Credit: Ken Sugiura
Credit: Ken Sugiura
TaQuon Marshall is unusual in at least one sense.
Growing up in Bulldog country in Harris County, just north of Columbus on the Alabama border, Marshall favored Georgia Tech, sort of.
“I really didn’t have a team growing up to root for, but I did like Georgia Tech because I always wanted to be an engineer,” the freshman A-back said. “I knew Georgia Tech was a great engineering school. Who would have thought, to this day, I’d be going to Georgia Tech?”
Harris will join the armada of A-backs enrolling in 2015, bolstering the ranks depleted by the graduations and a dismissal. As a senior, he was one of the top players in the state of Georgia. He passed for 1,376 yards and ran for 1,436 and accounted for 31 touchdowns. He was named first-team all-state for Class 5A as an athlete. He led the Tigers to a region championship and the second round of the state playoffs.
“I kind of see myself coming in and being able to get a chance to play since the position I’m coming in at is open,” Marshall said. “If they decide to redshirt me, I’d be completely fine.”
At 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Marshall is similar in stature to A-back Qua Searcy (5-11, 167). Broderick Snoddy is 5-9, 190. Isiah Willis is 5-9, 193. Clinton Lynch is 6-0, 181. B.J. Bostic played last season at 5-11 and 169. Tony Zenon was 5-8, 177. Charles Perkins was something of a behemoth at 6-0, 205.
“Really, all the A-backs are the same size,” Marshall said. “They’ve all got their touches of what they can do and attributes.”
The position won’t be entirely foreign to Marshall. Prior to playing quarterback as a junior and senior, Marshall played slot receiver as a sophomore.
“I’m familiar with catching the ball out of the backfield and running routes and stuff like that,” he said.
Harris had begun studying up on the position prior to his arrival at Tech last week. He had also been to multiple games last fall after committing over the summer and came up to watch spring practice.
“I know I’ve talked to some of the other guys,” Marshall said. “We’re really ready to come in and put in the work and get the system down as best we can. We know we’re going to have a young offensive backfield. We’re going to have to come in and kind of be prepared for what’s coming that’s new.”
About Marshall
1. Marshall picked Tech over Cincinnati. Proximity was one factor, as was Tech's academic strength.
“It was a win-win situation,” he said. “I know if I don’t make it to the next level, that I’ll come out of Georgia Tech with a high-grade education and I’ll be able to make something of myself.”
2. He said he plans to study business.
3. He will wear No. 16, which was worn last season by wide receiver Corey Dennis. "I'm kind of getting the feel of it," he said. "I like it."
4. Harris was one of five seniors off of Harris County's 2014 team that signed a Division I scholarship – running back Tae Crowder (Georgia), offensive lineman Nakia Grier (Indiana State), offensive lineman Blake Jones (Mercer), offensive lineman Tyler McGarr (Cincinnati) and Marshall.
5. Marshall's first name is pronounced tah-kwon.
New in ’15
1. Christian Campbell aims to succeed Justin Thomas
2. Tyler Cottrell brings threatening speed to A-back
3. Cooksey ready to make own legacy
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