Keith Marshall’s great 40-yard dash time at the Scouting Combine didn’t result in a bump up in his draft stock. Nonetheless, the former UGA running back was chosen by the Washington Redskins in the seventh round at pick No. 242.
Marshall is being drafted on his potential — and his combine performance in February — not his on-field production at Georgia the last few seasons. But that wasn’t his fault.
The former five-star prospect tore his ACL as a sophomore in the fifth game the 2013 season. Before the injury, Marshall had gained 1,005 yards rushing and 212 receiving, scoring 11 touchdowns and averaging 6.2 yards per touch. And that was playing behind Todd Gurley.
Marshall had an abbreviated return in 2014, returning before his knee was fully healed. Last season, he played in 11 games, rushing for 350 yards and three touchdowns and averaging 5.9 yards per touch. It was a mystery why he wasn’t used more, especially after starting running back Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending injury.
It surprised some when Marshall opted not to exhaust his final year of college eligibility — he was eligible for a medical redshirt in 2014, but didn’t pursue it. Marshall felt mentally ready to pursue an NFL career, and used the combine to show why he had been so highly recruited coming out of high school.
Marshall recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time for a tailback, and also did well in other drills. Now, he’ll have a chance to prove the doubters wrong.