Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Football Announces Extensive Class of 2025 Signees List
2/5/2025 2:20:00 PM | Football
Rivals ranks Herd’s 2025 transfer class as No. 2 in FBS, bringing talent to SBC Champs
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football coach Tony Gibson announced his first signing class of his tenure with the Thundering Herd, officially welcoming 61 new players to the program during National Signing Day festivities on Wednesday.
According to Rivals, Marshall boasts of the No. 2 transfer class in FBS football, which means Gibson has brought plenty of talent to Huntington as the Herd looks to defend its Sun Belt Conference title.
Many of those transfers enrolled for the Spring 2025 semester and will take part in Spring football for the Thundering Herd, which starts on March 4.
"We are extremely excited to add players to the Marshall Football family and to be ranked as one of the nation's top classes," Gibson said. "Our staff did an incredible job of targeting specific needs when we got here and bringing guys in who will contribute immediately. Many of these guys are already here on campus and will take part in spring ball, which is needed. We look forward to welcoming our other guys soon as well."
Marshall is coming off a 10-3 season which culminated with a 31-3 win over Louisiana in the Sun Belt Conference Championship game.
Here is a list of Marshall Football's current Class of 2025 signees, along with capsule information on each of the new members of the Thundering Herd family:
Class of 2025 - H.S. Signees         Â
Jalyn Abercrombie, WR, 5-10, 175, Huntington, W.Va., Spring Valley H.S.
Andrew Dudley, OL, 6-3, 300, Tucson, Ariz., IMG Academy (Fla.)
Koi Fagan, QB, 6-0, 175, Martinsburg, W.Va., Martinsburg H.S.
Camron Nti, DB, 6-2, 175, Germantown, Md., Northwest H.S.
Anthony Quinn, Jr., RB, 6-0, 200, Fayetteville, N.C. Rabun Gap H.S. (Ga.)
Signed (Dec.): Parker Brault, OL, 6-4, 295, Palatine, Ill., Palatine H.S.
Signed (Dec.): Eli Kaufman, OL, 6-4, 270, Wadsworth, Ohio, Wadsworth H.S.
Signed (Dec.): Jack Laird, OL, 6-7, 305, Orangeburg, S.C., Cardinal Newman H.S.
Signed (Dec.): Mekhi Lockhart, DL, 6-4, 290, Winter Park, Fla., Winter Park H.S.
Signed (Dec.): Eahjay McAdams, LB, 6-1, 205, East Orange, N.J., West Orange H.S.
Signed (Dec.): Jaasai Simmons, OLB, 6-2, 230, Philadelphia, Pa., Roman Catholic H.S.
Signed (Dec.): John Wetzel, S, 6-0, 195, Latrobe, Pa., Greater Latrobe H.S.
Signed (Dec.): Sherone White, WR, 5-9, 160, Pickerington, Ohio, Pickerington Central
Signed (Dec.): Rhett McGrew, TE, 6-3, 240, Hurricane, W.Va., Hurricane H.S.
Class of 2025 – Transfer Signees
Ali Abbasi, DL, 6-4, 300, Woodbridge, Va., Roosevelt University
Jibreel Al-Amin, LB, 6-3, 215, Woodbridge, Va., Jacksonville State
Michael Allen, RB, 5-11, 215, Greenville, N.C., UNLV
Jakolbe Baldwin, WR, 6-0, 200, Hamlet, N.C., N.C. State
Jo'shon Barbie, RB, 5-9, 190, Harvey, La., McNeese State
Bryce Biggs, OL, 6-4, 310, Ashland, Ky., West Virginia
Rashawn Carr, LB, 5-11, 210, Lawndale, Calif., Campbell
Jack Clougherty, QB, 5-11, 180, Pasadena, Calif., South Dakota
Atley Cowan, WR, 6-2, 185, Wheeling, W.Va., Univ. of Indianapolis
Naquan Crowder, DL, 6-3, 320, Aliquippa, Pa., California U. (Pa.)
Philipp Davis, DB, 6-1, 200, Lake Wales, Fla., Michigan State
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, QB, 6-2, 222, Atlanta, Ga., Syracuse
Trey Dunn, DB, 6-1, 200, Charleston, W.Va., Navy
Peyton Ellis, OL, 6-4, 315, Bullard, Texas, Texas A&M-Commerce
Katron Evans, DL, 6-3, 335, Norfolk, Va., UNC Charlotte
Evan Ferguson, OL, 6-3, 300, Huntington, W.Va., Gardner-Webb
Javae Gilmore, LB, 6-4, 235, Amite, La., Mississippi State
Antonio "Tone" Harmon, WR, 6-3, 200, Kosciusko, Miss., Mississippi State
Daniel Harris, DB, 6-4, 205, Melbourne, Fla., UAB
Paul Hutson III, DL, 6-0, 270, Norfolk, Va., Campbell
Louikenzy Jules, DB, 6-0, 190, Union, N.J., Univ. of Charleston
Sid Kaba, DL, 6-3, 260, Columbus, Ohio, Western Michigan
Demarcus "Floyd" Lacey, WR, 6-0, 190, Birmingham, Ala., Jacksonville State
Cannon Lewis, LB, 6-2, 225, Barboursville, W.Va., N.C. State
Jalen Marshall, LB, 6-2, 225, Hiram, Ga., Wofford
Kerion Martin, LB, 6-1, 220, Charleston, W.Va., Youngstown State
Tony Martin, WR, 5-11, 185, Pahokee, Fla., Western Michigan
Tyas Martin, DL, 6-4, 330, Helena, Ark., Jackson State
Tyler McDuffie, OL, 6-9, 365, Danville, Va., Hampton
Brock Montgomery, WR, 6-2, 195, Lebanon, Tenn., UConn
Marvae Myers-Glover, DB, 6-1, 200, West Orlando, Fla., Middle Tennessee
Tayvon Nelson, DB, 6-1, 205, Brooklyn, N.Y., Maryland
Jayland Parker, LB, 6-1, 225, Macon, Ga., N.C. State
Josh Pierre-Louis, DB, 5-11, 185, West Palm Beach, Fla., West Georgia
Zane Porter, LB, 6-3, 210, Ceredo, W.Va., Morehead State
Ian Ratliff, P, 5-11, 190, Humble, Texas, Texas
Jalil Rivera-Harvey, DL, 6-3, 300, Buffalo, N.Y., Western Kentucky
Morgan Scott, OL, 6-5, 300, Germantown, Tenn., Middle Tennessee
Robert Shockey, QB, 6-0, 175, Ona, W.Va., N.C. State
Zavier Short, WR, 6-2, 210, Chapin, S.C., Appalachian State
Cameron Smith, DB, 6-2, 200, Cleveland, Ohio, Jackson State
Darrell Sweeting, DB, 6-0, 185, West Palm Beach, Fla., Temple
Aaron Tate, LS, 6-1, 245, Hurricane, W.Va., Glenville State
Boogie Trotter, DB, 5-10, 185, Nashville, Tenn., Tennessee State
Ben Turner, WR, 5-9, 175, Huntington, W.Va., West Liberty
Zion Turner, QB, 6-1, 205, Miami, Fla., Jacksonville State
Jamaal Whyce, Jr., DL, 6-4, 299, Miami, Fla., South Carolina
2025 High School Signees
Jalyn Abercrombie, WR, 5-10, 175, Huntington, W.Va., Spring Valley
Abercrombie is a multi-dimensional talent from Spring Valley High School who was named as a W.Va. Class AAA All-State First Team selection as a Utility Player after excelling on both sides of the field. Abercrombie's best work came at the wide receiver spot where he hauled in 53 passes for 1,042 yards and 14 touchdowns while also scoring touchdowns in four other ways: rushing, throwing, returning a kick and returning an interception. He also with 22 tackles and two interceptions on defense. Jalyn also had offers from West Virginia, Appalachian State and interest from Penn State.
Parker Brault, OL, 6-4, 295, Palatine, Ill., Palatine H.S.
Brault is a three-star offensive lineman from Palatine H.S. who is ranked as one of the top-200 offensive linemen in the Class of 2025. He led the Pirates to an 8-2 record as a senior, pushing an offense that averaged 30.0 points per game. The 6-4, 295-pound interior offensive lineman committed to Marshall in May choosing the Herd over offers from Coastal Carolina, Navy, Western Kentucky, Bowling Green, Toledo and others.
Andrew Dudley, OL, 6-3, 300, Tucson, Ariz., IMG Academy (Fla.)
Dudley is a three-star prospect that ranks as one of the Top 300 overall prospects in the state of Florida for the Class of 2025. Projected as an interior offensive lineman, Dudley played for one of the top prep programs in the nation at IMG Academy. Dudley chose Marshall over offers from Arizona, FIU, Florida Atlantic, Fresno State and Howard.
Koi Fagan, QB, 6-0, 175, Martinsburg, W.Va., Martinsburg
Fagan was the consensus top player in the state of West Virginia, earning the Gatorade Player of the Year and the MetroNews Player of the Year awards, in addition to the State Player of the Year award, as voted on by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. Fagan led Martinsburg to the West Virginia Class AAAA Championship after a season in which he amassed 4,100 total yards (2,264 passing, 1,848 rushing) and 61 touchdowns (33 passing, 28 rushing). He completed 63.1 percent of passes and only threw six interceptions on the year. Fagan chose Marshall over an offer from West Virginia.
Eli Kaufman, OL, 6-4, 270, Wadsworth, Ohio, Wadsworth H.S.
Kaufman is a three-star tackle that helped engineer Wadsworth's offensive line to scoring 35 points in 10 of 13 games in the 2024 season as the Grizzlies went 11-2 on the year. The 6-4, 270-pound prospect chose Marshall over offers from Coastal Carolina, Navy, Army, Toledo, Western Michigan and Western Kentucky.
Jack Laird, OL, 6-7, 305, Orangeburg, S.C., Cardinal Newman H.S.
Laird is a massive three-star lineman that stands at 6-7 and eclipses 300 pounds out of high school. A native of Orangeburg, S.C., he was rated as the 35th best prospect in the Class of 2025 from South Carolina. Laird chose Marshall over Arkansas State.
Mekhi Lockhart, DL, 6-4, 290, Winter Park, Fla., Winter Park H.S.
Lockhart is a three-star commit from the Sunshine State who is rated as one of the top-250 defensive linemen in the country for the Class of 2025. His athleticism for a big man is superb and he also is a track and field standout, throwing 88-11 in the discus and 34-7 in the shot put. Lockhart chose Marshall over UConn and UMass.
EahJay McAdams, LB, 6-1, 205, East Orange, N.J., West Orange H.S.
McAdams is a three-star linebacker that is considered New Jersey's 45th best prospect for the Class of 2025 and is also a top-150 linebacker nationally for the class. In 10 games last season, McAdams had 64 tackles with 21 tackles for loss and 9 sacks. He also had one interception and one fumble recovery. McAdams chose to come to Marshall over offers from Syracuse, Temple, Navy, Army and UMass.
Rhett McGrew, TE, 6-3, 240, Hurricane, W.Va., Hurricane H.S.
McGrew is a three-star prospect for the Class of 2025. He is considered the No. 3 prospect in the state of West Virginia and he is a highly-touted tight end who saw plenty of success with the Redskins during his time at Hurricane. He caught 14 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns in 2024.
Camron Nti, DB, 6-2, 175, Germantown, Md., Northwest H.S.
Nti is a talented three-star prospect who rates as the No. 44 overall prospect in the state of Maryland for the Class of 2025. The Germantown, Md., product helped lead Northwest H.S. to a 9-3 record in 2024 while finishing with 27 tackles and three interceptions. Nti chose Marshall over Morgan State, Howard, Towson and Georgetown.
Anthony Quinn, Jr., RB, 6-0, 200, Fayetteville, N.C. Rabun Gap H.S. (Ga.)
Quinn is a versatile running back that garnered tons of interest in recruiting due to his abilities as a rusher and a pass-catching threat out of the backfield. Quinn rushed for 620 yards and 12 touchdowns while hauling in 17 passes for 254 yards and another two scores. He had three games over 100 yards as a senior while leading Rabun Gap-Nacoochee to a 10-2 record. Chose Marshall over offers from James Madison, Charlotte, Arkansas State, Georgia State and Middle Tennessee. Also had interest from Duke and N.C. State.
Jaasai Simmons, OLB, 6-2, 230, Philadelphia, Pa., Roman Catholic H.S.
Simmons is a three-star prospect who projects as an outside linebacker or edge rusher at the collegiate level. In four games reported, he had six tackles for loss and 10 total tackles. He chose Marshall over offers from Akron and Maine.
John Wetzel, S, 6-0, 195, Latrobe, Pa., Greater Latrobe H.S.
Wetzel is a three-star prospect from Latrobe, Pa., who is considered as the 26th-best prospect in the state of Pennsylvania for the Class of 2025. Through his first three years at Greater Latrobe, he had 111 total tackles and had accounted for 3,000 total yards and 35 touchdowns as a quarterback. He chose Marshall over West Virginia, Temple, Akron and Eastern Michigan.
Sherone White, WR, 5-9, 160, Pickerington, Ohio, Pickerington Central H.S.
White is a speedy three-star talent at the wide receiver spot who is considered as Ohio's 63rd best prospect. White's athleticism is showcased by a 4.41-40-yard dash, a 38-inch vertical, a 265-pound bench and a 450-pound squat. The top-200 wide receiver in the Class of 2025 chose Marshall over Navy, Toledo, Army, Bowling Green, Air Force and Kent State.
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2025 Transfer Signees
Ali Abbasi, DL, 6-4, 300, Woodbridge, Va., Roosevelt University
Abbasi comes to Marshall from Roosevelt University where he appeared in nine games in the 2024 season, registering one tackle against Northern Michigan. No stranger to the Mountain State after having played his 2023 season at West Virginia State.
Jibreel Al-Amin, LB, 6-3, 215, Woodbridge, Va., Jacksonville State
El-Amin comes to Marshall after having played for the last three seasons at Jacksonville State. Has 24 games experience to his credit, including nine this season with a pair of starts – the 2024 Conference USA Championship and the StaffDNA Cure Bowl. Has 41 career tackles with a sack and a forced fumble to his credit. Was recruited by Marshall out of high school after starring at Freedom (Va.) where he led his team to a 10-3 record and berth in the Class 6A quarterfinals.
Michael Allen, RB, 5-11, 215, Greenville, N.C., UNLV
The UNLV transfer rushed 19 times for 108 yards in three games during the 2024 season. Prior to playing for the Rebels, he spent two seasons at N.C. State where he rushed 109 times for 519 yards and a touchdown. Allen is a native of Greenville, N.C., where he played at J.H. Rose High School and was a four-star recruit that was No. 8 overall in the state of North Carolina and the No. 22 running back overall in the Class of 2022.
Jakolbe Baldwin, WR, 6-0, 200, Hamlet, N.C., N.C. State
Baldwin comes to Marshall from N.C. State where he spent four seasons in a primarily reserve role as a hybrid guy on both sides of the ball and special teams. Saw action defensively in 11 games during the 2023 season before switching back to offense for 2024 – a place he started his career in 2021. In 17 games played, he has three receptions and four tackles.
Jo'shon Barbie, RB, 5-9, 190, Harvey, La., McNeese State
Barbie burst onto the scene in late 2023 for McNeese State and carried that momentum, rushing for 1,252 yards in 17 career games with 11 touchdowns. In 2024, he rushed for 831 yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games. In 2023, he was discovered late due to injuries and finished with421 yards and three touchdowns in five games of action.
Bryce Biggs, OL, 6-4, 310, Ashland, Ky., West Virginia
The former Spring Valley H.S. standout went to West Virginia where he spent the last four years. Biggs saw action in 10 games as a reserve offensive lineman for the Mountaineers. Saw action against UAlbany, Pitt and Kansas in 2024. In high school, Biggs was named as a Class AAA First Team All-State selection while teaming with Wyatt Milum and Evan Ferguson to form a potent offensive line while playing for the Timberwolves and head coach Brad Dingess.
Rashawn Carr, LB, 5-11, 210, Lawndale, Calif., Campbell
Appeared in 14 games over the past two years at Campbell, logging 19 tackles during his action for the Camels. Tabbed a three-star safety and a top-200 California recruit by 247Sports. Carr was a two-time all-conference performer, earning first team honors as a senior while tallying 66 tackles, including five for loss and three passes defended.
Jack Clougherty, QB, 5-11, 180, Pasadena, Calif., Arizona Christian
Clugherty comes to Marshall from Arizona Christian where he spent one season after starting his career at South Dakota. Has not seen any collegiate action yet. Competed on scout team and in practices throughout the 2023 season for South Dakota after redshirting in 2022. In high school, he was a two-sport standout for St. Francis (Calif.) High School, leading the Golden Knights to an 8-3 record after throwing for 2,300 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2019.
Atley Cowan, WR, 6-2, 185, Wheeling, W.Va., Univ. of Indianapolis
Cowan comes to Marshall after spending a season at UIndy where he did not log any game action. An in-state product, Cowan was a standout at Linsly School where he was a two-sport athlete in football and track. In 2022, he led Linsly to its best season ever at 9-1 overall, which included an OVAC 3A title.
Naquan Crowder, DL, 6-3, 320, Aliquippa, Pa., California U. (Pa.)
Crowder comes to Marshall from Cal U (Pa.) where he was a standout defensive lineman. In 2024, Crowder amassed 51 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks while also blocking two kicks. His top effort of the season was a 10-tackle performance against Ashland University. He has appeared in 14 games over two seasons at Cal U (Pa.).
Philipp Davis, DB, 6-1, 200, Lake Wales, Fla., Michigan State
Davis comes to Marshall from Michigan State where he was a defensive back for the Spartans. The Lake Wales, Fla., native was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree who did not see any game action in 2024. Davis was ranked among the top cornerbacks in the nation by On3 (No. 90) and listed as one of the top safeties in the country by 247Sports (No. 111) while also being rated among the top overall players in the state of Florida in the Class of 2023 by On3 (No. 116).
Carlos Del Rio-Wilson, QB, 6-2, 222, Atlanta, Ga., Syracuse
Del Rio-Wilson spent the last three seasons at Syracuse after transferring there from Florida in 2022. In three seasons at Syracuse, he appeared in 14 games with two starts while completing 48 of 102 passes for 624 yards and four touchdowns. Also rushed for 148 yards and a score. He did not appear in any games last season due to injury. Our of high school, Del Rio-Wilson was rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports. He was the No. 16 quarterback in the country and the No. 14 overall prospect in Georgia for the Class of 2021.
Trey Dunn, DB, 6-1, 200, Charleston, W.Va., Navy
The former South Charleston standout has made his way back to the Mountain State after transferring to Marshall from Navy. Dunn, who finished up his prep career at Myrtle Beach Collegiate, did not see any action in 2024 while enrolled at the U.S. Naval Academy. Out of high school, Dunn had interest from West Virginia, VMI, Army and Davidson before committing to Navy. Â
Peyton Ellis, OL, 6-4, 315, Bullard, Texas, East Texas A&M
Ellis comes to Marshall from East Texas A&M University where he logged 20 games of experience over the past two seasons with the Lions.
Katron Evans, DL, 6-3, 335, Norfolk, Va., Charlotte
Evans comes to Marshall from Charlotte where he appeared in 12 games and registered eight tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery which he returned 22 yards for a touchdown against Florida Atlantic. Prior to going to Charlotte in 2023, Evans spent two seasons at Jackson State, registering 14 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks as a freshman in 2021. Evans was a consensus four-star prospect out of St. Frances H.S. in Maryland. Was ranked as the No. 4 player in Maryland and the No. 10 defensive tackle nationally for the Class of 2021.
Evan Ferguson, OL, 6-3, 300, Huntington, W.Va., Gardner-Webb
Ferguson comes to Marshall from Gardner-Webb where he saw action as a reserve lineman over the past three seasons, including 11 games in 2024. The former Spring Valley H.S. standout reunites with former H.S. teammate Bryce Biggs to add depth and experience to the Marshall offensive line. Â
Javae Gilmore, LB, 6-4, 235, Amite, La., Mississippi State
Gilmore comes to Marshall from Mississippi State where he is joined by wide receiver Antonio Harmon, who was also with the Bulldogs. Gilmore appeared in 24 games over three seasons with Mississippi State. In 2024, he appeared in 11 games with zero starts and made his first career tackle and tackle for loss against Texas on Sept. 28. Named a four-star prospect by Rivals, he was the No. 15 player in Louisiana and the No. 23 OLB in the Class of 2022 after a senior season in which he had 69 tackles with 12 TFLs and 4.0 sacks.
Antonio "Tone" Harmon, WR, 6-3, 200, Kosciusko, Miss., Mississippi State
Harmon comes to Marshall from Mississippi State where he will again be reunited with former Bulldog teammate Javae Gilmore. Harmon did not appear in any games in 2024, but appeared in all 12 games during the 2023 season with one start. In 19 career games at Mississippi State, he caught 19 passes for 159 yards with one touchdown. Harmon was a four-star recruit who was named as the No. 6 overall wide receiver prospect in the Class of 2021 by ESPN. Â
Daniel Harris, DB, 6-4, 205, Melbourne, Fla., UAB
Harris comes to Marshall from UAB where he played in one game over two seasons with the Blazers, registering one tackle. Harris was a three-star prospect out of Palm Bay Senior in Florida. Had several offers out of high school, including Florida State, WVU, Tennessee, Auburn, South Carolina and Mississippi State.
Paul Hutson III, DL, 6-0, 270, Norfolk, Va., Campbell
Hutson comes to Marshall from Campbell and is joined on the Thundering Herd's 2025 team by Campbell defensive teammate Rashawn Carr. Hutson was a key piece of Campbell's defensive unit in 2024, registering 50 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Returned to Campbell for 2024 after going to Austin Peay in 2023. Played in 11 games at Campbell in 2022. Was a three-star defensive tackle out of high school.
Louikenzy Jules, DB, 6-0, 190, Union, N.J., Univ. of Charleston
Jules comes to Marshall from University of Charleston where he was a lockdown defender in the defensive backfield in 2024. Jules finished with 21 tackles, four interceptions and eight passes defended in 12 games.
Sid Kaba, DL, 6-3, 260, Columbus, Ohio, Western Michigan
Kaba comes to Marshall after having been on a team who played the Thundering Herd during the 2024 season while with Western Michigan. Kaba did not see any game action in 2024 for the Broncos. Kaba joins former WMU teammate Tony Martin on the Herd roster for 2025. Was a three-star prospect out of high school and had offers from several Big Ten programs, including Michigan State.
Demarcus "Floyd" Lacey, WR, 6-0, 190, Birmingham, Ala., Jacksonville State
Lacey comes to Marshall from Jacksonville State where he played for Marshall offensive coordinator Rod Smith. Lacey played in seven games for the Gamecocks before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Caught eight passes for 84 yards in 2024. Prior to Jacksonville State, Lacey played at North Alabama where he was the Lions' leading rusher with 589 yards in 2023.
Cannon Lewis, LB, 6-2, 225, Barboursville, W.Va., N.C. State
Lewis returns to his hometown to play for Marshall after transferring from N.C. State where he played for Marshall head coach Tony Gibson. The former Cabell Midland standout played in four games, registering two tackles, including one tackle for loss for the Wolfpack. Prior to N.C. State, Lewis put up some amazing numbers while playing for the Knights and former Marshall offensive lineman Luke Salmons. As a senior, Lewis finished with 181 tackles with 18 tackles for loss, four sacks and three fumble recoveries – one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Jalen Marshall, LB, 6-2, 225, Hiram, Ga., Wofford
Marshall joins the Thundering Herd after serving as a standout defensive player for Wofford last season. The Hiram, Ga., native played in all 12 games with seven starts for the Terriers, amassing 95 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss – both of which were in the top-3 in the SoCon last season. Marshall had four games with double-digit tackles and his best outing was a 12-tackle, 3-TFL effort against Samford.
Kerion Martin, LB, 6-1, 220, Charleston, W.Va., Youngstown State
Kerion Martin returns back to Marshall's roster after transferring back to the Herd from Youngstown State where he spent the 2024 season. Martin finished with 35 tackles with three tackles for loss for the Penguins. In 2023 at Marshall, Martin had 31 tackles in 12 games with two TFLs as well.
Tony Martin, WR, 5-11, 185, Pahokee, Fla., Western Michigan
Tony Martin joins former Western Michigan teammate Sid Kaba as players who left the Broncos to join the Thundering Herd. Martin saw action in four games in the 2024 season for the Broncos but did not register any stats. Was rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN out of high school. Had an offer from Marshall and Maryland out of high school.
Tyas Martin, DL, 6-4, 330, Helena, Ark., Jackson State
Tyas Martin comes to Marshall from Jackson State where he reunites with defensive teammate Cam Smith. The Helena, Ark., native played in 15 games over the last two seasons at Jackson State, racking up 19 tackles. Went to Colorado out of high school as a three-star prospect. Saw first collegiate action against Minnesota.
Tyler McDuffie, OL, 6-9, 365, Danville, Va., Hampton
McDuffie comes to help bolster Marshall's offensive front after starting for Hampton over each of the last two seasons. In three years with the program, McDuffie has 33 games experience, which is something the Herd staff will lean on extensively.
Brock Montgomery, WR, 6-2, 195, Lebanon, Tenn., UConn
Montgomery comes to Marshall after having played one season at UConn. Only played in four games, which could help maintain redshirt status for that season. Two of the four opponents in which Montgomery appeared were ACC foes in Duke and Maryland. Honored as Region 3-6A wide receiver of the year, Montgomery finished his senior season at Riverdale (Tenn.) with 76 receptions for 1,295 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Marvae Myers-Glover, DB, 6-1, 200, West Orlando, Fla., Middle Tennessee
Myers-Glover comes to Marshall from Middle Tennessee after being a mainstay on the Blue Raiders' defense last season. Myers-Glover had 12 games played with 10 starts for Middle Tennessee, compiling 41 tackles and an interception in 2024.
Tayvon Nelson, DB, 6-1, 205, Brooklyn, N.Y., Maryland
Nelson comes to Marshall from Maryland where he was recruited as a defensive back for the Terrapins. He did not see any game action in 2024 and committed to joining the Herd in December. Nelson is a former three-star recruit from New York in the Class of 2023.
Jayland Parker, LB, 6-1, 225, Macon, Ga., N.C. State
Parker joins Marshall along with fellow N.C. State linebacker Cannon Lewis, which provides continuity and depth to the Herd second level of defense. Parker was with the Wolfpack for four seasons, playing in 34 career games and logging 13 career tackles.
Josh Pierre-Louis, DB, 5-11, 185, West Palm Beach, Fla., West Georgia
Pierre-Louis comes to Marshall from West Georgia where he did not see game action in 2024. Prior to playing at Iowa Western in 2023, Pierre-Louis played for three seasons at N.C. State as a reserve defensive back. Also played for former Marshall quarterback Eric Kresser at The Benjamin School in Florida.
Zane Porter, LB, 6-3, 210, Ceredo, W.Va., Morehead State
Porter returns to the mix for the Thundering Herd defense after spending two seasons at Morehead State. While at Morehead State for the 2024 season, Porter played in all 12 games, logging 59 tackles with five tackles for loss. In 2023, Porter tallied 51 tackles in his first season with the Eagles. Prior to that, the Spring Valley product spent two seasons with the Herd.
Ian Ratliff, P, 5-11, 190, Humble, Texas, Texas
Ratliff comes to Marshall from Texas where he was a punter for the College Football Playoff semifinalist Texas Longhorns. In three games played for the Longhorns, Ratliff averaged 44.0 yards per punt with a long of 52 yards in his eight attempts. He had one punt inside the 20 and two 50+ yard punts on the season.
Jalil Rivera-Harvey, DL, 6-3, 300, Buffalo, N.Y., Western Kentucky
Rivera-Harvey returns to Marshall after transferring back to the Herd from Western Kentucky where he spent the 2024 season. Rivera-Harvey saw action in three games with six tackles on the season for the Hilltoppers. In 2023 while at Marshall, Rivera-Harvey had 16 tackles with a career-best seven against App State.
Morgan Scott, OL, 6-5, 300, Germantown, Tenn., Middle Tennessee
Scott comes to Marshall from Middle Tennessee where he will rejoin teammate Marvae Myers-Glover. Scott played in nine games with three starts on the offensive line for the Blue Raiders in 2024. In all, he played in 18 career games over three seasons with Middle Tennessee.
Robert Shockey, QB, 6-0, 175, Ona, W.Va., N.C. State
Shockey returns back to the Tri-State area as he joins Marshall's program after one year at N.C. State. While at N.C. State, Shockey did not appear in any game action, giving up a full compliment of years to play for the Herd. The former Cabell Midland standout reunites with former Knights teammate Cannon Lewis after both spent last season down in Raleigh with Coach Gibson.
Zavier Short, WR, 6-2, 210, Chapin, S.C., Appalachian State
Short stays in the Sun Belt after transferring to the Herd from SBC East rival App State. In 2024, Short appeared in seven games at wide receiver for the Mountaineers, including the Oct. 5 matchup against Marshall, but did not record any statistics. Prior to his time at App State, Short was with South Carolina's program for two seasons.
Cameron Smith, DB, 6-2, 200, Cleveland, Ohio, Jackson State
Smith joins Marshall from Jackson State and he will reunite with defensive teammate Tyas Martin in the process. Smith finished the 2024 season with 27 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Prior to Jackson State, Smith played in 25 games over two seasons at Eastern Michigan.
Darrell Sweeting, DB, 6-0, 185, West Palm Beach, Fla., Temple
Sweeting comes to Marshall from Temple where he spent two seasons prior to joining the Herd. In 2024, Sweeting saw action in four games at cornerback and on special teams, but was hampered by injuries the rest of the season. Played in high school at The Benjamin School for former Marshall quarterback Eric Kresser.
Aaron Tate, LS, 6-1, 245, Hurricane, W.Va., Glenville State
Tate comes to Marshall from Glenville State, which is the alma mater of head coach Tony Gibson. Used primarily as a longsnapper during his time at Glenville, Tate did not see action in 2024 after playing in all 10 games during the 2023 season. Tate's transfer gets him a little closer to home as he is a native of Hurricane, W.Va.
Boogie Trotter, DB, 5-10, 185, Nashville, Tenn., Tennessee State
Trotter is a do-it-all defensive back from Tennessee State who brings some experience and playmaking ability to the back end of the Herd defense. In 2024, Trotter finished with 62 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1.0 sacks, a forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, three interceptions and seven pass breakups.
Ben Turner, WR, 5-9, 175, Huntington, W.Va., West Liberty
Turner comes back to his hometown after going to West Liberty out of high school. In 2024, Turner caught 46 passes for 854 yards and five touchdowns to serve as the Hilltoppers' leading receiver. Has 31 games of experience under his belt. Also one of several Spring Valley players to join the Thundering Herd for 2025.
Zion Turner, QB, 6-1, 205, Miami, Fla., Jacksonville State
Turner joins Marshall after serving as a quarterback for offensive coordinator Rod Smith at Jacksonville State. Saw action in one game in 2024. Prior to Jacksonville State, Turner played for UCONN where he led the Huskies to the 2022 Myrtle Beach Bowl, which was against Marshall. In that season he played all 13 games, throwing for 1,407 yards and nine touchdowns while also rushing for 262 yards and a score.
Jamaal Whyce, Jr., DL, 6-4, 299, Miami, Fla., South Carolina
Whyce comes to Marshall from South Carolina where he spent three years in the program. In three seasons, Whyce appeared in seven games as a reserve defensive tackle. He had four tackles during his three seasons with South Carolina.
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