The Florida vs Miami rivalry is one that dates back to 1938 with the two squads playing annually from 1944 until 1987. Florida last saw Miami in 2019, with the Gators coming out on top by a score of 24-20 in Orlando. The two schools are set to meet again in five days for the 57th time when the Canes travel to Gainesville in week one.
Florida’s staff does a good job of educating the team on important rivalries, which includes about an hour-long video presentation.
“I would say just the nastiness that both team have toward each other,” Marshall shared on what he learned from the Florida – Miami video. “There’s hate there, you know? At the end of the day they don’t like each other.”
This game means a little more to the fourth-year cornerback, who was born and raised in Miami and entertained the Hurricanes throughout his high school recruiting process.
“I think it’s very significant. Blessed to have this opportunity,” Marshall said on the significance of this game for him. “In my recruiting process, they were up there. Then just being from Miami, watching that team growing up, watching that organization, I feel like it’s good.”
Marshall and the rest of the Gators are amped up for the in-state rivalry game.
“The team is fired up right now,” Marshall said. “I’m fired up myself. It just brings out another type of energy when you know it’s game week.”
It’s an important year for Marshall, who is set to part take in his last season of eligibility and is looking to prove to NFL teams that he’s worthy of an early round draft pick in 2025.
“This is a contract year (smiling),” Marshall said. “But at the end of the day just going out there and proving myself right, that I put in all the work all the time to be in this spot, that’s pretty much the biggest thing.”
Marshall opened up about his struggles in 2023, claiming he lost his confidence midway through last season. The 6-0, 201-pound corner is feeling better than ever ahead of Florida’s week one matchup vs Miami.
“I feel like I got my confidence back,” Marshall said. “Just going through spring, fall camp, moving good, feeling good, my mental is good. Just having all of that back, I feel good.”
“I think Jason has taken a step forward as a leader,” head coach Billy Napier said on Marshall’s offseason progression. “I’m proud of him. I think he’s been more vocal. I think his practice habits have improved. I think Coach Harris has been good for Jason. I also joke with him all the time, it’s a contract year for him. “He’s back. I think he came back for a reason, not only to leave a better legacy at UF, but to increase value at the same time.”
Marshall will be a key part of Florida’s defense that’s looking to take a massive jump in year three under Billy Napier. The Gators can’t afford to trot out one of the worst defenses in college football again. Marshall doesn’t think that will be the case, though.
“I feel like the defense improved a lot. I’m excited for this year. I’m just at a loss for words, how much of a turnaround the defense has come from. I’m excited,” Marshall said
Marshall is projected to start alongside junior cornerback Devin Moore in week one.