WATCH: NC State Senior CB Devon Marshall Embracing Leadership & A Chip on His Shoulder (with transcript)

Senior Cornerback Devon Marshall transferred to NC State prior to the 2024 season from Villanova, and began the year as a backup. After coming off the bench, Marshall ended up starting 5 of the last 8 games.

Marshall finished the season with 33 tackles, 7 pass breakups (2nd on the team) and 2 interceptions (tied for 2nd on the team).

He enters the 2025 season as 1 of the Wolfpack’s starting Cornerbacks, and he feels like he has a lot to prove in his final season of college ball. Marshall is not the Senior leader in the Cornerback room, and he believes the whole group possesses a chip on their shoulder, just like he always has.

Marshall met with the media this past week during the 2nd week of NC State’s 2025 Fall Camp. You can watch the video above, and read the transcript below.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned in the last year? 

I feel like last year, I got used to how to play in this league. So I’m ready to take what I learned last year, and take it to the next level this season.

Secondary is going to look a lot different this season, lost a lot of guys. Who is standing out? Who do you think could really make an impact? 

Standing out, I’d say Jamel Johnson and Brian Nelson II. We’re all going to be playing Corner this year.

And I like Jaren (Sensabaugh) and (Jackson) Vick in the inside. I think this group is going to exceed last year’s group, I think. Getting the ball.

Bringing in a guy like Brian, how much does that help push you along this offseason, having him right there with you? 

Yeah, I mean, it’s definitely competitive, having him there, just pushing me. I’m pushing him. So we’re all just trying to push each other and get better. 

You’re the veteran this year in the DB room. What’s that like? 

It’s different. As soon as last season ended, I was put into a whole new role to lead this group, and it’s been fun. I feel like I’ve been doing my job, trying to get the secondary together, go out and just come closer. It’s working. I feel like we’re a good group. 

How are things different under DJ Eiot than they were last year? 

This defense, I think, is way more versatile. We’re showing different looks, and we’re going to be able to do a lot of different things under Coach Eliot. 

How does his background at Temple and with the Philadelphia Eagles, resonate with you? 

He has a lot of experience being with the Eagles. He coached NFL guys, so he’s seen a lot.

He’s taken a lot of the stuff he’s seen, and every meeting that we have with him, he’s giving us new details we can take into the game or at practice. 

Where do you think you’ve grown the most since last year? 

I would definitely leading the team. I like to look at everything I did wrong last season, and everything I needed to work on, and I worked on it.

What’s your leadership style look like? 

My leadership style is trying to bring everyone together. I’ll call people out if I have to, but I’m not going to scream at nobody. I’m more of a passive leader, I would say.

I’m not going to go at nobody. 

What does success look like to you for this season? 

Success is ACC championship and having the best defense in the country. 

Do you think the back four, back five can be elite like that? 

Yes.

What are some of the traits that lead you to believe that? 

I feel like we’re all ball hawks. We all can get the ball.

Like you’ve seen, Jamel, he got the ball at his old school. Brian did. I did. I feel like we’re just ball hungry. We’ve all got a chip on our shoulder, and we got a whole lot to prove.

People are doubting us, and they shouldn’t. We’re going to show that. 

What have been some of the memorable moments so far in practice?

I don’t really know. They haven’t really been throwing the ball at me, but I would say defense has been getting to it. We’ve been getting to it, we’ve been moving fast.

I like the whole defensive line and the linebackers that we brought in. They’re fast. They’re physical, so I like that. 

What have those battles been like with the receivers so far? 

We’ve been battling it out. I feel like the DB’s have been winning also. 

You talked about having a chip on your shoulder. Where does that come from?

 I’ve had a chip on my shoulder my whole life. I’ve always been under-recruited. I’ve always been doubted. I’ve always had to prove people wrong. There’s no difference this season, and I’ve always been able to do that, to prove people wrong. So I’m excited for this season.