Alright ladies and gents......You've been waiting on some insight so here are some things to look for tomorrow.
Clearly #14 Cam Fancher is starting the game, but I'd expect at least 1 or 2 other QB's to see the field tomorrow as well. For me, I'd have to think those 1 or 2 would come from the trio of #13 TJ McMahon (Rice), #8 Colin Parachek, or #12 Cole Pennington. I'd say McMahon has the edge but it's a slim margin IMO.
At RB, wait til you see #22 Rasheen Ali! Dude is locked in and in incredible shape. I think we'll see more of #22 Ethan Payne and #25 AJ Turnertomorrow, but I really like #21 Antwan Roberts (JUCO). He's a downhill guy with some attitude.
At WR, you guys are going to like #4 DeMarcus Harris (UK transfer). I'll reiterate what I've been saying since last year. I think #10 Chuck Montgomery has a chance to be really damn good here. I think this group took a step forward overall. I will say this with very tempered expectations, but we may finally see the arrival of #9 Bryan Robinson and #7 Caleb Coombs. Again.....tempered!
At TE, I think #83 Cade Conley (Central Mich) and #88 Rahmod Smith (FAU) are two guys to watch. Smith is a more athletic version of Armani Levias and Conley just looks like a TE.
At OL, you guys already know about #52 Ethan Driskell, #55 Trent Holler, #65 Logan Osburn, and #68 Dalton Tucker. The next two names to watch up front will be #58 Altrique Barlow (TCU) and #51 Lloyd Willis (FSU). I will say, our OL is massive this year averaging about 317lbs between those six guys. The line itself has been reorganized a little bit and you'll see that tomorrow. I think it's made a difference.
Defensively, the new names to watch along the front are #54 Kylen McCracken (Ohio), #7 Chris Thomas (Florida), #15 Mike Green (UVA), and #88 Brandon McElroy (ASU). McCracken and McElroy both bring a steady presence to the room, but I think Thomas and Green (especially) have big futures at Marshall. Green is a freak!!!!
At LB, I think we'll see the biggest impacts early on from #44 KeSean Brown (App St) and #14 Stephen Dix Jr (FSU). Both of those guys can run! Speaking of, I think this defense will be the fastest we've had since 2014. #7 Tah Mac Bright (JUCO)is a guy that has all the tools to be really good as well. I his play will improve as the year goes on. Possibly the biggest surprise here for me is #25 J'Coryan Anderson though. Anderson has worked himself into a starting role alongside Eli Neal after not seeing the field as much early on in his career.
In the secondary, I think this group COULD be very, very good. They're long. They're athletic. They compete. #11 JJ Roberts (Wake Forest), although new to the roster, provides a quiet leadership from the safety position. #13 Daytione Smith has shifted back to safety alongside Roberts, and I really think it's made us faster. #23 Jahsen Wint (Ohio St), #3 Ish Ibraheem (Texas), and #1 Josh Moten (Texas A&M) will all undoubtedly see the field. I actually think Ibraheem will start opposite Micah Abraham and either Wint or Moten could see the majority of the time at the nickel. Two names I think that are wild cards here are #18 AG McGheeand #41 Ahmere Foster. Both displayed playmaking ability throughout camp.
At Kicker, I think we'll see both guys (#90 Rece Verhoff and #99 Kameron Lake) kick tomorrow. I will say this much, length may no longer be an issue with our kicking game. I witnessed both guys make kicks from 50-plus (Verhoff from 58).
The punting game is still in #45 John McConnell'shands, but that could change as the season goes on. Huff went all the way to the Land From Down Under to recruit a punter (to be named later) and by most accounts, he has a monster leg.
The return game will likely be in the hands of #1 Talik Keaton and #3 Mason Pierce (McNeese St). Pierce is a small, shifty guy that looks like a water bug out there. He could be fun!
Feel free to hit me with any questions that you may have, and I'll answer them the best I can. If I don't respond, it's simply because I don't feel like I can speak on the topic.
See you guys tomorrow!
Clearly #14 Cam Fancher is starting the game, but I'd expect at least 1 or 2 other QB's to see the field tomorrow as well. For me, I'd have to think those 1 or 2 would come from the trio of #13 TJ McMahon (Rice), #8 Colin Parachek, or #12 Cole Pennington. I'd say McMahon has the edge but it's a slim margin IMO.
At RB, wait til you see #22 Rasheen Ali! Dude is locked in and in incredible shape. I think we'll see more of #22 Ethan Payne and #25 AJ Turnertomorrow, but I really like #21 Antwan Roberts (JUCO). He's a downhill guy with some attitude.
At WR, you guys are going to like #4 DeMarcus Harris (UK transfer). I'll reiterate what I've been saying since last year. I think #10 Chuck Montgomery has a chance to be really damn good here. I think this group took a step forward overall. I will say this with very tempered expectations, but we may finally see the arrival of #9 Bryan Robinson and #7 Caleb Coombs. Again.....tempered!
At TE, I think #83 Cade Conley (Central Mich) and #88 Rahmod Smith (FAU) are two guys to watch. Smith is a more athletic version of Armani Levias and Conley just looks like a TE.
At OL, you guys already know about #52 Ethan Driskell, #55 Trent Holler, #65 Logan Osburn, and #68 Dalton Tucker. The next two names to watch up front will be #58 Altrique Barlow (TCU) and #51 Lloyd Willis (FSU). I will say, our OL is massive this year averaging about 317lbs between those six guys. The line itself has been reorganized a little bit and you'll see that tomorrow. I think it's made a difference.
Defensively, the new names to watch along the front are #54 Kylen McCracken (Ohio), #7 Chris Thomas (Florida), #15 Mike Green (UVA), and #88 Brandon McElroy (ASU). McCracken and McElroy both bring a steady presence to the room, but I think Thomas and Green (especially) have big futures at Marshall. Green is a freak!!!!
At LB, I think we'll see the biggest impacts early on from #44 KeSean Brown (App St) and #14 Stephen Dix Jr (FSU). Both of those guys can run! Speaking of, I think this defense will be the fastest we've had since 2014. #7 Tah Mac Bright (JUCO)is a guy that has all the tools to be really good as well. I his play will improve as the year goes on. Possibly the biggest surprise here for me is #25 J'Coryan Anderson though. Anderson has worked himself into a starting role alongside Eli Neal after not seeing the field as much early on in his career.
In the secondary, I think this group COULD be very, very good. They're long. They're athletic. They compete. #11 JJ Roberts (Wake Forest), although new to the roster, provides a quiet leadership from the safety position. #13 Daytione Smith has shifted back to safety alongside Roberts, and I really think it's made us faster. #23 Jahsen Wint (Ohio St), #3 Ish Ibraheem (Texas), and #1 Josh Moten (Texas A&M) will all undoubtedly see the field. I actually think Ibraheem will start opposite Micah Abraham and either Wint or Moten could see the majority of the time at the nickel. Two names I think that are wild cards here are #18 AG McGheeand #41 Ahmere Foster. Both displayed playmaking ability throughout camp.
At Kicker, I think we'll see both guys (#90 Rece Verhoff and #99 Kameron Lake) kick tomorrow. I will say this much, length may no longer be an issue with our kicking game. I witnessed both guys make kicks from 50-plus (Verhoff from 58).
The punting game is still in #45 John McConnell'shands, but that could change as the season goes on. Huff went all the way to the Land From Down Under to recruit a punter (to be named later) and by most accounts, he has a monster leg.
The return game will likely be in the hands of #1 Talik Keaton and #3 Mason Pierce (McNeese St). Pierce is a small, shifty guy that looks like a water bug out there. He could be fun!
Feel free to hit me with any questions that you may have, and I'll answer them the best I can. If I don't respond, it's simply because I don't feel like I can speak on the topic.
See you guys tomorrow!