Devon Marshall: "Success Is An ACC Championship"

NC State cornerback Devon Marshall recently met with the media to discuss his position group, fall camp, the Wolfpack's defense, and much more.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from last year? 
The biggest thing I've learned, I mean I just feel like last year I just got used to how to play like in this league, so I'm just ready to take what I learned last year and just take it to the next level for this year. 

The secondary is going to look a lot different this season, losing a lot of guys; who is standing out? Who do you think could really make an impact alongside you?
Standing out, I'd say Jamel Johnson, Brian Nelson, who are all going to be playing corner this year. And I like Jaren and Vick on any side, so I think this group is going to exceed last year's group, I think. Getting the ball. 

And then bringing a guy like Brian, how much does that help kind of push you along, you know, this offseason, having him right there with you? 
Yeah, I mean it's definitely competitive, having him there and he's pushing me, I'm pushing him. So we're all just trying to push each other and get better. 

You're the veteran this year in the DB room, what's that like? 
It's different, like as soon as this season, last season ended, I was put into a whole new role to lead this group and it's been fun, I feel like I've been doing my job, trying to get the secondary together, go out and just come closer and it's working, I feel like we're a good group. 

How are things different under DJ Eliot than they were last year? 
This defense I think is way more versatile, we're showing different looks and we're going to be able to do a lot of different things under Coach Eliot. 

We knew his background was being a tempo and being able to build up the Eagles, now how does that kind of resonate with you? 
I mean, he has a lot of experience being with the Eagles, he's been with the, he coached a lot of NFL guys, so he's seen a lot and he's taken a lot of the stuff that he's seen and every meeting that we have with him, he's given us like new details that we can take into the game at practice. 

Where do you think you've grown the most since last year coming into the offseason?
Grown, I would say definitely like leading, leading the team and just, I think everywhere, I mean just, I like to look at everything I did wrong last season and everything I felt like I was, I needed to work on, I worked on. 

What's your leadership style look like? 
My leadership style, I mean it's more just trying to bring everyone together, I'll call people out if I have to, but I'm not really, I'm not going to scream at nobody, it's more passive leader I would say, I'm not going to go at nobody. 

What does success look like to you for the season?
Success is an ACC championship and having the best defense in the country. 

Do you think the back four, back five can be elite like that? 
Yes. 

What are some of the traits that lead you to believe that? What are some of the traits that lead you to believe that? 
I feel like we're all ball hawks, we all get the ball, like you've seen like Jamel had, he got the ball out of his old school, Brian did, I did, and I feel like we're just ball hungry, we all got a chip on our shoulder and we got a whole lot to prove.People are doubting us and they shouldn't, we're going to show that. 

Devon, what have been some of the memorable moments so far in practice as far as some highlights that stick out in your mind? 
Memorable moments, I don't really know, I mean there's been, they haven't really been throwing the ball at me, but I would say defense has been getting to it, we've been getting to it, we've been moving fast, I like the whole defensive line and the linebackers that we brought in, they're fast, they're physical, so I like that. 

What have those battles been like with the receivers so far? 
They've been, we've been battling it out, I feel like the DB's have been winning those. 

You talked about having a chip on your shoulder, where does that come from, kind of just having something to feel committed to? 
I've had a chip on my shoulder my whole life, I've always been under-recruited, I've always been doubted on, and I've always had to prove people wrong, there's no difference this season, and I've always been able to do that, to prove people wrong, so I'm excited for this season.