Marshall University’s football team hit the turf at Joan C. Edwards Stadium for the start of preseason
practice last week. The Herd returns to competition in September riding a five-game winning streak
after finishing last season with a 9-4 record.
In the offseason head coach Charles Huff and his staff added 40-newcomers, including 25 transfers, 10
high school recruits and five players from the junior college ranks.
Here, we’ll breakdown Marshall’s roster by position group as the Herd prepares to open its season
September 2 nd against the University at Albany.
Quarterbacks
Cam Fancher returns at quarterback after starting seven games last season, throwing for 1,558 yards, 10
TD and 6 INT. He also rushed for 466 yards with a TD on the ground. Joining the team in August, Rice
transfer TJ McMahon adds additional experience to the Herd’s QB room. Last year for the Owls,
McMahon threw for 2,102 yards, 18 TD and 14 INT. The other QB’s on Marshall’s roster haven’t thrown
a pass in FBS competition.
Running Backs
Back to full health, Rasheen Ali leads the running back room. He’ll try to replicate his 2021 season that
featured 1,401 rushing yards and 23 TD. Ali’s primary backup appears to be Poca High School product
Ethan Payne, the Herd’s fourth leading rusher last season. Behind Payne, a young group of RB’s including
A.J. Turner and Maurice Jones, in addition to onetime Wisconsin Badger Antwan Roberts by the way of
Independence Community College, will compete for playing time.
Wide Receivers
Charles Montgomery figures to have a lock on one of the Herd’s outside receiver starting spots after
finishing 2022 with 402 receiving yards. The other outside spot will likely boil down to a battle between
returnees Caleb McMillen and Bryan Robinson. Look for transfers DeMarcus Harris (Kentucky) and
Darryle Simmons (Stephen F. Austin) to be factors there as well. Talik Keaton returns after starting seven
games in the slot last season. He’ll likely be pushed be McNeese State transfer Mason Pierce.
Offensive Line
Along the offensive line starters Ethan Driskell (LT), Trent Holler (LG), Logan Osburn (C) and Dalton
Tucker (RG) return. At right tackle, Tariq Montgomery and Tyshawn Hurst are the likeliest returnees to
replace departed senior Kendrick Sartor. Whether competing for the starting right tackle job or adding
depth, transfers Llyod Willis (FSU) and Altrique Barlow (TCU) bring additional options to the offensive
line. Head coach Charles Huff also specifically mentioned redshirt freshman Jalen Slappy as a candidate
for playing time.
Tight Ends
After cracking the depth chart as a true freshman, Toby Payne appears to be the probable starter at
tight end. He’ll be pushed by UTEP transfer Luke Soto and veteran returnees Rahmod Smith and Marcus
Valez, along with a group of underclassmen.
Defensive Line
Across the defensive line, all-conference end Owen Porter appears to be the only sure starter. In the
middle, returnee Isaiah Gibson figures to be part of a rotation with a host of transfers, Chris Thomas
(Florida), Kylen McCracken (Ohio), Jalil Rivera-Harvey (Arizona St.) and Brandon McElroy (Arizona St.). At
250-lbs., Virginia transfer Michael Green could play inside or outside, like 296-lbs., returnee TyQuaze
Leggs. On the end opposite Porter, upperclassmen Sam Burton and Elijah Alston are options along with
transfer Jabari Ishmael (Miami), Leggs and Green.
Linebackers
All-conference linebacker Eli Neal returns in the middle of Marshall’s defense, but starters must be
replaced to his right and left. Transfer linebackers Kesean Brown (App. State) and Marc Viechec
(Southeastern Univ.), Tah Mac Bright (Incarnate Word), Landyn Watson (TCU) and Stephen Dix, Jr. (FSU)
will be in the mix at Will and Stud linebacker. Outside of senior J’Coryan Anderson, the rest of the Herd’s
linebacker depth mainly consists of redshirt freshman.
Secondary
On the roster, Marshall’s defensive backfield is divided into three positions, cornerbacks, defensive
backs and safeties, which makes it difficult to determine what role the defensive backs play. However,
returning starter Micah Abraham is a lock at one of the outside cornerback spots. And you can expect
transfers Josh Moten (Texas A&M), Ishmael Ibraheem (Texas) and Myles Bell (UConn) to compete for
the other starting role on the outside. Freshman D’Yoni Hill cracked the two deep last year and
appeared in ten games, mostly on special teams, and could factor there as well.
It should be a mix of returnees Daytione Smith, Kerion Martin and Jadarius Green-McKnight patrolling
the back end of Marshall’s defense along with former Cabell Midland High School standout J.J. Roberts
(Wake Forest) at both safety spots and nickel back.
Special Teams
On special teams, punter John McConnell is back. At kicker, Rece Verhoff returns and will be challenged
for playing time by redshirt sophomore Sean Meisler and Washburn University transfer Kameron Lake.
The Herd will debut a new starter at long snapper with returnee Matthew Bosset and Bowling Green
transfer Dominic Konopka competing for the job. The Herd’s primary kick and punt returners, Keaton
and Jayden Harrison, return from last year’s squad.
Devin Perry has been very active on Twitter/X for a long time, bringing lots of Marshall content under the MU Thundering Blog. Give him a follow for continual coverage of Marshall University and the Athletic Department.
