Prior to the 2025 season, Nick Marsh was somehow one of the most overlooked players in the country, even being snubbed by the preseason Biletnikoff Award watch list.
Through three games, he was considered a legit contender for the award, catching 16 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns. He looked like one of the best receivers in the nation, but he suffered an injury after a 94-yard first half against Youngstown State, and never returned to action in Week 3.
There was worry that he would be out for at least one more game, and the USC matchup at 11 p.m. ET in Week 4 looked like a long-shot, especially with him not practicing.
Well, he was listed as healthy and good to go the day before the game, surprisingly, and he caught two passes early on for 28 yards, but never caught another.
Fans were a little worried that he wasn’t involved in the offense to the capacity that he should have been, but Jonathan Smith talked those fans down on Monday, revealing just why the star sophomore receiver had a quiet game against the Trojans, other than the fact that he was blanketed.
Jonathan Smith: "Nick Marsh was close to 100%, but throughout the week, he was limited. He had less reps during the week. We had to make plans in case he could not go."
— Emmett Matasovsky (@E_Matasovsky57) September 29, 2025
Marsh was close to fully healthy, but missing practice throughout the week and being limited when he was good to go affected him. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not easy for a player to come off an injury, miss a bunch of practice, and then play in the game and not skip a beat.
”We had to make plans in case he could not go.”
That’s another statement that explains the quiet week for Marsh. Guys like Omari Kelly and Chrishon McCray had to step up like they were WR1 and WR2 all week, respectively, and it showed during the game as they led the team, combining for eight catches for 181 yards and two scores.
Expect Marsh to be involved much more at Nebraska.