Nov 29, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Nick Marshall (14) throws the ball in the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. (John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)

If Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall wants to make it to the NFL, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper thinks he needs to change positions.

Kiper said Marshall, who played his first year of college ball at Georgia as a defensive back, projects as a fourth or fifth round draft choice as a cornerback or safety. A lot of athletic, running college quarterbacks in Marshall’s mold often end up playing wide receiver as a professional, but Kiper thinks defense could be Marshall’s best bet.

“You project (running quarterbacks) to wide receiver, some move to running back, or that safety spot,” Kiper said Thursday per Al.com. “For Nick Marshall, that’s a possibility. I could see him in the fourth round, fifth-round pick as a DB.”

In his two seasons at Auburn, Marshall has thrown for 4,291 yards, 32 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while running for 1,848 yards and 23 scores. His completion percentage improved slightly from 59.4 to 60.1 percent from his junior to senior season, but Kiper thinks the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Marshall has a better chance to succeed as a defensive player.

Kiper said the toughness Marshall’s showcased as a runner shows that he could potentially make the transition back to defense.

“You can see the toughness when he’s running with the football, the athleticism, the feet,” Kiper said. “To me, it’s something you’ll look at and say, OK, there’s been some guys who’ve made the move to safety.”

Marshall acknowledged last month that he’d be willing to make the change if it helps him make an NFL roster, though he still prefers to play quarterback.

“It’s just something I have to think about,” Marshall said. “As of right now, I’m open to play anything, but I’m looking to play quarterback.”

Marshall led the Tigers to an 8-4 record this season and will close out his college career against Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.

For more Auburn news, visit AuburnSports.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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