Jackets’ leading rusher Marshall to transfer

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Marcus Marshall #34 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets carries the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 26: Marcus Marshall #34 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets carries the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Georgia Tech B-back Marcus Marshall will transfer at the end of the fall semester after his second season with the Yellow Jackets. Marshall led Tech in rushing yards last season as a freshman and again this season, but shared the job with freshman Dedrick Mills this season. He announced his decision on his Twitter account Wednesday morning.

“Just want to sincerely thank my teammates, Coach (Paul) Johnson and the coaching staff, and everyone else affiliated with GT for the opportunity to represent GT and for their support over the last 2 years,” Marshall wrote. “At this point, I have decided to move on from the GT football team and will be transferring in January to continue my academic and football career.”

Marshall will not play in Tech’s bowl game. Marshall will leave having shown some of his top form at the end of his two-year Tech career. Starting against Virginia Tech and Virginia in place of Mills, who was suspended, Marshall ran for 143 and 127 yards, respectively, and earned praise for his physical play. He has been at his best when getting the ball in space, where he could use his speed, such as his 81-yard touchdown reception to open the Vanderbilt game.

Marshall finishes the regular season with 624 rushing yards in 11 games. His 56.7 yards-per-game average is 12th in the ACC. He started six games, four when Mills was suspended or injured and the other two in the games immediately following.

Marshall has three seasons to complete his final two of eligibility. Were he to transfer to another FBS-level school, he would have to sit out one season. From Raleigh, N.C., Marshall picked Tech in January 2015 over Vanderbilt and Wake Forest.