Marshall to sit out indefinitely

Duke’s secondary took a hit when head coach Ted Roof announced that redshirt freshman cornerback Jabari Marshall will sit out indefinitely.

“He’s got some personal issues he’s taking care of,” Roof said after Wednesday’s practice. “As soon as he gets those taken care of, he’ll be back with us.”

Roof declined to give a timetable for Marshall’s return. A member of Duke’s track and field team last season, the speedy cornerback has been attending practice but has not been in uniform.

Marshall’s absence is the latest in a string of blows to Duke’s seemingly star-crossed 2004 recruiting class. The class has already seen four players—cornerback Daniel Charbonnet, wide receivers Corey Thompson and Chancellor Young and offensive guard Izzy Bauta—transfer out of the program. Marshall was projected to compete for the starting cornerback spot alongside All-ACC candidate John Talley before his leave of absence.

Yet Roof seemed optimistic about the return of the Atlanta native, who spurned Notre Dame and South Carolina for a chance to play football at Duke.

“He’s very talented, got a great attitude, and I’m anxious for his return,” Roof said.