Looking ahead to the 2021 college football campaign there is a lot to be excited about as the sport seeks to return to some semblance of normalcy after a tumultuous 2020 campaign ravaged by the COVID pandemic.

For Florida fans, the coming season offers something of a mixed bag of expectations, as the team lost some significant members of its offensive juggernaut that helped them earn the Southeastern Conference East Division title. However, on the other side of the ball, a shoddy defensive corps that held the Gators back from achieving their full potential appears to be getting stronger, bringing hope to a program that some believe will have a “rebuilding” year this fall.

One of the brightest spots on UF’s roster heading into fall is cornerback Jason Marshall Jr., a true freshman who is expected to make an immediate impact on defense. Not only is he projected to bring some much-needed help to Florida’s secondary, he also appears to be one of the top members of his recruiting class according to 247Sports’ Chris Hummer, who published his 100 true freshmen who will impact the 2021 college football season on Friday.

Here is his ranking for Marshall and what he had to say about Florida’s newest star talent.

Jason Marshall, CB, Florida
247Sports Composite: No. 28

The word out of Gainesville on Marshall has been immensely positive. Marshall arrived at Florida with college-ready size at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, and he’s impressed since enrolling in January. He had a strong spring and is positioned to potentially start opposite Kaiir Elam or potentially compete for the starting nickel role. Either way, Marshall is a lock for the two-deep and will be one of the true freshmen to watch nationally much in the same way Elam was a few years ago. His fellow defensive backs are taking notice, too.

“Out of all the early enrollees I’ll say Jason Marshall,” replied junior safety Trey Dean when asked which freshman has impressed the most in the spring, per Swamp247. “Coming to workouts, being very consistent and just working to be the best player he can be, not only on the field, but off the field also.”

Paired with Elam in the secondary, Florida should have a much more formidable defensive back squad than last season, and perhaps the corps can regain the title of “Defensive Back U” for the fighting Gators.