Fresno State Athletics
Marshall Selected by Carolina in Second Round of NFL Draft
4/29/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 29, 2006
FRESNO, Calif. - Former Bulldog Richard Marshall made a difficult decision at the end of his junior season by electing to bypass his senior year and enter the ranks of professional football. That decision proved prudent Saturday when he was selected in the second round, the 58th overall pick, by the Carolina Panthers.
Marshall become the 13th player in the Pat Hill era to be drafted into the NFL. Under Hill, the Bulldogs have had 10 players drafted in the fourth round or better. That includes former NFL No. 1 overall pick David Carr of the Houston Texans and former All-American offensive lineman Logan Mankins, selected in the first round last year by the New England Patriots.
"I've very pleased for Richard," said head coach Pat Hill. "He was an exemplary student-athlete for us. Obviously he is a gifted football player and selected at a very high level. We wish him the best in his NFL career. It speaks volumes for the caliber of players we've produced here at Fresno State and it's always good to see a Bulldog drafted so high year after year."
Marshall, who excelled academically at Fresno State and will be honored at the Kiwanis Torch of Excellence Dinner for maintaining a 3.0 GPA. He set a school record and led the NCAA with 347 interception return yards after his junior season.
Marshall made an impact in his freshman season of 2003 when he intercepted a pass against No. 13 Tennessee and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown. A three-year starter, Marshall was one of the top cover cornerbacks in the nation and a vicious hitter, ranking among the team's top tacklers. During his career, he spearheaded a Bulldog defense that led the WAC in total defense and pass defense. Fresno State went to three consecutive bowl games and racked up wins over UCLA in the Silicon Valley Football Classic and Virginia in the 2004 MPC Computers Bowl.
Several other Bulldogs are projected to be selected when the NFL draft resumes Sunday with the fourth round. The draft will conclude Sunday afternoon when each team has completed seven draft rounds.
