Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Football Announces Early Signees For Class For 2026
12/3/2025 4:30:00 PM | Football
Gibson addresses needs by adding young talent to the Herd family
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football celebrated the early National Signing Day period for high school players on Wednesday by welcoming 14 new players to the Herd family.
"We're excited to get these guys in here as part of our Herd family," Marshall Football coach Tony Gibson said. "We knew going into our first year that certain needs would have to be addressed and our staff went to work bringing in guys that we knew would address those needs. We look forward to getting these guys in our program soon and getting to work for the future."
The most notable additions from Wednesday's first National Signing Day period was along the offensive line where five players signed to run with the Herd, starting in 2026.
Here is a list of Marshall Football's current Class of 2026 signees, along with capsule information on each of the new members of the Thundering Herd family:
10:33 a.m.: Ezekiel Gunn, DB, 6-0, 205, Cincinnati, Ohio, Princeton H.S.
9:53 a.m.: J.T. Fagan, OL, 6-7, 295, Florence, Ala., Northeast Mississippi C.C.
9:25 a.m.: William Sandfoss, OL, 6-5, 280, Newport, Ky., Newport Cent. Catholic H.S.
9:11 a.m.: Jaycee Houston, DB, 6-2, 175, Cincinnati, Ohio, Withrow H.S.
8:31 a.m.: Mason Ramsey, OL, 6-3, 285, Huntington, W.Va., Huntington H.S.
8:31 a.m.: Justyn Lyles, OL, 6-4, 260, Cincinnati, Ohio, Withrow H.S.
8:30 a.m.: Andre Parker, LB, 6-0, 205, Cincinnati, Ohio, Princeton H.S.
8:29 a.m.: Tristan Lester, DB, 5-10, 193, Alpharetta, Ga., Milton H.S.
8:28 a.m.: Brennan Chambers, WR, 6-3, 170, Goldsboro, N.C., Kinston H.S.
8:28 a.m.: Aidan Burke, WR, 6-0, 190, Matewan, W.Va., Mingo Central H.S.
8:27 a.m.: Brysen Davies, LB, 6-0, 210, Newnan, Ga., Northgate H.S.
8:26 a.m.: Drew Williams, WR, 6-2, 205, Washington, D.C., St. Johns College H.S.
8:25 a.m.: Riley Winkler, LS, 6-4, 190, Detroit, Mich., Univ. of Detroit Jesuit H.S.
8:24 a.m.: Jae'von White, OL, 6-6, 300, Rockledge, Fla., Rockledge H.S.
Here is a look at the current information on the Class of 2026 signings:
Aiden Burke, WR, 6-0, 190, Matewan, W.Va., Mingo Central, W.Va.
Burke comes to Marshall as another in-state prospect looking to make an impact near home. Last season for the Miners, Burke led Mingo Central in receiving (37 rec., 479 yards, 3TDs). He also excelled on the back end of the defense, finishing with 42 tackles, 4 INTs, 6 PBUs, and a fumble recovery. For good measure, he also returned 7 punts for 111 yards.
Brennan Chambers, WR, 6-3, 170, Goldsboro, N.C., Kinston H.S.
Chambers is a three-star product who brings some length and a much-needed vertical threat to the Herd receiving room. Rated as the 52nd-best prospect in the state of North Carolina by 247Sports, Chambers was offered by Marshall in January 2025 when Coach Gibson first arrived and made his commitment official over the summer.
Brysen Davies, LB, 6-0, 210, Newnan, Ga., Northgate H.S.
Coach Gibson got one of the nation's top statistical performers in Davies, who registered 179 total tackles to go with 3.5 sacks and 2.0 interceptions in the Class of 2025 for Northgate H.S. Davies finished with at least 10 tackles in all 11 games played this season. The 6-0, 210-pound talent from Newnan, Ga., chose Marshall over Army, Navy and Georgia State.
J.T. Fagan, OL, 6-7, 295, Florence, Ala., Northeast Mississippi C.C.
Fagan comes to Marshall as a highly-heralded prospect, having garnered praise as the No. 3 JUCO offensive tackle available in the Class of 2026. The three-star committed to Marshall in early October as the Herd beat out FIU, Florida Atlantic, Kennesaw State and Liberty for Fagan's commitment.
Ezekiel Gunn, DB, 6-0, 185, Orlando, Fla., Orlando Christian Prep H.S.
Gunn projects as a safety for the Herd defense, which means the three-star talent could see action at linebacker or even both safety spot. "Zeke" picked up the phone from whom everyone called in June.
Jaycee Houston, DB, 6-2, 175, Cincinnati, Ohio, Withrow H.S.
The three-star defensive back from Cincinnati Withrow projects as a safety for the Herd defense, but has experience at both cornerback and safety. Houston played at Withrow with fellow Class of 2026 signee Justyn Lyles. Had a laundry list of offers out of high school, but committed to the Herd in June 2025, spurning offers from West Virginia, Ohio, Western Michigan, Miami (Ohio) and Buffalo, among others.
Tristan Lester, DB, 5-10, 193, Alpharetta, Ga., Milton H.S.
Lester has an array of ways to make plays on the ball, as was evidenced by his block of a punt just a couple weeks ago. Lester was a three-time MaxPreps Player of the Week. Decided to choose Marshall over offers from Troy, Southern Miss, Georgia Southern, Buffalo, Miami (Ohio) and Toledo.
Justyn Lyles, OL, 6-4, 260, Cincinnati, Ohio, Withrow H.S.
The three-star offensive lineman is a former West Virginia University commit who had 17 offers coming out of Cincinnati Withrow. Lyles brings versatility and athleticism to the offensive line, which means he could play an array of needed positions for the Herd. Lyles committed to Marshall in November over offers from WVU, Kentucky, Maryland, Miami (Ohio), Ohio, Toledo and UMass. He will be joined at Marshall by teammate Jaycee Houston, who is also in the Class of 2026.
Andre Parker, LB, 6-1, 215, Cincinnati, Ohio, Princeton H.S.
Another in a long line of three-star talents on this team, Parker brings a lumberjack and lunchpail mentality to the game, which he showcased while leading Princeton to a 10-3 record this year and playing for his father, who was the head coach. Out of 19 offers overall, he chose Marshall over West Virginia, Michigan State, Kentucky, Liberty, Indiana, Illinois and seven MAC schools.
Mason Ramsey, OL, 6-3, 285, Huntington, W.Va., Huntington H.S.
The three-star talent is one of the most heralded players in the state, ranking in the top-10 for top prospect in the state of West Virginia. Ramsey led the Huntington Highlanders' offense down the field during his senior year, playing for head coach Billy Seals. Ramsey chose Marshall over offers from Army, Bowling Green, Eastern Kentucky and Toledo.
William Sandfoss, OL, 6-5, 280, Newport, Ky., Newport Cent. Catholic H.S.
Sandfoss joins the Herd from prestigious Kentucky power Newport Central Catholic where he was ranked as a three-star recruit for the Class of 2026 with an overall rank of No. 30 among all Kentucky prospects. Sandfoss chose Marshall over Army, Kent State, Ohio, Georgia State, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee Tech and Dartmouth, among others. He committed to the Herd in June 2025.
Jae'von White, OL, 6-6, 300, Rockledge, Fla., Rockledge H.S.
White is a massive force to be reckoned with for the Herd offense as they look to replenish their offensive line room. The 6-6, 300-pound prospect projects as a tackle at the next level and chose Marshall over several schools, including Pitt, Iowa State, FIU and Western Kentucky. He was named as a three-star recruit out of Rockledge where he also was a member of the track team.
Drew Williams, ATH, 6-2, 205, Washington, D.C., St. Johns College H.S.
Rated as the 10th best prospect out of the D.C. area and a three-star recruit, Williams had the attention of several top-tier programs, such as Indiana, Pittsburgh, Old Dominion, South Florida and Charlotte, but he committed to the Herd in June 2025. Williams' best attributes are his size and versatility, as he can line up at any skill spot on the offensive side of the ball.
Riley Winkler, LS, 6-4, 190, Detroit, Mich., Univ. of Detroit Jesuit H.S.
Winkler burst onto the scene with a solid performance at the Rubio Top-12 Camp in Idaho, put on by Rubio Long Snapping. His average snap time is 0.75 seconds on a 15-yard snap, which is collegiate level timing for the longsnapping operation. The Michigan product has a long frame at 6-4, so as he builds strength, that time will only continue to improve.
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