MOBILE, Ala. — Nick Marshall, who nearly led Auburn to a national championship as a quarterback two years ago, said he went up to the Jacksonville Jaguars' coaching staff before the first Senior Bowl practice and told them he wanted to play cornerback.
Simple as that. No urging from his agent, or family members. No second-guessing. He just woke up a quarterback, weighed in Tuesday morning as one and was listed on the Reese's Senior Bowl roster as one and ended the day as a defensive back.
No looking back.
"It's something I told the coaches I wanted to do before practice, and they said OK," Marshall said. "I believe that's the position I have the best chance at in the NFL."
Marshall led Auburn to wins in 20 of 27 games and came within a few minutes of knocking off Florida State for the 2013 championship. He was an ace runner and thrower in the Tigers' spread-option attack, though Marshall lacked ideal NFL measurables at 6-1 and 205 pounds.
In fact, his Auburn coaches — including head coach Gus Malzahn himself — pounded on the table of the Senior Bowl committee to let Marshall attend the game as a QB. So the switch came as a bit of a surprise to the Jaguars coaches and the Senior Bowl folks, who respected Marshall's wishes but had to act fast to find a replacement. He took the field wearing a QB jersey before disrobing and switching to a generic Senior Bowl shirt with no uniform number.
The move left the South team with only two quarterbacks for Tuesday's practice — Colorado State's Garrett Grayson and Alabama's Blake Sims — and forced a call to the bullpen, with Southeast Louisiana's Bryan Bennett being sent in. Barrett, who once backed up Marcus Mariota at Oregon, was not in Louisiana; he was actually out in San Diego training, so the logistics were a bit thornier.
"He made a decision for what he had to do, and I can't get mad at him for that," said Sims, who earned a few extra reps because of the switch.
Marshall knows he might have burned a bridge or two with his switch. But he feels it gives him the best chance to compete in the NFL.
"It's a change, definitely," Marshall said, "but I am a competitor and I am ready to compete."
The position is not entirely foreign to him. After playing corner and QB in high school, Marshall started his college career playing cornerback as a freshman at Georgia before transferring to Garden City Community College after beign caught stealing from a teammate. Marshall switched to QB there and scored 37 touchdowns — 19 rushing, 18 passing — in 11 games before ending up at Auburn.
Marshall got in trouble again, this time before the 2014 season, cited for marijuana possession and being benched for the first half of the season opener. So not only is Marshall changing positions, one he hasn't played in three years, but also faces character questions from NFL brass.
It's an uphill climb, but one Marshall says he's ready for.
"I know I have a lot of work to do," he said.
That was clear in Tuesday's practice. He was beaten a few times — once wickedly by Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett — and was third in the pecking order in terms of practice reps in what looks to be a so-so cornerback crop down in Mobile.
Auburn teammate Sammie Coates excused himself for laughing when he saw Marshall, who threw him passes in college, covering receivers in practice.
"I was like, man, what's my quarterback doing over there? He's in the wrong spot!" Coates said. "But if there's anyone who can do it, it's Nick. We're extremely tight, and I know he has trust and faith he can make this change."
"It's going to be hard, but after a few days I hope I can get more comfortable over there," Marshall said.
And, just so you know, this is it. As far as Marshall is concerned, he has thrown his last pass. He's now a cornerback — by hook and by crook — from here on out. If he makes it in the NFL, that's the position he'll do it at.
Marshall said he never considered playing any other offensive position, but he did say that the Jaguars staff does plan to feature him on special teams, maybe kick or punt return. He was one of the most dangerous players in college football the past two seasons with the ball in his hands, so the move is a shock. But he's confident he has what it takes.
"I like my chances," he said. "It's a challenge, but it's a position I know. I think it's going to come back to me."
Look at those physical measurements again. Small for quarterback, in this case, means just fine — even above average — for cornerback. Marshall also feels that playing quarterback has allowed him to see the game differently the past three seasons, giving him a new perspective on defense.
"I understand the route combinations better now," Marshall said. "I know the passing game better."
How much NFL itnerest will there be in Marshall? Tough to say.
"I haven't seen him yet," Senior Bowl director Phil Savage said. "I want to see how his speed translates, too. What his 40 [yard dash] will be, how fast he can run. He has the skills to do it."
Right now, Marshall said he's eager to watch the tape of Tuesday's practice and "see what I messed up on," so as to get better. After all, it's Day 1 (Part 2) of his new career.
"I'm just excited to see how I do," he said.
So are a lot of other people, considering just how rare this particular position switch happens to be.
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm
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