in the state semifinal.
Originally a Tennessee commit, Marshall made the decision to stay in Birmingham and play at nearby Samford University, the same school his father attended and graduated from. Marshall played wide receiver for the Bulldogs in 2016 and 2017, playing in 23 games over the two seasons and hauling in four touchdown catches.
Following the 2017 season, Marshall knew it was time for a move.
"I realized that I got too used to an environment too fast," Marshall said. "I got comfortable, and when I get comfortable, I don't do well. I needed to move. Coach Clark was the first option that made sense."
After walking on and redshirting in 2018, Marshall earned a scholarship and a spot on the roster in 2019. There was just one difference, though. Instead of playing on the offensive side of the ball like he had since eighth grade, Marshall was slotted as a defender and would play cornerback for the Blazers.
"It was hard, but not hard because I wanted to play offense," Marshall said. "It was hard because I had never played defensively on this level. I had to learn how to run backwards and learn everything that comes with running backwards. Especially with this being a heavy man team, it was hard at the beginning."
In 2019, Marshall tallied 28 tackles and seven pass breakups en route to Honorable Mention All-Conference USA honors. And, with the Conference USA West Division title on the line at North Texas on Nov. 30, Marshall made, perhaps, the biggest play of his career.
Down 21-20 with seconds to go in the third quarter, Marshall picked off all-conference quarterback Mason Fine and returned the interception 76 yards to seal the Blazer victory.
"Before that play, one of the coaches was saying, 'There's a pick coming from somebody,' Marshall said. "Me being me, I have never been one to cut a game into situations. I just go out there and play. For me to get that pick, I can't explain the feeling. It was weird, but I liked it."
After claiming the West title in 2019, Marshall was back for more as a redshirt senior in 2020, playing a major part in UAB's second C-USA championship in three seasons. Marshall started all nine games for the Blazers last season and had 25 tackles on the year, in addition to a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
Thanks to a shortened season and the NCAA granting an extra year of eligibility to seniors due to COVID-19, Marshall will be making a final stand in collegiate football in 2021. The high school quarterback turned collegiate wide receiver looks to build off two straight seasons as an all-conference performer. He's still hungry.
"Every year, you have to go up," Marshall said. "The standard that I have set for myself is All-American. That's the top, so that is what I am aiming for."
And, he will have a chance to do it on a new home field, as UAB opens its home schedule against Liberty on Oct. 2 for the inaugural season at Protective Stadium, something that Marshall never thought he would have the chance to do.
"Last year, the seniors made jokes that we would not be able to play in it," Marshall said. "We were all going to come back to the first game. Now, we get to play there. It was going to be special to just walk into that place, but now that we are actually playing, it's even better. Somebody will have a record in that stadium. Somebody will be the first person to record a stat in that stadium. It is monumental."
Marshall and the Blazers are currently in the middle of spring practice in preparation for the upcoming season. The Green and Gold will host the annual Pepsi Spring Game on April 10 at Historic Legion Field. Tickets to the 2021 UAB Football Pepsi Spring Game are complimentary thanks to the presenting sponsor Pepsi. Tickets will be available the day of the game at Legion Field, or fans can call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1.
For season ticket information and the Letter of Intent for 2021 season tickets at Protective Stadium, click here.
Individual seat selection times will be distributed by email on Monday, April 12, to those who have made commitments prior to the April 1, 2021 priority seat deadline. Fans will select their specific season ticket and parking locations at Protective Stadium beginning April 19. Payments for the 2021 season, including those by mail, must be received on or before the April 1 deadline to count towards the 2021 UAB Football priority seat selection at Protective Stadium.
For more information about the UAB football program, follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram (@UAB_FB).
The local product made the decision to play on the offensive side of the ball as an eighth grader at Leeds Middle School, finding himself on the gridiron as both a wideout and running back.
"Starting out in eighth grade, I was debating whether I wanted to play on the middle school team or if I wanted to play up," Marshall said. "Coach (Keith) Etheredge allowed me to play both. Some days, I would play receiver and running back for the middle school team. During the JV games, I would play receiver too."
The next season, as a freshman in high school, Marshall was given the chance that he wanted: a chance to play quarterback for the Green Wave.
"It wasn't until after that season that he decided to let me play quarterback one game," Marshall said. "We were winning, and after he let me play quarterback that one game, that is when it took off. The rest of my high school career, I was playing quarterback."
As a senior in high school in 2015, Marshall led Leeds to the 4A State Championship Game, a 55-7 victory over Fayette County, its second consecutive AHSAA title. Leeds won each game en route to the championship by at least 28 points, the closest a 48-20 win over Munford in the state semifinal.
Originally a Tennessee commit, Marshall made the decision to stay in Birmingham and play at nearby Samford University, the same school his father attended and graduated from. Marshall played wide receiver for the Bulldogs in 2016 and 2017, playing in 23 games over the two seasons and hauling in four touchdown catches.
Following the 2017 season, Marshall knew it was time for a move.
"I realized that I got too used to an environment too fast," Marshall said. "I got comfortable, and when I get comfortable, I don't do well. I needed to move. Coach Clark was the first option that made sense."
After walking on and redshirting in 2018, Marshall earned a scholarship and a spot on the roster in 2019. There was just one difference, though. Instead of playing on the offensive side of the ball like he had since eighth grade, Marshall was slotted as a defender and would play cornerback for the Blazers.
"It was hard, but not hard because I wanted to play offense," Marshall said. "It was hard because I had never played defensively on this level. I had to learn how to run backwards and learn everything that comes with running backwards. Especially with this being a heavy man team, it was hard at the beginning."
In 2019, Marshall tallied 28 tackles and seven pass breakups en route to Honorable Mention All-Conference USA honors. And, with the Conference USA West Division title on the line at North Texas on Nov. 30, Marshall made, perhaps, the biggest play of his career.
Down 21-20 with seconds to go in the third quarter, Marshall picked off all-conference quarterback Mason Fine and returned the interception 76 yards to seal the Blazer victory.
"Before that play, one of the coaches was saying, 'There's a pick coming from somebody,' Marshall said. "Me being me, I have never been one to cut a game into situations. I just go out there and play. For me to get that pick, I can't explain the feeling. It was weird, but I liked it."
After claiming the West title in 2019, Marshall was back for more as a redshirt senior in 2020, playing a major part in UAB's second C-USA championship in three seasons. Marshall started all nine games for the Blazers last season and had 25 tackles on the year, in addition to a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
Thanks to a shortened season and the NCAA granting an extra year of eligibility to seniors due to COVID-19, Marshall will be making a final stand in collegiate football in 2021. The high school quarterback turned collegiate wide receiver looks to build off two straight seasons as an all-conference performer. He's still hungry.
"Every year, you have to go up," Marshall said. "The standard that I have set for myself is All-American. That's the top, so that is what I am aiming for."
And, he will have a chance to do it on a new home field, as UAB opens its home schedule against Liberty on Oct. 2 for the inaugural season at Protective Stadium, something that Marshall never thought he would have the chance to do.
"Last year, the seniors made jokes that we would not be able to play in it," Marshall said. "We were all going to come back to the first game. Now, we get to play there. It was going to be special to just walk into that place, but now that we are actually playing, it's even better. Somebody will have a record in that stadium. Somebody will be the first person to record a stat in that stadium. It is monumental."
Marshall and the Blazers are currently in the middle of spring practice in preparation for the upcoming season. The Green and Gold will host the annual Pepsi Spring Game on April 10 at Historic Legion Field. Tickets to the 2021 UAB Football Pepsi Spring Game are complimentary thanks to the presenting sponsor Pepsi. Tickets will be available the day of the game at Legion Field, or fans can call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1.
For season ticket information and the Letter of Intent for 2021 season tickets at Protective Stadium, click here.
Individual seat selection times will be distributed by email on Monday, April 12, to those who have made commitments prior to the April 1, 2021 priority seat deadline. Fans will select their specific season ticket and parking locations at Protective Stadium beginning April 19. Payments for the 2021 season, including those by mail, must be received on or before the April 1 deadline to count towards the 2021 UAB Football priority seat selection at Protective Stadium.
For more information about the UAB football program, follow the Blazers on Twitter and Instagram (@UAB_FB).
Players Mentioned
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