Locked On Jayhawks - Daily Podcast On Kansas Jayhawks Football & Basketball - QB1 DEEP DIVE: How Has Isaiah Marshall Performed for Kansas | Should Jayhawk Commit to Him in 2027?

Starting point is 00:00:00 How good is A.M. Marshall been through seven games for KU. Is he showing signs of improvement? Is it enough for KU to feel like he should be the starter in 2027? We're going to break down his game so far, take a deep dive into what he's done to this point of the season. You are Locked on Jayhawks, your daily podcast on the Kansas Jayhawks. Part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day. What's up there, Johnson here? This is Locked on Jayhawks.

Starting point is 00:00:34 And on today's episode of the show, we're breaking down Isaiah Marshall's game to this point. Where is he shown improvement? What has he done this season, the good and the bad? And we'll get to that final question here of should KU plan on him being the starter for next year as well? Or should they be plans to do something in the transfer portal? Let's start here with the good and the bad. Let's start with the good. Because I think the challenging thing in evaluating and Isaiah Marshall so far is there are some

Starting point is 00:01:04 good positives and there were some really down negatives. It feels like there's a lot of stuff that's at the polar end of the spectrum and that maybe there's not as much just kind of, you know, relying in the middle. Here's some stats that are kind of more in the middle, but, you know, 61st percentile in EPA per rush for quarterbacks. Honestly, you would, you would hope that his running game would be even better than above average, but that's still a solid thing. Sixty-second percentile in yards per attempt for quarterbacks.

Starting point is 00:01:33 So again, that's above average. Also above average slightly in passing touchdowns and passing yards right now among quarterbacks. He's definitely somebody who's cool airing the ball out. And, you know, sometimes you get young quarterbacks in there who just want to check everything down. And it becomes a really boring way to play offense. And you're not really going to challenge some of the better teams that you're going to play. That's not the case for Isaiah Marshall, 96th percentile or higher in both. deep attempt rate and average depth of target.

Starting point is 00:02:07 So he's consistently unleashing the ball down the field. That is a good thing, right? I would rather, as you have a young quarterback, I'd rather try to rein him in than, you know, try to be working with somebody who never wants to take those risks. He's also number one in the country. And this kind of shows it in big time throws. Like he's had no problem.

Starting point is 00:02:29 Hey, my guy's in a one-on-one. My guy's in a tight situation. I'm going to give him a chance, especially knowing you've got some good receivers that can make those catches with Nick McMillan, Cam Pickett, Nasea Cox, number one in the country on pro football focus for quarterbacks in big time throws.

Starting point is 00:02:47 He's also done a really good job of avoiding sacks, 82nd percentile in pressure to sack rate among quarterbacks with 100 or more dropbacks. So what that means is how often are you getting sacked per pressure? And basically, that means that the less often you're getting sacked compared to the more often that you're getting pressured is an indication that you do a good job of either getting the ball out quickly or knowing when that pressure is coming, knowing where it's coming from, your ability to escape

Starting point is 00:03:20 the pocket, your ability to scramble. I will say there are times that Isaiah Marshall has maybe run himself out of the pocket and into pressure. So like, you know, you're creating your own issue there, But that does show that he's using his mobility in a positive way there. Now, what's been the bad so far for Isaiah Marshall? He is only in the 21st percentile in past EPA per play among 172 qualified FPS quarterbacks. And when you take into account the receivers they have, when you take into account Andy Kodlicki, scheming things up and guys open, should you expect to be better than in the 21st percentile past EPA per play?

Starting point is 00:04:00 I think you should. Now, those numbers have been getting. better as the season's gone on, but that's a fair criticism, right? And a big reason why has just been the lack of consistency. Marshall ranks in just the sixth percentile, sixth in completion percentage. And so there is like a fair argument to be had again, going back to the conversation I was saying, I'd rather have the guy that you're trying to rein in than the opposite. Is that not true in any code on the key offense? Would you rather have the guy who is willing to just take the checkdowns because you can assume Kodalnicki is going to scheme enough open to where that's actually going to be more productive.

Starting point is 00:04:37 I don't know if the answer is that, right? But the completion percentage is so down. And part of that, the completion percentage of being down is just he's throwing downfield more often. So obviously there's going to be less completions. But if you're averaging way more yards, you know, going downfield, then does it balance out? But the problem is when you're running into being off schedule and it's one of those things where it's like it can look great for a drive because you're hitting the downfields. But then maybe it's going to lead to a couple three outs, you know. He's also 117th in the country in interceptions, right?

Starting point is 00:05:08 So you're talking to more volatility that you're going to get the big plays. You're going to get some of the bust plays as well. And it hasn't just all been, you know, throwing interceptions at, I will say, he's probably got two or three this year on fourth down where it's like you got to throw it. But he is tied fourth in the country in turnover worthy throws, according to pro football focus. So like it's not like he's just been unlucky with the interceptions that a bunch are getting deflected and stuff. So it's a very volatile stat profile. So let's further continue on on this deep dive, get into where the ball is going for him, what has worked well, what hasn't worked well, and then we'll come to our conclusion.

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Starting point is 00:07:21 Well, what has gone well for Marshall to this point in time? Actually throws behind the line of scrimmage. You know, early in the season, screens were not working for KU, but, and this isn't just screens. I guess it could be just, you know, throws to the flats to a running back or something like that. but throws behind the line of scrimmage from Marshall this year, he is 46th in the country among 145 FBS quarterbacks, basically in the top third, with for yards per attempt,

Starting point is 00:07:52 and 45th in passer rating, right? And the 145 is among quarterbacks with 15 or more throws there. So that does tell you that Koderniki has continued to scheme things up on those short throws. It also tells you that, you know, you've got some players like Dylan Edwards and Camp Pickett who can catch a throw behind the line scrimmage and make some action happen.

Starting point is 00:08:11 Like that's going to be beneficial to you. What else he's done well? When he's been kept clean, when the offensive line has given him time, which has been a bit inconsistent with the O line this year, he is 48th among 158 qualified quarterbacks in yards per attempt when kept clean. So does that tell you? Like if you're looking to, should I say, Zah, Marshall be the starter in 2027, do you? and do you just beef up the offensive line and say, okay, he was in the top third of

Starting point is 00:08:38 quarterbacks when kept clean this year and that was in his first year as starter should only get better. That's a very valid argument. And then here's the other thing, which is interesting, you would think that, okay, if he's really good when kept clean, how is he going to do when blitzed? He's actually done really well when he's blitzed. He is 14th among 167 qualified quarterbacks in yards per attempt when blitzed. And I think the reason why is this.

Starting point is 00:09:01 I mean, you could say that, okay, maybe if they blitz, if he's able to scramble. away from it and it creates an advantage for you. But I think the big thing is this, he has no problem. He has no, he's not shy at all to take a one-on-one shot. If he's got a one-on-one shot with his receiver and, you know, going deep or something, he'll throw that shot. And so a lot of times you end up in a blitzing situation where you do have at least one guy one-on-one, if not multiple. And he'll just take that shot and his receivers have made the plays. And so that is one way of potentially beating the blitz. So those have been good things for Marshall to this point. Now what has not worked for Isaiah Marshall to this point in time.

Starting point is 00:09:36 Interestingly enough, play action has not been good for Isaiah Marshall. He is among 120 quarterbacks who have 140 or more dropbacks. Marshall ranked 78th in yards per attempt on play action, 11th in completion rate, and turnover worthy throw rate. So he hasn't been as good in play action. And it kind of makes sense to when you think back to his high school days, maybe playing a little bit more read option and spread offense, right? And when you think a lot of his big plays this year,

Starting point is 00:10:06 it's been when the offense has been more open and being more in the gun and stuff. So he hasn't been as good on the play action, which is unfortunate because that is kind of some of the, I don't know, the biggest positives you get out of an Andy Coldenegie offense to where, you know, maybe that's not the best match in the world. The intermediate passes have also not been kind to him.

Starting point is 00:10:25 Among 153 qualified quarterbacks, He's 128th in yards per attempt in the throws in the intermediate range. So he's hit him deep. He's hit him behind the line of scrimmage. He has not hit him in the intermediate range. And then the last one is this, under pressure has not been kind to Isaiah Marshall. So again, when he's been blitzed, he's been good. But the reason why is because he's blitzed, he knows there's eventually going to be a pressure.

Starting point is 00:10:51 So he says, oh, I'll take this one-on-one shot before the pressure gets there. But when he is actually pressured just in general, He is 124th in the country in completion percentage, closer to average in yards per attempt, but 119th in passer rating. So again, it's a very squirly and weird quarterback profile here. What would I do with it? Would I have him as the starter next year?

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Starting point is 00:12:15 Ultra is the ultimate guilt-free pouch delivering instant focus and mental clarity without nicotine or caffeine. New customers can use code locked on college football to get 15% off at Take Ultra.com. that is take ultra.com for 15% off with code locked on college football. After you purchase, they'll ask you where you heard about them. Please support our show by saying you heard it on Locked on Jayhawks. So if I had to make the call right now, is Marshall the guy for 2027? So let's start here. This isn't as simple of a question of, do I think he is good enough?

Starting point is 00:12:52 Do I think he is this good? Can he be all big 12? Whatever it is. because nowadays the conversation also has to involve money. And so that's where this becomes a difficult conversation, where it's like, you know, if Isaiah Marshall is asking for quarterback money that would make him a top,

Starting point is 00:13:13 I don't know, 30 highest paid quarterback or something, that I think you go for somebody else at that point in time. But the problem is knowing that in the back of your mind, it's like, is it going to be that much cheaper if you go out on the portal? Now, if you can get a real game changer on the portal and there's, you know, a donor who's willing to step up and make that big investment for you,

Starting point is 00:13:32 then I would be open to it because I think there's enough warts here. I would definitely be open to it. And again, we'll see how the rest of the season finishes. But it's also like, would you be better off using that money at other positions to kind of beef up, right? And it'll be interesting, too, like what's going to happen with Cole Ballard, who has another year, what's going to happen with, you know, Jalen Mason and Chase Jenkins to where, you know, if some of those guys leave, you might have to at least bring like quarterback in for depth options at the very least.

Starting point is 00:14:04 But honestly, like, I am good with just rolling with Marshall assuming that the money stuff lines up. If the money stuff lines up and he's, you know, not an overly expensive quarterback and there isn't that lined up to get like some, you know, stark quarterback, which I wouldn't expect there to be like those guys are picking other schools than Kansas like there's enough here to still make work with and if he continues to get better there could be another level that he could get to like in theory this is supposed to be his worst year of football he's supposed to get better and better and there's enough right now to where you can squint at it and see the positives even with the

Starting point is 00:14:46 negative so if he just continues to get better you're on the right path it also makes me makes me feel better that you've seen improvement over the season, right? Because like you look at the Arizona State and Missouri games, those are rough. Like if you just look at like total QBR, just like take one all encompassing number. He was at like a 29 total QBR against Missouri. Was that like a 43 against Arizona State? So you're getting a little bit better there, but neither one of those are good numbers. But in all of the game since, he's been 61 or higher on total QBR. Again, it's not this like elite number, but it's it's above average QB. play, you're getting in all of those games since against power for opponents outside of the

Starting point is 00:15:27 middle Tennessee state game. So if he continues on that trajectory, and again, the price lines up here, I'd be happy to have Isaiah Marshall back as your starter in 2027. But because the money thing is always a conversation now, there's always going to be a point where you say, but if this is the ask, we're going to have to go somewhere else. Right. So, and again, like I said like what if some star quarterback says hey i'll come here for this price and some donor says i ain't going to you know donate for an offense alignment but i'll donate for a quarterback right then then that's a different conversation entirely as well all right that'll do for this episode of locked on jhawks you can find our show anywhere you get your podcast including on our youtube page where

Starting point is 00:16:11 you can like and subscribe to the show see you next time for another edition of locked on jhawks

Locked On Jayhawks - Daily Podcast On Kansas Jayhawks Football & Basketball - QB1 DEEP DIVE: How Has Isaiah Marshall Performed for Kansas | Should Jayhawk Commit to Him in 2027?

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