Malachi Marshall Brings Creativity, Competitive Fire to Florida State QB Room
Florida State is adding a quarterback with some serious juice to the room. Malachi Marshall, a JUCO standout with a live arm and a flair for improvisation, is the kind of player who makes you sit up when the ball leaves his hand. He’s not a finished product yet, but the tools are there-and they’re intriguing.
Marshall’s journey to Tallahassee has already taken a few turns, and each stop has added something to his game. Now, he arrives at FSU with a national championship under his belt and a reputation for making things happen when plays break down.
Let’s break down what the Seminoles are getting-and why Marshall could be more than just depth at the position.
A Look at the Resume
Marshall is listed at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds-on the leaner side for a Power Five quarterback, no doubt. But he’s been productive everywhere he’s gone.
He played his high school ball at South Pointe in Rock Hill, S.C., just outside of Charlotte. Over his final two seasons there, he threw for more than 4,100 yards and accounted for 36 total touchdowns. That earned him a shot at the FCS level, where he landed at Stony Brook.
As a true freshman in 2024, he saw limited action-six games, 59-of-120 passing (49.1%) for 814 yards, one touchdown and two picks. He also chipped in 115 rushing yards on 35 carries. It wasn’t eye-popping, but it was enough to show he belonged on the field.
Then came the leap to the JUCO ranks, and that’s where things really took off.
At Iowa Western Community College this past season, Marshall took over as the starter and didn’t look back. He led the Reivers to a national title, throwing 33 touchdowns to just eight interceptions while completing 62% of his passes.
That’s in a system that consistently pushes the ball downfield-no dink-and-dunk here. He was named a JUCO All-American and the national offensive player of the year.
In the title game, he tossed three touchdowns to avenge Iowa Western’s only loss of the season, which came earlier against Hutchinson C.C.
That kind of production, combined with his arm talent, has FSU betting on upside.
What He Does Well
Marshall’s biggest weapon is his arm. He’s got a high release and can whip the ball with velocity across the field.
On intermediate routes, he delivers with real zip, and he doesn’t need perfect mechanics to get it there. Even when he’s off-platform, he can push the ball vertically and hit tight windows, particularly in RPO concepts.
But it’s not just about arm strength-Marshall can throw on the move, and that might be his top trait right now. He’s poised when rolling out, keeps his eyes downfield, and shows the ability to make accurate, on-the-run throws. That’s a skill that doesn’t always show up in the box score, but it’s critical for modern quarterbacks, especially in broken-play situations.
He also shows good accuracy overall, particularly when attacking soft spots in zone coverage. His quick-torque release allows him to beat defenses before they can react.
Where He’ll Need to Grow
Size is going to be the first question. At 170 pounds, Marshall doesn’t have the frame to absorb a ton of contact, especially against Power Five defensive fronts. Interior pressure could be a challenge-getting the ball over taller linemen and staying upright through big hits will be something to monitor.
While he moves well in the pocket, he’s more quick than fast. He’s not going to be a true dual-threat quarterback, and his running ability is limited outside of designed rollouts or scrambles.
There’s also the matter of the jump in competition. After stops at the FCS and JUCO levels, the ACC is a different animal.
And as a third-year player, the clock is already ticking a bit in terms of development. He’s got upside, but there’s some volatility in his game-he’ll need to prove he can settle in against top-tier defenses.
In the JUCO national title game, he eventually found his rhythm, but early on he was clearly amped up-firing fastballs on short throws and playing a little too fast. That’s part of the learning curve, but it’s something he’ll need to iron out if he wants to push for a starting job down the line.
How He Fits at Florida State
Marshall’s not a prototypical Gus Malzahn quarterback-at least not the kind we’ve seen thrive in that system. Malzahn’s offenses tend to hum with a QB who’s a legit threat in the run game, and Marshall isn’t quite that.
But here’s the thing: he runs to pass, and he does it well. His ability to extend plays and stretch the field vertically could unlock some of the more aggressive passing concepts in Malzahn’s playbook-especially if FSU has a strong running game to lean on.
He’s got a quick release, and that matters in this scheme. If the offensive line holds up and the ground game can keep defenses honest, Marshall could be the kind of QB who makes the most of defined reads and vertical shots.
Right now, he’s likely competing for the QB2 spot in 2026. But that competition will be valuable-not just for Marshall, but for the entire room. It’s a low-risk, high-reward move for FSU, and it gives them a chance to evaluate a player with real upside heading into 2027.
The Bottom Line
Marshall’s not a sure thing, but he’s an exciting addition. He’s got the arm talent, the improvisational instincts, and the championship pedigree from his JUCO run. The frame and the jump in competition are real concerns, but the raw ability is there.
If he can continue to refine his game and adjust to the speed and physicality of the ACC, there’s a path for him to become more than just a depth piece. The arm talent alone gives him a shot to start down the line.
Florida State didn’t just add a quarterback-they added a competitor. And that’s always a good thing in January.