The Dolphins selecting Miami native Jason Marshall Jr. in the 2025 NFL draft marked a homecoming for the cornerback. However, he spent the 2025-26 season away from his usual residence, at least on the gridiron.
The 6-foot cornerback has made his on-field home on the outside for much of his career, right up until his rookie season. He was moved to nickelback out of necessity with numerous injuries in the Dolphins' secondary. However, the slot is not where he's always been.
"That is my natural state, being on the outside," Marshall said this past week during minicamp.
Coming out of Miami Palmetto High School as a five-star recruit and the No. 2 cornerback in the country, Marshall went on to be a staple of the University of Florida's secondary through his four years with the Gators.
He started every game his sophomore and junior seasons, finishing with eight and 10 pass breakups, respectively. He continued on the same track in his senior campaign before suffering a shoulder injury about halfway through the season.
When healthy, he did most of his damage on the boundary, where he will return this season.
"Primarily he has and will be on the outside for us, and I think he's done a really good job," coach Jeff Hafley said, echoing his defensive assistants' statements from last month.
Holding down the position last season, and through taking some reps on the inside during the offseason, Marshall said he has grown more comfortable in the slot. His versatility proved beneficial, and he was able to make some impact despite being outside his comfort zone in his rookie year.
He stood out in the second-to-last game of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . He recorded two pass breakups and logged eight tackles and his first interception. His late-season breakout is one he will look to build on.
"I'm coming back with so much confidence," Marshall said. "Trusting in myself, believing in myself and just continue to work, that's the biggest thing."
He showed his elite pass breakup skills on Thursday at minicamp, the same skills that saw him lead UF in the category in 2022 and 2023.
In his second year, Marshall will compete for a starting spot. Familiar faces like JuJu Brents and Storm Duck each have experience at the position, and there is no shortage of new talent on the roster. 2026 first-round pick Chris Johnson, former Tennessee Titan Darrell Baker Jr. and fellow former Gator Marco Wilson all eye a first-string role.
"I think it's the same as a lot of guys," defensive coordinator Sean Duggan said. "They're working hard, they're being consistent every day and not making the same mistake twice."
Despite the position change, Hafley said from watching his tape he saw Marshall get better as last season went on. The new coach noted consistent improvement from the versatile cornerback in his first year.
Even from scouting him at UF while in Green Bay with the Packers , he took note of Marshall's physicality, instincts and capabilities downfield.
"I'm [a] 200-pound corner," Marshall said. "I like to be up in people's face, disrupt timing. That's the biggest thing. That's what coaches want to see nowadays."
As a former defensive backs coach, Hafley has worked a lot with the group. Marshall said it's great to have the coach over there with him, working specifically with his crew.
The relationship has progressed, as Marshall said Hafley is able to give him tips and pointers on how to adapt and better his game, and Hafley has taken note of the cornerback's receptiveness.
"I like his demeanor, I like the way he's gone about the offseason," Hafley said. "I'm excited about him as a player."
