Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Football Has Nine Honored by Athlon Magazine
5/27/2023 11:00:00 AM | Football
Abraham, Porter, Neal, Ali named as All-SBC Preseason First Team
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football had nine players named as All-Sun Belt Conference selections by Athlon, including four First Team selections, the magazine released this week.
Those four First Team selections were cornerback Micah Abraham, defensive lineman Owen Porter, linebacker Eli Neal and running back Rasheen Ali.
Abraham was named as an All-Sun Belt First Team selection in 2022 after a year in which he finished tied for 3rd in FBS in interceptions with six. Abraham finished with 36 tackles and 10 pass breakups on the season as well. The 10 pass breakups and six interceptions marked the second consecutive season he had at least 15 passes defended.
Porter was the energy leader among Marshall's defense while becoming a force off the edge for the Thundering Herd. The Huntington, W.Va., native finished with 60 tackles and team-highs in tackles for loss (15), sacks (9.5), quarterback hurries (9) and forced fumbles (2).
Neal led Marshall's defense with 98 tackles in 2022 while contributing 9.5 tackles for loss and three sacks to go with nine quarterback hurries, which matched Porter for top honors on the team.
Ali returns healthy after a 2022 season in which he missed time due to injury. However, he made it back for the late stages of the year and won MVP honors in the Myrtle Beach Bowl. In three games, he rushed for 273 yards and a touchdown.
Second-Team All-SBC selections included a pair of Marshall offensive linemen – center Logan Osburn and offensive lineman Ethan Driskell.
Osburn and Driskell each started in all 13 games last season and helped forge a Marshall rushing attack that produced 205.9 yards per game, which was in the top-20 nationally.
Punt returner Talik Keaton was named as an All-SBC Third Team selection while wide receiver Charles Montgomery (36 receptions, 402 yards, TD) and offensive lineman Dalton Tucker (13 starts) were each named as Fourth Team Selections by Athlon, as well.
Marshall finished the 2022 season on a five-game winning streak, which they will carry into the 2023 season opener on Sept. 2 against Albany.
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