Marshall Football Announces National Signing Day Class of 2026

National Signing Day Press Conference – Livestream at 3 p.m.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football coach Tony Gibson officially announced the addition of 43 players to the Thundering Herd family on Wednesday as part of National Signing Day 2026 festivities.

Many of the Herd's 43 signees are enrolled for the Spring 2026 semester and will take part in Spring football for the Thundering Herd, which starts on March 3.

"We are excited to add players to the Marshall Football family and to have these guys enrolled in school and ready to go for the spring," Gibson said. "This signing class addressed many of our needs and we have guys who can contribute immediately. The excitement for us is now seeing these guys on the field with spring practice less than a month away. It's time to get to work."

Among Marshall's 43 signees, nine players were in the secondary, nine players were offensive linemen and eight were defensive linemen. The Herd also added six wide receivers.

Here is a list of Marshall Football's current Class of 2026 signees, followed by capsule information on each signee:

Class of 2026 - H.S. Signees (15)

Dylan Barber, QB, 5-11, 189, LaGrange, Ga., LaGrange H.S.
Aidan Burke, WR, 6-0, 190, Matewan, W.Va., Mingo Central H.S.
Brennan Chambers, WR, 6-3, 170, Goldsboro, N.C., Kinston H.S.
Brysen Davies, LB, 6-0, 210, Newnan, Ga., Northgate H.S.
Zeke Gunn, S, 6-0, 200, Orlando, Fla., Orlando Christian Prep H.S.
Cooper Heimbach, K/P, 6-0, 190, Wheelersburg, Ohio, Wheelersburg H.S.
Jaycee Houston II, DB, 6-2, 175, Cincinnati, Ohio, Withrow H.S.
Tristan Lester, DB, 5-10, 193, Alpharetta, Ga., Milton H.S.
Justyn Lyles, OL, 6-4, 260, Cincinnati, Ohio, Withrow H.S.
Andre Parker, LB, 5-10, 188, Cincinnati, Ohio, Princeton H.S.
Mason Ramsey, OL, 6-3, 285, Huntington, W.Va., Huntington H.S.
William Sandfoss, OL, 6-5, 280, Newport, Ky., Newport Cent. Catholic H.S.
Jae'von White, OL, 6-6, 300, Rockledge, Fla., Rockledge H.S.
Drew Williams, WR, 6-2, 205, Washington, D.C., St. Johns College H.S.
Riley Winkler, LS, 6-4, 190, Detroit, Mich., Univ. of Detroit Jesuit H.S.

Class of 2026 – Transfer Signees (27)

Kendell Anderson, DB, 6-1, 203, Silver Springs, Md., Morgan State
Xavier Bausley, OL, 6-4, 312, South Charleston, W.Va., WVU
BJ Carter, DL, 6-2, 316, Middleburg, Fla., Iowa State
Chris Culliver, WR, 6-1, 194, Maiden, N.C., UNC
Jorge Nicolas Diaz, K, Madrid, Spain, Virginia
Aumad Edwards, CB, Villa Hills, Ky., Kentucky
JT Fagan, OL, 6-7, 295, Florence, Ala., Northeast Mississippi C.C.
Cole Funderburk, DL, 6-3, 229, Suwanee, Ga., Wake Forest
Brayden Hall, CB, 5-11, 169, Chicago, Ill., Cent. Connecticut State
Christian Hamilton, WR, 6-0, 181, Harrisburg, N.C., WVU
Kenyatta Hardge, DL, 6-1, 299, Lexington, Ky., Kentucky
Terrente Hinton, DB, 6-2, 200, Mobile, Ala., NC State
Simeon John, DL, 6-1, 281, Dacula, Ga., UVA Wise
Jaquez Joiner, OL, 6-1, 288, Cocoa, Fla., UCF
Jaquez Keyes, 6-0, 211, Ironton, Ohio, Northwest Mississippi C.C.
TJ Lester, RB, 5-9, 206, Milton, Ga., West Georgia
Robby Martin, OL, 6-3, 296, Huntington, W.Va., WVU
Kelvon McBride, EDGE, 6-2, 222, Mobile, Ala., NC State
Charles McCartherens, CB, 5-10, 181, Kennesaw, Ga., Buffalo
Terry Nwabuisi-Ezeala, DL, 6-1, 329, Munich, Germany, Vanderbilt
Chase Ortiz, LS, 6-1, 211, Davie, Fla., Stetson
Keydel Painter, EDGE, 6-3, 229, Norfolk, Va., Virginia Union
Eddie Pleasant III, CB, 5-11, 183, Tampa, Fla., Buffalo
Owen Sweeney, WR, 6-3, 195, Roanoke, Va., VMI
Jamarion Wilcox, RB, 5-9, 185, Douglasville, Ga., Kentucky
Khalil Wilkins, QB, 6-4, 203, Washington, D.C., WVU
Mickel Williams, DL, 6-3,286, Nocatee, Fla., UTSA

Marshall Football – Class of 2026 Capsules

2026 High School Signees (15)

Dylan Barber, QB, 5-11, 189, LaGrange, Ga., LaGrange H.S.
Barber comes to Marshall from LaGrange H.S. where he threw for 858 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for 820 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Committed to Marshall in December 2025, choosing the Herd over offers from Army, Georgia Southern, Jacksonville State and Kennesaw State.

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. 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. 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 52^nd-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 with 3.5 sacks and 2.0 interceptions for Northgate H.S. Davies finished with at least 10 tackles in all 11 games in 2025. The 6-0, 210-pound talent from Newnan, Ga., chose Marshall over Army, Navy and Georgia State.

Zeke 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.

Cooper Heimbach, K/P, 6-0, 190, Wheelersburg, Ohio, Wheelersburg H.S.
Heimbach stays close to home in joining the Thundering Herd after a standout kicking career at Wheelersburg H.S. Heimbach was named as a 2025 Maxpreps 1^st team All-American and was also ranked as the 10^th-ranked punter in the Class of 2026. Chose Marshall over offers from Ohio and Akron.

Jaycee Houston II, 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. Out of 19 offers overall, he chose Marshall over WVU, 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, EKU 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 10^th 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.

2026 Transfer Signees (28)

Kendell Anderson, DB, 6-1, 203, Silver Spring, Md., Morgan State
Appeared in 11 games for Morgan State in the 2025 season, recording 11 tackles with a pass breakup and a forced fumble. As a defensive back, Anderson boasted of the fewest yards allowed per snap in coverage in the MEAC in 2025. Played for the Bears for two seasons. He appeared in one game in the 2024 season and redshirted. Signed with Morgan State out of Blair H.S.

Xavier Bausley, OL, 6-4, 312, South Charleston, W.Va., WVU
Bausley comes to Marshall from WVU where he appeared in eight games in 2025. In two seasons at WVU, he appeared in 13 games. Prior to his time at WVU, Bausley was at Jacksonville State where he started 11 games in 2023 for the Gamecocks and was named as a Freshman All-American Second Team selection by The Athletic, helping anchor one of the nation's best rushing attacks under current Marshall offensive coordinator Rod Smith.

B.J. Carter, DL, 6-2, 316, Middleburg, Fla., Iowa State
Carter joins Marshall's defensive line room after transferring from Iowa State where he did not see game action in the 2025 season. Signed with the Cyclones out of Middleburg H.S. in Florida where he was a three-star prospect and a top-150 defensive lineman nationally. During his senior year at Middleburg, he recorded 46 tackles with 7.0 sacks and nine QB hurries.

Chris Culliver, WR, 6-1, 194, Maiden, N.C., North Carolina
Culliver comes to Marshall from North Carolina where he appeared in six games last season before redshirting. In 2024, he appeared in all 12 games with six catches for 135 yards and a score. Out of Maiden H.S., he was considered a 4-star prospect and the nation's No. 109 overall prospect. He was the 18^th-best WR and the No. 6 player in all of NC by On3.

Jorge Nicolas Diaz, K, 6-4, 235, Madrid, Spain, Virginia
Nicolas Diaz comes to Marshall from Virginia where he spent the 2025 season as a redshirt. He attended Saint James School in Maryland in 2024 and was 15 of 19 on field goal attempts with a long of 53 yards and had 45 touchbacks on kickoffs. He also served as the team's punter with 22 punts on the season – 7 of which went inside the 20-yard line. He was ranked No. 14 in the 2025 Kohl's Kicker rankings.

Aumad Edwards, CB, 5-10, 170, Villa Hills, Ky., Kentucky
Edwards comes to Marshall from Kentucky where he spent one season with the Wildcats as a true freshman. Prior to joining Kentucky's program, he was a standout for David Brossart at Dixie Heights, earning the team's Defensive MVP Award as a senior. Also was a standout track athlete for Dixie Heights.

J.T. Fagan, OL, 6-7, 295, Florence, Ala., Northeast Mississippi C.C.
Fagan comes to Marshall 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.

Cole Funderburk, DL, 6-3, 229, Suwanee, Ga., Wake Forest
Funderburk joins the Thundering Herd from Wake Forest where he redshirted last season. Was ranked as a three-star transfer prospect for this portal class and was a three-star prospect out of North Gwinnett (Ga.) H.S. where he recorded 62 tackles, including 34 tackles for loss and 10 sacks during his senior season.

Logan Greer, OL, 6-3, 290, Pittsburgh, Pa., California (Pa.) University
Greer comes to Marshall from Cal U. (Pa.) where he appeared in 16 games over three seasons, including all 13 games in 2025. Greer played high school football at North Hills (Pa.). The Pittsburgh native was a Class 5A First Team All-Conference selection there.

Brayden Hall, CB, 5-11, 169, Chicago, Ill., Cent. Connecticut State
Hall comes to Marshall from Central Connecticut State where he started in all 13 games, logging 51 tackles with 10 pass breakups and one forced fumble last season. He chose Marshall over UConn and Toledo.

Christian Hamilton, WR 6-0, 181, Harrisburg, Pa., WVU
Hamilton comes to Marshall from West Virginia University after one season with the Mountaineers in which he played in five games. Prior to his time at WVU, Hamilton played at North Carolina where he played in eight games. Hamilton was a four-star prospect and All-American Bowl honoree out of Hickory Ridge H.S.

Kenyatta Hardge II, DL, 6-1, 299, Lexington, Ky., Kentucky
Hardge joins the Thundering Herd defensive line room after spending the last two seasons at Kentucky. Played in all 13 games on special teams in 2025. First career tackle came against Ohio in 2024. Signed with Kentucky out of Lexington Christian H.S. where he totaled 50 tackles with 21.5 tackles for loss during his senior season.

Terrente Hinton, DB, 6-2, 200, Mobile, Ala., NC State
Hinton joins fellow Herd teammate Kelvon McBride as players who join the Herd from NC State for 2026. Spent three seasons with the Wolfpack but did not see game action in 2025. Played in all 13 games in 2024 and has 14 career games to his credit to go along with 16 career tackles.

Simeon John, DL, 6-1, 281, Dacula, Ga., UVA Wise
John comes to the Thundering Herd from UVA Wise where he appeared in 10 games and recorded 30 tackles with three tackles for loss and a pass breakup in 2025. Spent two years at UVA Wise and has 15 career appearances to his credit. Went to high school at Hebron Christian Academy in Georgia.

Jaquez Joiner, OL, 6-1, 288, Cocoa, Fla., UCF
Joiner comes to Marshall from UCF where he played in one game for the Knights in the 2025 season. Joiner was ranked as a three-star transfer portal prospect for the Class of 2026 and was a three-star prospect out of H.S. as well. Was a standout offensive lineman for Cocoa H.S. in Florida, leading his team to a 2023 state championship.

Jaquez Keyes, 6-0, 211, Ironton, Ohio, Northwest Mississippi C.C.
Keyes returns to the Tri-State after spending the last two seasons at Northwest Mississippi C.C. where he played in 20 games and rushed for 534 yards with three touchdowns. Keyes originally signed with Wake Forest, but later transferred to Kentucky before heading to Northwest Mississippi. Keyes played for three seasons at Ironton H.S., winning a state championship in 2022.

T.J. Lester, RB, 5-9, 206, Milton, Ga., West Georgia
Lester was rated as a three-star transfer portal prospect by 247 after a 2025 season in which he rushed for 432 yards and six touchdowns as a true freshman at West Georgia.

Robby Martin, OL, 6-3, 296, Huntington, W.Va., WVU
Martin comes to Marshall from West Virginia where he played in one game in 2025. Transferred to WVU from N.C. State where he saw action in one game against Stanford as a true freshman then redshirted. Returns home to Huntington after being a standout for head coach Billy Seals at Huntington High School. Was a four-star prospect for the Highlanders and the No. 1 prospect in West Virginia. Was ranked as the No. 28 interior lineman nationally in his recruiting class.

Kelvon McBride, EDGE, 6-2, 222, Mobile, Ala., NC State
McBride reunites with several familiar faces on the Herd staff after transferring from NC State. In 2025, he saw action in eight games, recording five tackles for the Wolfpack. Has 22 career games and 19 career tackles to his credit. Was a three-star prospect out of H.S. and was ranked as the No. 34 player in Alabama in his class. Had 144 tackles in his final two seasons at Cottage Hill Christian.

Charles McCartherens, CB, 5-10, 181, Kennesaw, Ga., Buffalo
McCartherens joins the Thundering Herd secondary after transferring to Marshall from Buffalo where he was a three-year starter for the Bulls. He chose to come to Marshall over Boise State and JMU. In 2025, he played in four games, registering nine tackles with a forced fumble and a sack. Has 75 career tackles and four interceptions to his credit in his collegiate career.

Terry Nwabuisi-Ezeala, Dl, 6-1, 329, Munich, Germany, Vanderbilt
Nwabuisi-Ezeala comes to Marshall after spending the 2025 season at Vanderbilt where he did not appear in any games. He also spent the spring 2025 season at North Carolina. Coming out of Rabun Gap (Ga.), he was a three-star recruit as a defensive lineman. He is the younger brother of Chris Ezeala of the Baltimore Ravens.

Chase Ortiz, LS, 6-1, 211, Davie, Fla., Stetson
Ortiz comes to Marshall from Stetson where he played in 11 games last season. Prior to his time at Stetson, Ortiz was part of three state championship teams at St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida. He was also named a U.S. Army All-American.

Keydel Painter, EDGE, 6-3, 229, Norfolk, Va., Virginia Union
Painter comes to the Herd from Virginia Union where he spent the last two seasons. Was a standout athlete at I.C. Norcom H.S. in the Tidewater area prior to signing with Virginia Union.

Eddie Pleasant III, CB, 5-11, 183, Tampa, Fla., Buffalo
Pleasant joins fellow Buffalo secondary teammate Charles McCartherens in transferring to the Herd for the 2026 season. After transferring to Buffalo from Michigan State in 2023, Pleasant appeared in 19 games with one start in two seasons with the Bulls. Has 12 tackles and five pass breakups to his credit.

Owen Sweeney, WR, 6-3, 195, Roanoke, Va., VMI
Sweeney joins Marshall's program after becoming one of the most dominant FCS players in the country in 2025 while at VMI. Sweeney finished with 44 receptions for 723 yards and eight touchdowns as he led the Keydets' offense.

Jamarion Wilcox, RB, 5-9, 185, Douglasville, Ga., Kentucky
Wilcox comes to Marshall from Kentucky where he did not see any action in the 2025 season. In 2024, Wilcox exploded onto the scene, seeing action in all 12 games with four starts to his credit. In that 2024 campaign, he led Kentucky with 590 yards on 92 carries while adding a pair of touchdowns. Originally out of South Paulding H.S., in Georgia, Wilcox was regarded as a four-star prospect and the No. 9 RB in the country and No. 8 player in Georgia.

Khalil Wilkins, QB, 6-4, 203, Washington, D.C., West Virginia University
Wilkins comes to Marshall from WVU where he saw action in several games, including a matchup with BYU in which he accounted for 170 yards of offense. Out of Theodore Roosevelt H.S., Wilkins was rated as a consensus three-star recruit. ESPN had him as the No. 22 quarterback in his draft class, as well as a top-25 recruit out of Maryland.

Mickel Williams, DL, 6-3, 286, Nocatee, Fla., UTSA
Williams joins the Thundering Herd from UTSA where he appeared in eight games in the 2025 season. Transferred to UTSA from Hutchinson C.C. in Kansas where he posted 21 tackles, including 5.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks in leading Hutchinson to the NJCAA Division I National Championship. Was a standout defensive lineman at Charlotte H.S. in Punta Gorda, Fla.

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Marshall Football Announces National Signing Day Class of 2026

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