Marshall Football: Signing Day Primer

In less than 24 hours Marshall’s football team will expand when fax machines across the country send letters of intent into the Shewy Building. As we approach national signing day let’s take a look at Marshall’s current verbal commitments and a few prospects the Thundering Herd is still chasing.

First and foremost, two junior college players have already signed letters of intent with Marshall, safety Taj Letman and defensive end Arnold Blackmon. Both had the option of enrolling in January but, I can only confirm that Letman is currently on campus.

Two other junior college prospects, safeties Neville Hewitt and Lakeith Murray have given verbal commitments but did not sign letters of intent during the early JUCO period.

Now that we have accounted for the JUCO players, here are the high school seniors and prep school prospects that have given non-binding verbal commitments to the Herd.

1) Kevin Anderson, QB, Boca Raton High School, Fla.

2) Jeremiah Benjamin, LB, McArthur High School, Fla.

3) Brandon Byrd, RB, East Bayside High School, Fla.

4) Cody Collins, OL, Arch Bishop Alter, Oh.

5) Stefan Houston, LB, Fork Union Military Academy, Va.

6) Chris Huhn, OL, Pickerington North High School, Oh.

7) Justin Hunt, WR, Whitehaven High School, Tenn.

8) Angelo Jean Louis, WR, Fork Union Military Academy, Va.

9) Josh Knight, WR, Fort Pierce Central High School, Fla.

10) Deontey McManus, WR, Atlanta Sports Academy, Ga.

11) Tony Pittman, RB, Phoebus High School, Va.

12) Shykeem Pitts, WR, Ridge Community High School, Fla.

13) Aaron Plantt, LB, Hallandale High School, Fla.

14) Michael Selby, OL, Washington County High School, Ga.

15) D’Andre “Chocolate” Wilson, DB, Myrtle Beach High School, Sc.

16) Gerald Wright, OL, Miami Northwestern High School, Fla.

A few of the prospects have already enrolled at Marshall. Anderson graduated from high school early and hopes to participate in spring practice if his broken collarbone is healed. The prep school players, Houston, Jean-Louis, and McManus are also already on campus.

Something else to keep in mind, Benjamin, Byrd, Houston, Jean-Louis, McManus, Pitts, and Pittman have eligibility concerns. Don’t be surprised if any of those players have to sit out a year before joining the football program. Although, I am hearing Jean-Louis will probably be fully qualified. His issue was getting into Miami, not getting past the NCAA clearinghouse.

Speaking of props, a few from last year will count against this classes scholarship number. Those players are, Kent Turene, Corey Tindal, and Gary Thompson. Even though they are not part of tomorrows recruiting class, you need to take account of Clemson transfer Josh Brown and Louisville transfer Larry Jefferson as they are taking available scholarships.

One other note about the 16 verbal’s, Plantt is only listed as a commitment by Scout.com, it would not surprise me if Marshall does not see a letter of intent from him tomorrow.

Moving on, the Herd is still competing for a number of prospects, here is a list.

1) Sandley Jean-Felix, OL, Boyd Anderson High School, Fla.

A long time FIU commitment, Jean-Felix re-opened his recruitment after the Golden Panthers fired Mario Cristobal. Was in Huntington last weekend for a official visit.

2) Michael Johnson, DB, Booker T. Washington High School, Fla.

Johnson committed to FSU almost a year ago but, grades might be an issue and he was at Marshall last weekend for a official visit.

3) Da’Wan Hunte, DB, Miami Central High School, Fla.

High school teammate of Marshall quarterback Rakeem Cato and wide receiver Tommy Shuler. Took a official visit to MU in January and is deciding between the Herd and Purdue.

4) Elijah Daniel, DE, Avon High School, Ind.

The biggest prospect still on Marshall’s recruiting board, Daniel is a five star player and the brother of current Marshall defensive lineman Armonze Daniel. By all accounts the younger Daniel is deciding between Auburn and Mississippi but, you never know what can happen on signing day.  

Marshall head coach Doc Holliday has pulled a surprise recruit in each of his previous three recruiting classes. In year one it was tight end Gator Hoskins followed by defensive end Terry Franklin the next February. Offensive lineman Eric Ansley was last year’s surprise.

Please follow the Marshall Thundering Blog on Twitter (@MarshallTBlog) tomorrow as we will tweet out a compressive profile of each recruit when their letter of intent hits the Shewy Building. Like our profile says, we are the internet’s best source for free Marshall recruiting information.