A look at the schools that are overlooked by the ESPNs of the world.


Monday, June 25, 2012

Fall Preview: Marshall

Fall Preview for the Marshall Thundering Herd:

QB
#12 Rakeem Cato QB 6-1 180 So. Miami, Fla./Miami Central--9 career starts. 13 games played, 9 starts. 57 carries for 32 yards. 182-304 passing for 2059 yards and 15 TD.
#15 Blake Frohnapfel QB 6-6 229 R-So. Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge--No stats in 2011.
#?? Gunnar Holcombe-QB 6’2”, 185 University School (Florida) Fort Lauderdale, Florida--Incoming freshman.

After 9 starts in 2011 as a freshman, Rakeem Cato is looking to lead the Thundering Herd to another solid season with a bowl berth. Cato could easily break 2500-3000 yards passing for a vastly improving Marshall squad. Sophomore Blake Frohnapfel and freshman Gunnar Holcombe will battle for the backup job although Holcombe would be redshirted in a perfect world due to the severe lack of depth at quarterback.

RB
#02 Tron Martinez RB 5-9 202 Jr. Hampton, Va./Hampton--13 career starts. 12 games played, 11 starts. 160 carries for 649 yards and 3 TD. 20 catches for 171 yards. 1 kickoff return for 9 yards. 2 tackles.
#07 Travon Van RB 5-10 200 R-So. La Mesa, Calif./Milford Academy Prep--2 career starts. 13 games played, 2 starts. 143 carries for 551 yards and 3 TD. 21 catches for 171 yards. 1 tackle.
#42 Essray Taliaferro RB 5-8 180 R-Jr. Washington D.C./Briarwoods--13 games played. 26 carries for 92 yards. 3 catches for 21 yards. 1 tackle.
#29 Martin Ward RB 5-10 209 R-Sr. Jonesboro, Ga./Mount Zion--8 career starts. 11 games played. 4 carries for 20 yards. 3 kickoff returns for 15 yard average. 1 tackle.
#35 Remi Watson RB 5-11 200 R-Fr. Lakeland, Fla./Lake Gibson--Redshirted in 2011.
#43 Jacob Barr RB 6-1 210 Fr. Wayne, W.Va./Wayne--No stats in 2011.
#47 Kevin Rodriguez RB 5-8 190 Fr. Linden, N.J./Linden--No stats in 2011.
#48 Zach Wellman RB 6-0 232 R-So. Huntington, W.Va./Spring Valley--No stats in 2011.
#?? Kevin Grooms-RB 5’10”, 165 South Broward High School (Florida) Hollywood, Florida--Incoming freshman.
#??Steward Butler-RB 5’10”, 170 Lakeland High School (Florida) Lakeland, Florida--Incoming freshman.

Junior Tron Martinez is looking to return for another year of starting after making 11 starts in 2011 and 2 starts in 2010. Martinez rushed for 649 yards and made 20 catches with 3 total touchdowns. Martinez will be backed up by Sophomore Travon Van (551 yards) and senior Martin Ward (20 yards) and junior Essray Taliaferro (92 yards) this fall. The Thundering Herd also see 2 freshmen and 4 other backs that will compete for special teams duties.

TE
#26 Harold “Gator” Hoskins TE 6-2 238 Jr. Gainesville, Fla./Eastside--13 games played, 11 starts. 14 catches for 123 yards and 3 TD. 9 career starts.
#21 C.J. Crawford TE 6-2 228 R-Jr. Huntington, W.Va./Huntington--13 games played, 2 starts. 1 carry for 11 yards. 21 catches for 175 yards and 1 TD. 1 career start. 1 tackle.
#83 Eric Frohnapfel TE 6-6 223 So. Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge--3 career starts. 13 games played, 3 starts. 9 catches for 68 yards and 1 TD.
#82 Bryce Williams TE 6-5 186 R-Fr. Winston-Salem, N.C./North Davidson--Redshirted in 2011.
#86 Rakim Reed TE 6-4 210 Fr. Canton, Ohio/Fork Union Military Academy--No stats in 2011.
#89 Joe Woodrum TE 6-5 230 R-Fr. Bluefield, W.Va./Bluefield--Redshirted in 2011.
#?? Rakim Reed-TE 6’4”, 210 Fork Union Military Academy (Virginia) via Canton Timken High School (Ohio) Canton, Ohio--Incoming freshman.
#?? Chris Hall-TE 6’4”, 230 Fork Union Military Academy (Virginia) Fork Union, Virginia--Incoming freshman.

The Thundering Herd have three solid tight ends in 2012 with juniors Harold Hoskins (14 catches) and CJ Crawford (21 catches) and sophomore Eric Frohnapfel (9 catches). With such a good group of three tight ends, it will be hard for any of the redshirt and true freshmen down the depth chart to get any playing time on offense. Look for 1 or 2 reserves to play on special teams.

WR
#03 Aaron Dobson WR 6-3 204 Sr. Dunbar, W.Va./South Charleston--13 games played, 13 starts. 1 carry for 1 yard. 49 catches for 668 yards and 12 TD. 1 tackle. 1 pbu. 27 career starts.
#09 Antavious Wilson WR 6-1 197 R-Sr. Pahokee, Fla./Pahokee--12 games played, 10 starts. 29 catches for 462 yards and 1 TD. 1 tackle. 29 career starts.
#05 Jermaine Kelson WR 5-8 178 Jr. Miami, Fla./Southridge--13 games played, 3 starts. 23 catches for 208 yards. 1 punt return for 22 yards. 3 career starts. 1 blocked kick.
#17 Tommy Shuler WR 5-9 182 So. Miami, Fla./Miami Central--10 games played. 14 catches for 122 yards.
#19 Andre Booker WR 5-10 176 Sr. Sarasota, Fla. /Riverview--2 career starts. 13 games played, 2 starts. 1 carry for 2 yards. 6 catches for 116 yards. 18 punt returns for 10.8 yard average and 1 TD. 33 kickoff returns for 24.8 yard average. 2 tackles.
#24 Isaiah “Jazz” King WR 5-11 190 R-So. Duncan, S.C./James F. Byrnes--7 games played. 2 catches for 20 yards and 1 TD.
#04 Demetrius Evans WR 6-2 191 Jr. Belle Glade, Fla./Glades Central--2 games played. 1 catch for 21 yards. 2 career starts.
#06 Davonte Allen WR 6-2 202 R-Fr. Belle Glade, Fla./Glades Central--redshirted in 2011.
#27 Matt Preston WR 5-11 219 R-So. Warren, Ohio/Howland--No stats in 2011.
#80 Chris Alston WR 5-11 185 Fr. Lakeland, Fla./Lakeland--Freshman.
#81 Craig Wilkins WR 5-11 183 So. Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah--No stats in 2011.
#84 Dameon Garrett WR 6-0 201 R-So. Cincinnati, Ohio/North College Hill--No stats in 2011.
#?? DeAndre Reaves-WR 5’10”, 180 Dominion High School (Virginia) --Incoming freshman.
#?? Chris Alston-WR 5’11”, 185 Fairfi eld Central High School (South Carolina) Winnsboro, South Carolina--Incoming freshman.

The Thundering Herd have a group of 7 wide receivers that made catches in 2011. Seniors Aaron Dobson and Antavious Wilson lead the receiver corps with a combined 78 catches for over 1100 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2011. Kelson (23 catches), Shuler (14 catches), Booker (6 catches), King (2 catches), and Evans (1 catch) all will battle for backup spots that should see the field on a regular basis. The Thundering Herd have 4 redshirt and true freshmen that should be big contributors for Marshall in the future.

OL
#60 Chris Jasperse C 6-4 296 R-So. Greensboro, N.C./Page--13 career starts.
#64 John Bruhin RG 6-4 305 Gr. Powell, Tenn./Powell--12 career starts. 1 tackle.
#76 Garrett Scott LG 6-4 296 Jr. Douglas, Ga./Coffee County--13 career starts.
#50 DaVonte Edwards OL 6-1 255 Fr. South Charleston, W.Va./South Charleston
#53 Channing Smith OL 5-11 276 R-Fr. Huntington, W.Va./Pike County
#55 Josue Joseph OL 6-3 289 Fr. Orlando, Fla./Freedom
#56 Grady Kerr OL 6-2 307 R-So. New Smyrna Beach, Fla./New Smyrna Beach
#62 James Allen OL 6-2 280 R-So. Bradenton, Fla./St. Stephens Episcopal
#63 Gage Niemeyer OL 6-6 305 Jr. San Jacinto, Ca./Mount San Jacinto C.C.
#68 Anthony Spano OL 6-2 275 R-Fr. Naples, Fla./Gulf Coast
#69 Trevor Mendelson OL 6-6 291 R-So. Dublin, Ohio/Jerome
#70 Corey Tenney OL 6-7 298 R-Jr. New Castle, Va. /Craig County--2 career starts.
#71 Sebastian Johansson OL 6-5 307 R-Fr. Sweden/Raceland (Ky.) HS
#74 Alex Schooler OL 6-6 290 R-Jr. Wichita, Kan./Collegiate--1 career starts.
#77 Jordan Jeffries OL 6-7 305 R-Jr. Oswego, Ill. /Oswego--3 career starts.
#78 Clint Van Horn OL 6-5 305 Fr. Beckley, W.Va. (Woodrow Wilson)
#79 Josh Lovell OL 6-6 290 R-So. Christchurch, Va./Christchurch
#?? Josh Murriel-OL 6’5”, 302 Port St. Lucie High School (Florida) Port St. Lucie, Florida--Incoming freshman.
#?? Gage Niemeyer-OL 6’6”, 305 Mount San Jacinto C.C. (California) San Jacinto, California--Incoming freshman.
#?? Clint Van Horn-OL 6’5”, 305 Woodrow Wilson High School Beckley, West Virginia--Incoming freshman.
#?? Eric Ansley-OL 6’6”, 280 Riverdale, Georgia--Incoming freshman.
#?? Billy Rone-OL 6’4”, 290 Glendale C.C. (Arizona) Glendale, Arizona--Incoming freshman.
#?? Tyler Combs-OL 6’5”, 275 Lawrence County High School (Kentucky) Louisa, Kentucky--Incoming freshman.
#?? Cameron Dees-OL 6’2”, 280 Armwood High School (Florida) Seffner, Florida --Incoming freshman.

DL
#97 Marques Aiken DT 6-4 270 R-Jr. Lauderhill, Fla./Boyd Anderson--15 career starts. 12 games played, 12 starts. 39 tackles, 5.5 for loss. 1 sack, 2 pbu, 1 fumble recovery.
#58 Jeremiah Taylor DE 6-4 250 Jr. South Point, Ohio/South Point--11 career starts. 12 games played, 11 starts. 45 tackles, 7.5 for loss. 3.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery.
#96 Brandon Sparrow DL 6-4 280 Jr. Bedford, Va./Liberty--2 career starts. 13 games played, 1 start. 22 tackles, 2 for loss. 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery.
#40 Ra’Shawde Myers DL 6-3 226 R-So. Cocoa, Fla./Cocoa--13 games played. 9 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 1 sack.
#92 James Rouse DL 6-5 250 R-Jr. Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg--7 career starts. 3 games played, 1 start. 1 tackle.
#45 Matt Pickett DL 6-2 236 R-Jr. Charlotte, N.C./Providence--12 games played. 1 tackle.
#53 Alex Bazzie DL 6-2 235 R-Jr. Silver Spring, Md./Northwood (Fork Union)-- 13 games played. 1 kickoff return for 2 yards. 21 tackles, 1 for loss. 1 fumble recovery.
#52 Malcolm Strong DL 6-4 227 R-So. Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson--No stats in 2011.
#57 Seth Doss DL 5-11 218 R-Fr. Marlinton, W.Va./Pocahontas--No stats in 2011.
#73 Joe Massaquoi DL 6-5 230 Fr. Alexandria, Va./T.C. Williams--No stats in 2011.
#90 Blake Brooks DL 6-1 328 R-So. Charleston, W.Va./South Charleston--No stats in 2011.
#91 Ken Smith DL 6-4 285 Jr. Copperas Cove, Tx./Blinn C.C.--No stats in 2011.
#?? Joe Massaquoi-DL 6’5”, 230 T.C. Williams High School (Virginia) Alexandria, Virginia--Incoming freshman.
#?? Ken Smith-DL 6’4”, 285 Blinn C.C. (Texas) Copperas Cove, Texas--Incoming freshman.
#?? Steve Dillon-DL 6’3”, 275 Palmdale High School (California) Palmdale, California--Incoming freshman.
#?? Marcus Gilchrist-DL 6’4”, 240 Port Charlotte High School (Florida) Port Charlotte, Florida--Incoming freshman.

The Thundering Herd have a large group of defensive linemen battling each other for limited spots. The only guaranteed starters on the defensive line are Juniors Marques Aiken (39 tackles) and Jeremiah Taylor (45 tackles) who have made a combined 26 career starts. Sparrow (1 start), Myers (9 tackles), Rouse (7 career starts), Pickett (1 tackle), and Bazzie (21 tackles) all look to be in the rotation for the Thundering Herd with 9 other linemen battling for the backup spots as well.

LB
#46 Jermaine Holmes MLB 5-11 238 So. Valdosta, Ga./Valdosta--8 career starts. 13 games played, 8 starts. 26 tackles, 2.5 for loss. 1 pbu.
#11 Devin Arrington SS/LB 6-2 209 R-Sr. Portsmouth, Va./Deep Creek--24 career starts. 13 starts. 77 tackles, 2.5 for loss. 2 interceptions, 4 pbu, 2 forced fumbles.
#14 Raheem Waiters LB 6-1 196 So. Quincy, W.Va./Riverside--11 games played. 6 tackles.
#27 Billy Mitchell LB 6-3 226 R-Jr. Navarre, Fla./Navarre--1 career start. 13 games played, 1 start. 22 tackles, 0.5 for loss. 2 pbu, 2 fumble recoveries. 1 defensive touchdown.
#33 T.J. Ross LB 6-0 220 Jr. Durham, N.C./Southern Durham--10 games played. 7 tackles, 0.5 for loss.
#49 Cortez Carter LB 6-0 220 So. Bealeton, Va./Liberty--12 games played. 7 tackles.
#51 Deon Meadows LB 5-11 225 So. Smyrna, Tenn./Smyrna--11 games played. 2 tackles.
#25 Stefone Grace LB 6-3 200 Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio/Milford Academy--Freshman.
#54 Jake Brunoni LB 6-1 210 R-Fr. New Matamoras, Ohio/Frontier--Redshirted in 2011.
#13 Armonze Daniel LB 6-4 232 R-Fr. Avon, Ind./Avon--Redshirted in 2011.
#?? Gary Thompson-LB 6’3”, 206 Helix High School (California) La Mesa, California--Incoming freshman.
#?? Kent Turene-LB 6’3”, 230 Atlanta Sports Academy (Georgia) via Boyd Anderson High School (Florida) Ft. Lauderdale, Florida--Incoming freshman.
#?? Devon Johnson-LB 6’2”, 209 Richlands High School (Virginia) Richlands, Virginia--Incoming freshman.
#?? Deyon'e Henderson-LB 6’0”, 215 Oak Ridge High School (Florida) Orlando, Florida
#?? Stefone Grace-LB 6’3”, 200 Milford Academy (Connecticut) via North College Hill High School (Ohio) Cincinnati , Ohio--Incoming freshman.

The Thundering Herd have 15 linebackers on the roster but only two have extended experience with others playing sparingly. Sophomore Jermaine Holmes (8 starts, 26 tackles) and senior Devin Arrington (24 career starts, 77 tackles) are the only 2 projected starters with Waiters (6 tackles), Mitchell (22 tackles), Ross (7 tackles), Carter (7 tackles), and Meadows (2 tackles) all look to be in the rotation and make some big defensive plays for Marshall in 2012.

DB
#39 Darryl Roberts CB 5-11 177 Jr. Lakeland, Fla./Lakeland--14 career starts. 13 games played, 9 tackles. 37 tackles, 2 for loss. 1 sack, 1 interception, 7 pbu, 1 blocked kick.
#36 Monterius Lovett DB 5-11 175 R-Jr. Tallahassee, Fla. /Rickards--16 career starts. 13 games played, 7 starts. 53 tackles. 2 interceptions, 3 pbu, 2 fumble recoveries.
Keith Baxter DB 5-11 190 So. Homestead, Fla./Homestead--6 games played. 4 tackles. 1 pbu.
#10 Phillip Warren DB 5-10 189 R-So. Miami, Fla./Southridge--1 career start. 12 games played, 1 start. 26 tackles, 1 for loss. 2 pbu, 1 forced fumble.
#44 Derek Mitchell S 6-2 200 R-Jr. Point Pleasant, W.Va./Point Pleasant--13 games played. 22 tackles. 1 pbu, 1 blocked kick. 1 punt return for 10 yards.
#20 Derek Robinson DB 5-10 170 R-So. Davie, Fla./Nova--No stats in 2011.
#16 Lawrence Johnson S 6-1 205 R-Jr. West Bloomfi eld, Mich./West Bloomfield--No stats in 2011.
#18 Donald Brown S 6-0 182 R-Jr. Frostproof, Fla./Frostproof--No stats in 2011.
#22 D.J. Hunter S 6-0 200 R-Fr. Middletown, Ohio/Middletown--No stats in 2011.
#23 Lorenzo Steele DB 5-9 170 R-Fr. District Heights, Md./Suitland--Redshirted in 2011.
#28 Corie Wilson DB 5-10 180 R-Fr. Miami, Fla./Edison--Redshirted in 2011.
#31 Evan McKelvey S 6-1 205 So. Moncks Corner, S.C./Berkley--6 games played. 3 tackles.
#34 Zach Dunston S 6-1 199 Jr. Virginia Beach, Va./Green Run--1 career start. 1 punt return for 11 yards. 1 blocked kick.
#37 Marcin Wrobel S 5-11 195 Fr. Brooklyn, N.Y./Brooklyn Technical--
#38 Ardy Holmes DB 5-9 188 So. Charlotte, N.C./West Charlotte--2 games played. 2 tackles.
#43 Deontae West DB 5-10 170 Fr. Hollywood, Fla./Hialeah
#48 Stephen Roush S 6-2 200 So. Parkersburg, W.Va./Mount Union
#?? Shawn Samuels-SAF 6’1”, 180 Bainbridge High School (Georgia) Bainbridge, Georgia--Incoming freshman.
#?? Andre Scott -SAF 5’11”, 175 Oak Ridge High School (Florida) Orlando, Florida--Incoming freshman.
#?? Deontae West-CB 5’10”, 170 Hialeah High School (Florida) Hollywood, Florida--Incoming freshman.
#?? Corey Tindal-DB 5’10”, 175 Atlanta Sports Academy (Georgia) via Boyd Anderson High School (Florida) Lauderdale Lakes, Florida--Incoming freshman.
#?? AJ Leggett -CB 6’0”, 175 South Miami High School (Florida) Miami, Florida--Incoming freshman.

The Marshall secondary is led in 2012 by juniors Darryl Roberts (37 tackles) and Monterius Lovett (53 tackles) with Warren (26 tackles), Mitchell (22 tackles), Baxter (4 tackles), and McKelvey (3 tackles) all looking to become starters this fall. The backup spots are up for grabs and could go to any of a large group of players.

K
#23 Justin Haig K 5-8 182 R-So. Delray Beach, Fla./American Heritage--1 career start. 1-2 field goals with a long of 24 yards. 58 kickoffs with 1 touchback. 4 tackles.
#85 Trent Martin K 6-1 205 R-Fr. Virginia Beach, Va./Floyd E. Kellam--Redshirted in 2011.

Sophomore Justin Haig was mostly used as a kickoff specialist in 2011 with 58 kickoffs and 1 touchback while making 4 tackles and 1-2 field goals. He must improve in 2012 and be ready to take over the field goal duties in 2012.

P
#38 Tyler Williams P 6-0 193 Fr. Fort Wayne, In./R. Nelson Snider--Incoming freshman.
#93 Austin Dumas P 6-1 184 R-Fr. Bradenton, Fla./Bradenton Christian--Redshirted in 2011.

The battle between freshman Tyler Williams and redshirt freshman Austin Dumas will not be the most exciting but it may turn out to be one of the most important for the Thundering Herd in 2012. One  f the two must step up and become the man at punting for Marshall so that the Thundering Herd can use field position and a strong defense to control games in 2012.

LS
#95 James Power LS 6-3 227 R-So. Myrtle Beach, S.C./Myrtle Beach--No stats in 2011.
#?? Matt Cincotta-LS 6’0”, 220 Charlotte Catholic High School (North Carolina) Charlotte, North Carolina--Incoming freshman.

Another not so exciting positional battle for the Thundering Herd in 2012 should be the long snapper spot. Power and Cincotta should battle for the job and this may do into the fall with Power being the leading contender for long snapping duties.


7--6 with a bowl win over Sun Belt foe Florida International in the Beef O' Bradys Bowl put the end to a great and somewhat unexpected season for the Thundering Herd in 2011. 2012 sees the Thundering Herd with a non-conference schedule that includes road games versus in-state rival West Virginia and Big 10 foe Purdue and home games versus FCS foe Western Carolina and 2011 Mac champions Ohio. The Thundering Herd face Southern Miss and ECU on the road with home games versus Tulsa, UCF and Houston. Expectations are high and 7-6 would be good but the Thundering Herd fan base expects 8+ wins and to make some noise nationally for a good up and coming Conference USA program.

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