Marshall likes Cal running game

Some have compared 2012 running back Byron Marshall to former Cal standout Jahvid Best and the San Jose (Calif.) Valley Christian star takes it as a compliment but doesn't think of himself in quite that light.

Still, Marshall is an outstanding prospect who has rushed for 604 yards and seven touchdowns on 61 carries this season, his team is undefeated and last weekend he attended the Cal-UCLA game.

The Golden Bears are recruiting him hard and might see the comparison between him and Best as well.

"I find it as a compliment because Jahvid is a great running back and he's doing really great in the league right now," Marshall said.

"I watched him play but I didn't pay any more special attention to Jahvid Best so I wouldn't know how he truly plays. From everything I've seen on how he plays I think that's a compliment."

Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, BYU, Cal, Idaho, Oregon State, San Jose State and Stanford have already verbally offered Marshall, a 5-foot-10, 195-pound back who is carving through the competition this season.

What he liked most about Cal was the game-day atmosphere and the way the Golden Bears utilize current running back Shane Vereen, who had 25 carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

Like all running backs, Marshall wants to find an offense that uses his skills and Cal certainly showed him that side of things last weekend against the Bruins.

"It went well," Marshall said. "I had been to one of their practices previously but I got to see how they played and the game atmosphere. I liked the way their offense ran and how many carries Shane Vereen got and their whole offensive setting. I liked their pre-game and their entrance onto the field was really cool so I liked it.

"The last four or five running backs they've had went to the league as top picks and they're doing well right now so that's very important. That means they have a good position coach for running backs. That's big when I'm looking for a school."

Marshall plans to return to Cal later this month when it hosts Arizona State. His brother, Cameron, plays for the Sun Devils so the trip will give Marshall a chance to see Cal's offense again and to see his brother in action.