After winning seasons in Charles Huff’s first two seasons at the helm of the Marshall Thundering Herd (7-6 in 2021, 9-4 in 2022), there was a slight regression for his team in 2023 with a 6-7 finish.
After some significant transfers in and out at key positions, most notably at quarterback, who are the Thundering Herd’s top 10 returning players in 2024?
Marshall Thundering Herd Top 10 Returning Players
10) Cole Pennington, QB
Even though the Herd’s starting quarterback from last season, Cam Fancher, is at FAU now, and two notable transfers behind center were brought in — Mitch Griffis from Wake Forest and Braylon Braxton from Tulsa — Cole Pennington remains on Marshall’s roster fighting for playing time.
Whether he wins the job or not, having a player of Pennington’s ability, experience, and pedigree available as a backup is a net positive for Marshall.
9) Chuck Montgomery, WR
Chuck Montgomery wasn’t a full-time starter, making just three starts in 10 appearances last season, but he made the most of his time off the bench.
On 20 catches all season, Montgomery hauled in three touchdowns and 269 yards receiving.
8) Isiah Gipson, DT
Listed at 6’4″, 324 pounds, Isiah Gipson started six games on the interior defensive line for Marshall.
Another player that played his first three seasons at Kentucky, Gipson enters his sixth season after racking up 29 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, and half a sack last year.
7) Cade Conley, TE
In his first season with extended playing time, Cade Conley caught 23 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore last season.
Despite much of the offense transferring, including fellow TEs Marcus Veles and Beau Blakenship, Conley stuck around and is cleared to take over for the new-look Thundering Herd offense next season.
6) DeMarcus Harris, WR
Starting his career at Kentucky, where he caught 30 passes for 327 yards across 39 games, DeMarcus Harris broke into the Herd’s rotation last season.
The senior from Florida caught 24 passes for 396 yards and a touchdown, averaging 16.5 yards per catch in 2023.
5) AG McGhee, S
After playing sparingly in five games as a true freshman in 2022, AG McGhee started six games last year, splitting time at safety with Kerion Martin. He registered 46 tackles, a pick, and four pass deflections in 11 games.
With Martin in the portal, McGhee is cleared to be the running mate with J.J. Roberts on the Herd’s backend.
4) Logan Osburn, C
Marshall has had the luxury of running back Rasheen Ali toting the rock for 2,831 yards the last few years, and that’s thanks in large part to ferocious offensive linemen like Logan Osborn.
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Initially a guard with six starts in 2021, Osburn started every game at center in 2022 and hasn’t looked back, earning a 2023 All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention after last season.
The 6’3″, 305-pound, sixth-year senior won’t have Ali to block for, but he’ll be back to make some room for Marshall’s runners in 2024.
3) TyQaze Leggs, DT
TyQaze Leggs has been a solid rotational piece for Marshall’s defensive line the last three seasons, amassing 97 tackles, 14 for a loss with six sacks in 32 games with the Herd. He registered 41 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and three sacks last year, earning a 2023 CFN All-Sun Belt Second Team selection.
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The 6’2″, 300-pound senior saw his role increase in 2023, and his leadership will be needed in Huntington with others on defense departing ahead of the 2024 college football campaign.
2) Mike Green, DE
With Owen Porter’s time with the Herd running out, Marshall has some big shoes to fill, and Mike Green is primed to do it.
After one season with Virginia, Green joined the Marshall program last year, playing in 13 games with 43 tackles, nine for a loss, and 4.5 sacks.
Porter accounted for 17.5 sacks and 42 tackles for a loss in his time at Marshall, but Green offers some decent recovery as the team moves on
1) J.J. Roberts, S
A part-time starter at Wake Forest his first three seasons (2020-22) with five starts in 31 games, J.J. Roberts transferred to Marshall and found a full-time role. In 10 starts last year, he grabbed two picks and finished second on the team with 73 tackles, earning a 2023 All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention.
With a free year as part of the 2020 COVID class, Roberts returns to the Herd as a fifth-year senior firmly established as a team leader.
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