Jan. 20, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - In 2008, UCF led Conference USA with 15 former players representing the university in the National Football League. Today, we look at Brandon Marshall.
In 2006, Marshall was drafted in the fourth round by the Denver Broncos. Appearing in 15 games his rookie year, Marshall caught 20 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns.
With Jay Cutler firmly entrenched at the quarterback position, Marshall and the former Vanderbilt star combined for 102 receptions for 1,325 yards and seven touchdowns in his sophomore campaign. The 102 grabs in 16 games ranked the former Knight fifth overall in the league in 2007.
Coming into the 2008 season, Marshall was now the No. 1 receiver on the roster and garnered coverage from some of the best defensive backs in the league. In his first appearance of the year on September 14, 2008, Marshall set a franchise record with 18 receptions in the Broncos' 39-38 victory over the San Diego Chargers. The 18 grabs also tied for the second-most receptions in NFL history in a single game. Marshall went on to finish the season recording 104 catches for 1,265 yards and six touchdowns.
The second-consecutive 100-reception season gave Marshall a starting spot on the AFC Pro Bowl team. This marks the first time in school history that UCF has had multiple alumni make the Pro Bowl in the same year (Asante Samuel of Philadelphia), and it is just the second time that UCF has had at least one Pro Bowl selection in consecutive seasons.
A former Lake Howell High School standout, Marshall began his UCF football career in 2002. In his junior season, Marshall was asked to move to safety after the third game of the season and went on to lead the team with 51 total tackles. Marshall's breakout campaign came in his senior season when he moved back to wide receiver and led the team with 74 receptions for 1,195 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Tomorrow we will look at UCF's all-time leading passer, Daunte Culpepper.