Indiana football's Nick Marsh more than flashy footwear

CHICAGO — Michigan State linebacker Jordan Hall had a smile on his face at Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday talking about his former teammate Nick Marsh’s unique dress sense.

After the 2025 season, Indiana football signed the talented receiver out of the transfer portal. Marsh made a splashy entrance on the first day of spring camp by busting out a pair of gold cleats in violation of Curt Cignetti’s strict uniform policy.

Cignetti sent Marsh right back to the locker room.

“It didn't surprise me that he yelled at him,” Hall said with a laugh. “It didn't surprise me that he was wearing it.”

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Hall knew all about Cignetti’s exacting standards from former IU linebacker Aiden Fisher — they kept in touch as childhood friends from Fredericksburg, Virginia — and Marsh’s bold fashion choices.

“Last year (at Big Ten Media Days) he wore an orange suit,” Hall said.

Marsh sported a matching bow tie to complete the ensemble.

“He loves his style,” Michigan State quarterback Alessio Milivojevic said. “It fit him very well.”

While MSU players appreciated Marsh’s fashion sense, they were more impressed with his skill set, one they believe will set him up for success in Bloomington. Marsh spent two seasons with the Spartans , and led the team in receiving in both of them.

In 2025, Marsh also ranked first on the squad in receptions (59, 10th-most in the Big Ten) and receiving touchdowns (six). He ranked third among receivers in the FBS with 28 forced missed tackles in just 12 games, one more than Omar Cooper Jr. for the Hoosiers in 16 games.

“On the field, he can go and do it all pretty much,” Milivojevic said of Marsh. “He can go up and get it. He's a big bodied guy. He's a great route runner.”

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Michigan State safety Nikai Martinez quickly recognized Marsh’s talent as well. The multi-year starter identified Marsh as a player to watch the minute the receiver stepped on campus.

“I always knew he was one of those ones as a receiver, and just how good and how much he knew being a freshman,” Martinez said. “And the talent level he had, and just the plays that we could see that he made, I always knew he had that spark in him.”

Like Milivojevic, Martinez raved about Marsh’s abilities.

“His hands, he has very strong hands,” Martinez said. “And just being able to locate the ball, and just a big body, and the way he moves. For a person that big, he can move, and he's agile, and he just can make people miss.”

Those talents will help Marsh make headlines this season beyond his footwear choice.

“Nick’s a great kid,” Hall said. “I'm sure Coach Cignetti and that staff will appreciate his assets that he can bring.”

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here .

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana football's Nick Marsh more than flashy footwear

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