Jalin Marshall heard all the critics, but knew in his heart he made the right decision.
"I don't know if it would have been any different for me, but I know in the past, the players that I've talked to that wanted to leave and had the opportunity to leave but came back, it was miserable," Marshall said at the NFL Combine in February. "Not wanting to go to class, not doing the stuff that you have to do but you don't want to do because you think you already made it."
In his own head, Marshall knew he would be doing himself and his teammates a disservice if he came back to Ohio State for another season but wanted to be at the next level. He isn't regarded as a top wide receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft class, but felt he did enough in two seasons in Columbus to show he can hang with the big boys.
Marshall served as Ohio State's primary punt returner in 2015 after ultimately taking the job from Dontre Wilson the year before. He saved his team against Indiana in 2014, scoring four straight touchdowns (including a 54-year punt return to put the Buckeyes out front) to help punch Ohio State's ticket to the Big Ten Championship Game. Marshall averaged 13.5 yards per punt return last season, and a fourth of his 28 attempts went for more than 20 yards.
The Middletown, Ohio, native fit perfectly at H-back in Urban Meyer's offense and blossomed in the latter stages of 2014 when the Buckeyes won the national championship. Marshall converted third downs from Cardale Jones times against Alabama and Oregon numerous times, returned punts and also took the ball on sweeps.
Its that versatility that the former five-star prospect said he sold to teams both at the combine and in the pre-draft process. His penchant to make guys miss and explode up field as a punt returner is likely what will earn him a spot in the NFL, and Marshall knows it.
"I've said that a lot," he said at the combine. "I feel like I can go play returner and also can go run down and there be a gunner if I need to. I can play running back, wide receiver, slot, whatever they need me to do I'll make sure to do it to the best of my abilities."
What NFL teams need help at punt returner or in the slot? Here are five.
Atlanta Falcons
Where They're Picking: First Round (17th overall), Second Round (50th overall), Third Round (81st overall), Fourth Round (115th overall), Seventh Round (238th overall)
Breakdown: The Falcons finished 23rd in the NFL last season in punt return yardage, due in large part to Devin Hester only appearing in five games because of foot and toe injuries. Hester is arguably the top return specialist in the NFL history, with 20 return touchdowns (14 punt, five kickoff, one missed field goal) in his career. So if he is 100 percent after offseason surgery, he'll have the job in Atlanta. However, Marshall makes sense for the Falcons because Hester is a free agent following 2016. Marshall's quick change of direction and ability to work in small creases does not compare to Hester, but he could fall in line with the Falcons' special teams plan once the 33-year-old's contract expires. Plus, Marshall is continuing to develop as a wide receiver.
Cincinnati Bengals
Where They're Picking: First Round (24th overall), Second Round (55th overall), Third Round (87th overall), Fourth Round (122nd overall), Fifth Round (161st overall), Sixth Round (199th overall), Seventh Round (245th overall)
Breakdown: The Bengals hosted Marshall for a workout April 19, with the return game as a primary subject. Cincinnati used both Adam "Pacman" Jones and Brandon Tate as their primary returners in 2015, but the latter is a free agent after this season and the former is 32 years old. Jones is still a solid cornerback, so relieving some stress from him in the return game appears to be a point of emphasis for the Bengals. Marshall can do that and would feel comfortable in the Queen City having gone to high school not even 40 miles north in Middletown. Cincinnati also lost gadget receiver Mohamed Sanu to free agency. Could they see Marshall as a replacement? The Bengals have no doubt paid attention to the Ohio State wide receivers in this year's draft.
New England Patriots
Where They're Picking: Second Round (60th overall, 61st overall), Third Round (91st, 96th overall), Sixth Round (196th overall, 204th overall, 208th overall, 214th overall, 221st overall), Seventh Round (243rd overall, 250th overall)
Breakdown: Marshall is a slippery, shifty receiver with good enough hands to make an impact in the slot. He did that at Ohio State, those his almost felt forgotten about last season due to so many weapons on offense. Tom Brady makes a living owning defenses by putting them in bad situations against the talent he has on offense like Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski and in the past Wes Welker. Could Bill Belichick pull the trigger and grab Marshall with one of New England's seven picks in the final two rounds? Marshall said recently he's heard from the Patriots often in the pre-draft process, and there is no doubt they would find a use for him if he proved worthy in multiple facets of the game.
Minnesota Vikings
Where They're Picking: First Round (23rd overall), Second Round (54th overall), Third Round (86th overall), Fourth Round (121st overall), Fifth Round (160th overall), Sixth Round (180th overall), Seventh Round (240th overall, 244th overall)
Breakdown: The Vikings finished in the top half of the league a year ago in punt return yards and Marcus Sherels even took one back for a touchdown against Chicago. But Teddy Bridgewater desperately needs more playmakers to pair with Adrian Peterson, so Minnesota could pair Marshall with Stefon Diggs, Jarius Wright and others to compete for playing time at wide receiver. Marshall is an interesting prospect because his skill set is rated so differently by so many people. Minnesota will look for receivers early in the draft, but could swing back and grab another in Marshall in the sixth or seventh round.
San Diego Chargers
Where They're Picking: First Round (third overall), Second Round (35th overall), Third Round (66th overall), Fourth Round (102nd overall), Fifth Round (175th overall), Sixth Round (179th overall, 198th overall), Seventh Round (224th overall)
Breakdown: The Chargers finished dead last in punt return yards in 2015, with no true guy at the position. Enter Marshall, who was the unquestioned lead punt returner for Ohio State the last two seasons once he won the job. The NFL requires players who can start and stop on a dime and find space quickly to get yards. Marshall does that and follows his blocks well on special teams. The Chargers have three picks in the final two rounds of the draft, so them turning to Marshall with one of those is a possibility.
Honorable Mention: Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders
