Courtesy of @Zac Arrowood
Marshall Spring Preview: Linebackers
With the Thundering Herd beginning spring practice on March 28th, HerdNation will be taking an in-depth look at each of Marshall’s position groups. While there is a lot to be excited about heading into the spring, there are still several giant question marks looming over the roster. Last up are the linebackers.
What We Know: Eli Neal, Abraham Beauplan and Charlie Gray.
This trio of Neal, Beauplan, and Gray, return for another season after combining for 261 tackles and eight sacks during 2021. All three had composite PFF grades in the 70’s for the 2021 season with Gray at 77.8 on 366 snaps, Beauplan at 76.0 on 646 snaps and Neal at 74.6 on 806 snaps. The production speaks for itself, but there is also a lot of veteran leadership that this unit provides on the defensive side of the ball. As with the defensive line, Marshall will need the linebacker corps to play well early while the offense finds its legs.
Biggest Question: Who Is Next In Line?
Aside from Neal, Beauplan, and Gray, Marshall only had one returning linebacker play over 100 snaps in 2021. That was J’Coryan Anderson who totaled 131. With Beauplan being a redshirt senior and Gray playing his sixth year, the spring will be an opportunity to establish depth for the future. Anderson figures to be in the mix for additional playing time in 2022, but who else will rise to the occasion?
Spring Dark Horse: Leon Hart, Jr.
This was extremely difficult to choose, as I debated between three different players. Let’s start with the two I did not pick.
Tyriek Bell: Bell was the feel-good story of the 2021 signing class. After having spent time four years in the marines, he spent time at Saddleback Community College before arriving in Huntington. With his military background and age, many felt Bell would make an immediate impact on the field in 2021, however he did not log a single snap. Is 2022 the year that Bell’s impact is felt?
Khalil Khatib: Not much is known about Khatib other than he is a transfer from Methodist University and led the team in tackles for loss during the 2018 season. Khatib then missed 2019 due to injury and appears on the 2020-2021 roster for Methodist but is not credited with any stats. This pick would have been a shot in the dark, but as a sixth-year player boasting nice size, perhaps 2022 will be the year of Khatib?
Leon Hart, Jr.: I said the same thing about Isaiah Gordon on the offensive side of the ball, but if you have not watched any film on Hart, please stop reading this and do it right now. Hart is a physical linebacker who loves contact. Not to mention he was coached by Luther Campbell, or Uncle Luke of 2 Live Crew, at Miami Edison High School. Hart picked Marshall over a slew of top-tier FBS programs and has the benefit of getting additional reps by being on campus for spring practice as a freshman. While Hart will not overtake Neal, Beauplan, or Gray, I look for him to earn value reps on special teams while playing his way into the linebacker rotation in 2023.
Marshall Spring Preview: Linebackers
With the Thundering Herd beginning spring practice on March 28th, HerdNation will be taking an in-depth look at each of Marshall’s position groups. While there is a lot to be excited about heading into the spring, there are still several giant question marks looming over the roster. Last up are the linebackers.
What We Know: Eli Neal, Abraham Beauplan and Charlie Gray.
This trio of Neal, Beauplan, and Gray, return for another season after combining for 261 tackles and eight sacks during 2021. All three had composite PFF grades in the 70’s for the 2021 season with Gray at 77.8 on 366 snaps, Beauplan at 76.0 on 646 snaps and Neal at 74.6 on 806 snaps. The production speaks for itself, but there is also a lot of veteran leadership that this unit provides on the defensive side of the ball. As with the defensive line, Marshall will need the linebacker corps to play well early while the offense finds its legs.
Biggest Question: Who Is Next In Line?
Aside from Neal, Beauplan, and Gray, Marshall only had one returning linebacker play over 100 snaps in 2021. That was J’Coryan Anderson who totaled 131. With Beauplan being a redshirt senior and Gray playing his sixth year, the spring will be an opportunity to establish depth for the future. Anderson figures to be in the mix for additional playing time in 2022, but who else will rise to the occasion?
Spring Dark Horse: Leon Hart, Jr.
This was extremely difficult to choose, as I debated between three different players. Let’s start with the two I did not pick.
Tyriek Bell: Bell was the feel-good story of the 2021 signing class. After having spent time four years in the marines, he spent time at Saddleback Community College before arriving in Huntington. With his military background and age, many felt Bell would make an immediate impact on the field in 2021, however he did not log a single snap. Is 2022 the year that Bell’s impact is felt?
Khalil Khatib: Not much is known about Khatib other than he is a transfer from Methodist University and led the team in tackles for loss during the 2018 season. Khatib then missed 2019 due to injury and appears on the 2020-2021 roster for Methodist but is not credited with any stats. This pick would have been a shot in the dark, but as a sixth-year player boasting nice size, perhaps 2022 will be the year of Khatib?
Leon Hart, Jr.: I said the same thing about Isaiah Gordon on the offensive side of the ball, but if you have not watched any film on Hart, please stop reading this and do it right now. Hart is a physical linebacker who loves contact. Not to mention he was coached by Luther Campbell, or Uncle Luke of 2 Live Crew, at Miami Edison High School. Hart picked Marshall over a slew of top-tier FBS programs and has the benefit of getting additional reps by being on campus for spring practice as a freshman. While Hart will not overtake Neal, Beauplan, or Gray, I look for him to earn value reps on special teams while playing his way into the linebacker rotation in 2023.
