Marshall Football: Practice Report 8/10/13

An early theme of this weeks practices repeated itself during Saturday's scrimmage as Marshall's defense got the better of the offense. The offense was able to move the ball, recording 446 yards in 86 plays but, the defense held them to one touchdown by causing four interceptions and four sacks.

The offensive highlight of the day belonged to tight end Devon Johnson according to Grant Traylor of the Herald Dispatch. Johnson caught a five yard pass from quarterback Blake Frohnapfel are turned up field, bowling over corner back Corrie Wilson for a long gain.

On special teams, Penn State transfer Devon Smith was the first player taking kick and punt returns. Continuing his success from last season, punter Tyler Williams showed off his strong leg, booting punts of 61, 58, 53, and 51 yards.

You can find stats for yesterday's scrimmage by clicking here. The Thundering Herd returns to practice for two full team sessions Monday at 9:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Marshall Football: Practice Report 8/9/13

Marshall conducted its first practice as one team Friday afternoon and the mood was electric. The "Herd" drill highlighted yesterdays action where an offense and defense player meet one-on-one within a ten yard box while a running back attempted to run by. Notable match-ups included bulked up tight end Eric Fohnapfel getting the better of linebacker Jermaine Holmes and a post drill scuffle between offensive lineman Sandy Jean-Felix and defensive lineman Ricardo Williams.

During team drills, Derek Redd of the Charleston Daily Mail writes that the offense and defense took turns getting the better of each other.

One of Marshall's deepest positions entering the season is running back. WV Metro News reporter Dave Wilson spoke with new running backs coach Thomas Brown about whittling down that depth and putting the best players on the field.  

One the injury front, corner back Keith Baxter shed his walking boot from yesterday and was a full participant. The same could not be said for running back Stewart Butler who still wore a walking boot on his left leg. Wide receiver Tommy Shuler continued to do individual drills on the sideline while he recovers from off-season surgery.

Marshall Football: Practice Report 8/8/13

Six new assistant coaches are going through their first preseason camp with the Thundering Herd this August. Derek Redd of the Charleston Daily Mail spoke with head coach Doc Holliday about the new faces coming together as a staff.

Out of all the new assistants only strength and conditioning coach Scott Sinclair could work with the players this summer. Sinclair dramatically changed the way Marshall worked out, moving away from machines and focusing on free weights and Olympic type movements instead.

Out on the field, the Herds linebackers have shown tremendous depth according to the Charleston Gazette’s Doug Smock. Linebackers coach Adam Fuller will have four separate personnel groups at his disposal Friday afternoon when the entire team gathers to practice together for the first time.

The defensive line also has improved depth writes WV Metro News reporter Dave Wilson. One name to watch out for is defensive end Arnold Blackmon. The junior college transfer has impressed defensive line coach Sean Cronin during the opening days of camp.

Besides practicing as one team, the players will also don full pads for the first time Friday afternoon. Grant Traylor of the Huntington Herald Dispatch caught up with senior offensive lineman Garrett Scott who is looking forward to his last, first full practice.

We also have two injuries items from yesterday, running back Kevin Grooms and corner back Keith Baxter were both seen in walking boots during the afternoon practice session. Holliday indicated that neither injury is serious and he expects both players to be ok. Wide receiver Tommy Shuler (recovering for offseason surgery) and Davonte Allen worked on the sidelines and did not participate in team drills.

Not practice related but an interesting note nonetheless, Marshall will replace the playing surface at Joan C. Edwards Stadium before the 2014 football season. AstroTurf’s GameDay Grass, which has been installed at the new soccer complex, will also occupy the football field. 

Marshall Football: Practice Report 8/7/13

Hard to imagine I would be saying this after last season but, reports out of yesterday’s practice indicate that Marshall’s defense got the better of the offense. Wearing shoulder pads for the first time, Doug Smock of the Charleston Gazette noticed Thundering Herd defenders harassing quarterbacks Rakeem Cato and Blake Frohnapfel during the afternoon session.  

Linebacker Kent Turene and defensive end Gary Thompson could only watch Marshall’s defense give up an average of 43 points per game last year. Now eligible after sitting out 2012 as academic non-qualifiers, both have high expectations heading into the season.

With the graduation of Aaron Dobson and Antavious Wilson, new wide receivers coach Mike Furrey is looking for a couple of playmakers to flank the Herds offense. Derek Redd of the Charleston Daily Mail and Dave Wilson of the WV Metro News spoke with Furrey about potential replacements and the receiving corps depth.

Last season Marshall special team units blocked seven kicks, tied for third most in the FBS. Always a point of emphasis under head coach Doc Holliday, Jack Bogaczyk of HerdZone.com breaks down how the Herd identifies players with a knack for putting pressure on opposing kickers.

Grant Traylor of the Huntington Herald Dispatch caught Cato wearing a new accessory at yesterday’s practice. The quarterback was sporting a bright green rubber bracelet emblazoned with the saying ‘Why Not Us?’, the teams unofficial motto entering the season.   

Marshall Football: Practice Report 8/6/13

While Rakeem Cato (who has bulked up to 193 pounds this offseason) and Blake Frohnapfel fill the first two spots on Marshall’s quarterback depth chart, a battle is brewing for the third position between redshirt freshman Gunnar Holcombe and freshman Kevin Anderson. Doug Smock of the Charleston Gazette writes that the Thundering Herds spilt squad practices, with Holcombe and Anderson quarterbacking the morning session, is giving both young players plenty of repetitions. Smock also spoke with offensive coordinator Bill Legg about freshman offensive lineman Tyler Combs. With senior left tackles Gage Niemeyer and Jordan Jeffries set to graduate Combs is being groomed as their potential replacement.

At the Charleston Daily Mail, Derek Redd talked with head coach Doc Holliday about Marshall’s full senior class, numbering 20 players as opposed to last season’s eight.

Looking at the defense, Huntington Herald Dispatch columnist Chuck Landon profiled linebacker Neville Hewitt, a junior college transfer that missed spring practice while finishing up class at Georgia Military College. Despite his late arrival, linebackers coach Adam Fuller has been impressed by Hewitt during the first two days of camp.

Fully recovered from a torn rotator cuff and labrum suffered this time last year, redshirt freshman A.J. Leggett spoke with HerdZone.com’s Jack Bogaczyk about adjusting to his new position at safety.

Marshall Football: Practice Report 8/5/13

The big story surrounding Marshall’s first day of preseason practice was who attended and who was missing. The first surprise appeared during the morning session when former Miami defensive end Ricardo Williams walked on the turf at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Per NCAA transfer rules Williams must sit out the 2013 season but, the former three star recruit is a welcome addition to the Herd’s defense. Defensive lineman Jalen Stevenson was another surprise in the morning workout. Hailing from Florida’s Lakeland High School, Stevenson signed a letter of intent with Garden City Community College in February but, ended up enrolling at Marshall instead. Like Williams, Stevenson will be able to practice for two weeks before sitting out the upcoming season.

Eight players from February’s recruiting class were not at practice yesterday, they include running back Tony Pittman, running back Brandon Byrd, receiver Shykeem Pitts, receiver Angelo Jean Louis, receiver Deontay McManus, offensive lineman Gerald Wright, linebacker Jeremiah Benjamin, and defensive back DeAndre “Chocolate” Wilson.  The majority of the group are academic non-qualifiers that will enroll at Marshall this semester and officially join the football team next spring although, that is not true for everyone. Wright will spend this fall at the Milford Academy (NY) before arriving at Marshall and we learned in June that Benjamin no longer planned on playing for the Thundering Herd.

With yesterday’s additions and subtractions you can find a updated roster by clicking here.

At practice Shawney Kersey’s one handed touchdown reception from quarterback Rakeem Cato was the play of the day according to the Charleston Gazette’s Doug Smock. It was not all good news for the Herd’s pass catchers, receiver Jack Gammon suffered a left arm injury and could be out a couple of weeks.

Speaking of the offense, Derek Redd of the Charleston Daily Mail caught up with Blake “Big Cheese” Brooks who spent his offseason transitioning from defensive tackle to offensive lineman.

Special teams will be big focus during August practice as the Herd attempts to remedy a unit that surrendered three kick returns for touchdowns last season. On HerdZone.com, Jack Bogaczky writes that Marshall only recorded six touchbacks on 83 kickoffs attempts in 2013. The Herd hopes to register more touchbacks this season and have added two strong legged kickers, Amoreto Curraj and Nick Smith to push incumbents Justin Haig and Trent Martin. 

Marshall Football: 2013 Recruiting Class Suffers Attrition, McManus Among those Ineligible

Four members of Marshall's 2013 football recruiting class have failed to pass the NCAA's eligibility requirements and will not be eligible this fall. They are running backs Tony Pittman and Brandon Byrd, wide receiver Shykeem Pitts, and defensive back DeAndre "Chocolate" Wilson. Despite the setback all four players will enroll this August and spend the next two semesters getting their academics houses in order. 

Of the group Wilson was the most highly regarded prospect. Rivals ranked him a three star recruit and he also held scholarship offers from N.C. State, Mississippi, and Missouri. 

Besides Pittman, Byrd, Pitts, and Willson, four other players, linebacker Rahiem Huskey, linebacker Rodney Allen, wide receiver Angelo Jean Louis, and wide receiver Deontey McManus  will also sit out the upcoming football season as props. Huskey and Allen switched their commitments to Marshall this summer after signing letters of intent with junior colleges in February. Per NCAA rules they must sit out a year before joining the team. Jean Louis and McManus attended prep school last year and need an additional semester or two to become academically eligible.

The final missing piece of Marshall’s 2013 recruiting class, offensive lineman Gerald Wright, will delay his enrolment by one semester and attend Milford Academy (NY) in the fall.

The Thundering Herd's 2013 recruiting class first suffered attrition when reports surfaced that linebacker Jeremiah Benjamin had not qualified academically. Unlike the other non-qualifiers, Benjamin will not enroll at Marshall.

With all of the moving parts here is an easy breakdown of Marshall’s 2013 recruiting class and their eligibility situation.

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

2) Michael Selby, OL, Washington County High School, Ga. (Enrolled)

3) Aaron Plantt, LB, Hallandale High School, Fla. (Enrolled)

4) Sandley Jean-Felix, OL, Boyd Anderson High School, Fla. (Enrolled)

5) Shykeem Pitts, WR, Ridge Community High School, Fla. (Prop)

6) Tony Pittman, RB, Phoebus High School, Va. (Enrolled)

7) Chris Huhn, OL, Pickerington North High School, Oh. (Enrolled)

8) Jeremiah Benjamin, LB, McArthur High School, Fla. (Will not attend Marshall)

9) Michael Johnson, DB, Booker T. Washington High School, Fla. (Enrolled)

10) Gerald Wright, OL, Miami Northwestern High School, Fla. (Grayshirt, will attend Milford Academy in the fall)

11) Cody Collins, OL, Trotwood-Madison High School, Oh. (Enrolled)

12) Tiquan Lang, DB. Lowndes High School, Ga. (Enrolled)

13) D'Andre "Chocolate" Wilson, DB, Myrtle Beach High School, Sc. (Prop)

14) Josh Knight, WR, Fort Pierce Central High School, Fla. (Enrolled)

15) Brandon Byrd, RB, East Bayside High School, Fla. (Prop)

16) Justin Hunt, WR, Whitehaven High School, Tenn. (Enrolled)

17) Stefan Houston, LB, Fork Union Military Academy, Va. (Enrolled)

18) Angelo Jean Louis, WR, Fork Union Military Academy, Va. (Prop)

19) Deontey McManus, WR, Atlanta Sports Academy, Ga. (Prop)

20) Taj Letman, DB, Holmes Community College, Ok. (Enrolled)

21) Neville Hewitt, DB, Georgia Military College, Ga. (Enrolled)

22) Arnold Blackmon, DE, Navarro Junior College, Tx. (Enrolled)

23) Gary Thompson, LB, Helix Charter High School, Ca. (Enrolled)

24) Corey Tindal, DB, Atlanta Sports Academy, Ga. (Enrolled)

25) Kent Turene, LB, Atlanta Sports Academy, Ga. (Enrolled)

26) Tyler Combs, OL, Lawrence County High School, Ky. (Enrolled)

27) Shawney Kersey, WR, Penn State University, Pa. (Enrolled)

28) Josh Brown, DT, Clemson, Sc. (Enrolled)

29) Devon Smith, WR, Penn State University, Pa. (Enrolled)