Marshall University Athletics
MCGILL: What to watch as Marshall opens preseason camp
8/3/2018 12:05:00 AM | Football, Word on the Herd
QBs, position battles and redshirt rule among storylines
By Chuck McGill
HerdZone.com
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Over the next 16 days, which includes 14 practices, the position that will generate the most chatter will be quarterback. Who will take over for Chase Litton, who is with the Kansas City Chiefs, as Marshall's QB?
Two candidates – sophomore Garet Morrell and freshman Isaiah Green – competed against one another during spring football drills. A third contender, Wagner graduate transfer Alex Thomson, joins the fray during the first practice of training camp Friday at 3:50 p.m. Morrell (6-foot-3, 220 pounds; Leesburg, Georgia) made two starts in 2016 in place of Litton and redshirted in 2017. Green (6-2, 205; Fairburn, Georgia) also redshirted last season. Thomson (6-5, 225; Keyport, New Jersey) has two years of eligibility after competing at the FCS level.
Ninth-year Herd head coach Doc Holliday liked what we saw out of Morrell and Green in the spring, and he has watched as Thomson played catch-up this summer.
"I saw a guy come in and go to work extremely hard," Holliday said of Thomson. "I saw a guy come in and not say a whole lot and just go to work and try to work as hard or harder than his teammates. I thought he handled the conditioning and skill development part of it extremely well. When we get out there Friday we'll get a ball in his hand and see what he can do."
Holliday added that he hopes "somebody separates pretty soon." With the season opener – Sept. 1 at Miami (Ohio) – less than a month away, it would benefit Holliday and first-year offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey if the new starting quarterback was known sooner than later.
That said, there will be plenty of storylines to follow during this month's camp, which concludes Aug. 19. Here's what to watch:
CORNERBACKS
Chris Jackson returns to the secondary after a standout sophomore season. He recorded 62 tackles and led the team in interceptions (three), pass breakups (10) and defensive touchdowns (two). He is locked into one corner spot, but the other side will be an intriguing competition.
Junior Jaylon McClain-Sapp returns after appearing in seven games (four starts) in 2017. The 20-year-old will be pushed by senior Kereon Merrell, sophomore Jestin Morrow and freshman Nirion Washington. Merrell saw action in nine games last season, while Morrow played in all 13 games.
LINEBACKERS
One of the deepest and sturdiest units on the football team will again be led by 2017 Team MVP Chase Hancock, senior Artis Johnson, senior Frankie Hernandez and junior Omari Cobb. That quartet started a combined 31 games and collectively made 283 tackles. OK, so they're proven. But first-year defensive coordinator Adam Fuller will look hard at players like Donyae Moody, Jaquan Yulee and newcomer Dallas Martin as he looks to make a deep group even deeper.
Moody returns from injury, while sophomore Yulee made 15 tackles in 13 appearances and showed a knack for making the big play. Martin was personally recruited by Fuller out of City College of San Francisco, and racked up 170 tackles in two seasons before transferring to the FBS level.
DEFENSIVE END
How will the ultra-talented Juwon Young handle the complete transition to the defensive line? Which newcomers – like Darius Hodge and Koby Cumberlander – will step into key roles? This group still has the steady play and leadership of Marquis Couch, who led all Herd ends in tackles last season with 41, while piling up eight tackles for a loss and three sacks.
TIGHT END
Ryan Yurachek is in NFL camp with the Oakland Raiders, and the void he leaves in this position room is massive. He played in 51 games at Marshall, catching 143 passes for 1,354 yards and 26 touchdowns. He ended his career third among MU tight ends in receptions and second in touchdown receptions.
Cody Mitchell returns, and the Point Pleasant native watched and learned from Yurachek last season. Converted quarterback Xavier Gaines will bring a ton of athleticism to the table, and Armani Levias is back after a strong spring. Devin Miller will also be in the mix. Cramsey would like to find four bodies for this spot.
RECEIVERS AND O-LINE
Cramsey is seeking 10 players along the offensive front and at receiver. The line is well on its way, as that unit returns seven players with starting experience. Don't be surprised if true freshman Dalton Tucker works his way onto the two deep.
As for playmakers, Naquan Renalds, Artie Henry, Talik Keaton and Sheldon Evans will get a chance to impress early and join a talented and dynamic offense. Those newcomers will be a focal point in the opening practices.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Last year's kicker, punter and kickoff specialist, Kaare Vedvik, was handling some of those duties for the Baltimore Ravens during the NFL's Hall of Fame game Thursday night. Vedvik, having exhausted his eligibility, has paved the way for a new player at each of those spots.
REDSHIRT RULE
The coaching staff will place an extra emphasis on that young talent because of a new rule adopted in the offseason. The Division I council approved a measure that allows student-athletes to compete in four or fewer games while preserving a redshirt year. Student-athletes have five years to complete four seasons, but true freshmen or upperclassmen who have not used a redshirt could play a game or two and then take a redshirt, if necessary.
This could allow coaches to play young players in non-conference play and then determine, based on performance, to redshirt those players before the start of conference play. Alternatively, coaches could wait until the final month of the season, when injuries mount, to use a player but preserve a season of eligibility.
"We've had a lot of conversations as a staff – those guys can play four games now," Holliday said. "How do you prepare to at some point get those guys ready if their number is called? That rule changes some things, but as a staff you have to figure out how to get the young freshmen enough repetitions."
Camp Schedule
Friday, August 3 - 3:50 p.m.
Saturday, August 4- 3:50 p.m.
Sunday, August 5 – 6:30 p.m. (Fan Day: 1-3:15 p.m.; gates open at 12:30 p.m.)
Monday, August 6 - 3:50 p.m.
Tuesday, August 7 - 3:50 p.m.
Thursday, August 9 - 3:50 p.m.
Friday, August 10 - 3:50 p.m. (Big Green, Season Ticket-Holder Appreciation Night at 6:30 p.m.)
Saturday, August 11 - 3:50 p.m.
Monday, August 13 - 3:50 p.m.
Tuesday, August 14 - 3:50 p.m.
Wednesday, August 15 – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 16 – 6:30 p.m.
Friday, August 17 – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 18 – 6:30 p.m.
