The Marshall Thundering Herd quietly have a strong NFL Draft history, with multiple first-rounders and second-rounders … and a Hall of Famer in Randy Moss. But after a quiet 2023 NFL Draft cycle, they need to get back on the board. Do they have the talent to do it in 2024?
Marshall Thundering Herd NFL Draft Prospects
Charles Huff handled Marshall’s first year in the Sun Belt with aplomb, helping the Thundering Herd to a 9-4 record and a bowl victory. The Marshall program has been one of the most consistent Group of Five competitors for the last decade, and even amidst change in 2023, things should stay the same this coming season.
Marshall did lose a number of standout players on both sides of the ball to the 2023 NFL Draft cycle — among them running back Khalan Laborn, offensive linemen Kendrick Sartor and Cedrice Paillant, and cornerback Steven Gilmore. They also lost several players to the transfer portal, including leading receiver Corey Gammage.
All this being said, the Thundering Herd have a number of intriguing options competing at the QB spot. Rasheen Ali, the team’s star running back, will be back to full health in 2023. And the defense still has standouts like Owen Porter, Eli Neal, and Micah Abraham. It’s safe to say Huff’s squad will once again compete in Sun Belt play.
Rasheen Ali, RB
Heading into the season, the Thundering Herd’s top 2024 NFL Draft prospect is Ali. Ali, who’s listed at around 6’0″, 209 pounds, was dominant in 2021, recording 1,401 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns on 250 carries, as well as 45 catches for 334 yards and an additional score.
He’s a capable receiver and a willing pass protector, but the brunt of his appeal comes from his running style. He has explosiveness, speed, and elastic creative freedom but magnifies those traits with his sharp vision and taste for contact.
TyQaze Leggs, DT
Marshall’s most established presence on the interior defensive line is TyQaze Leggs — a two-year starter who transferred from Austin Peay after the 2020 season. In 2022, Leggs put up 24 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks and was a consistent disruptive force for the Thundering Herd.
At 6’2″, 300 pounds, Leggs has a good combination of natural leverage and proportional length. He has the reach and mass to drive power and the motor to fight through blocks.
Jayshaun Coffman, DT
Jayshaun Coffman entered the transfer portal earlier this offseason, and to this point, he hasn’t appeared to land at a new destination or retract his name. So until Coffman’s situation is resolved, we’ll list him here as a prospect to watch.
Though he played sparingly throughout the 2022 season, he provided bright flashes in big moments, such as the team’s upset win over Notre Dame. At 6’5″, 283 pounds, he’s long, explosive, and well-leveraged in close quarters.
Owen Porter, EDGE
Owen Porter emerged as an all-conference performer for the Thundering Herd in 2022, racking up 60 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 15 TFLs, an interception, two pass deflections, and two forced fumbles.
That production is already a promising indicator for his 2024 NFL Draft aspirations, and the 6’3″, 237-pound rusher has talent as well. His change of direction isn’t elite, but he has enough burst to threaten the apex, and he can win with forceful swims.
Eli Neal, LB
For three seasons and counting, Eli Neal has been one of the top second-level defenders on the Group of Five stage. Across the three-year span from 2020 to 2022, he amassed 269 tackles, 21.5 TFLs, 10 sacks, three interceptions, seven pass deflections, a forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries.
At 6’0″, 226 pounds, Neal is a bit lighter than average, but he shows off eye-catching closing burst in the box, and he has the quick reaction speed to adapt as plays progress.
Micah Abraham, CB
If there’s one defensive player you should keep an eye on within Marshall’s ranks, it’s defensive back Micah Abraham. The 5’11’, 185-pound CB broke out in 2021 with an interception and 14 pass breakups, and in 2022, he was one of the nation’s leading pass defenders, amassing six picks and 10 pass deflections.
Despite his listed size, Abraham has good proportional length, a wide disruption radius, smooth athleticism, and impressive route-recognition ability — all of which make him a potentially draftable prospect.
J.J. Roberts, S
The Thundering Herd will have reinforcements coming in the secondary from the Power Five ranks, with J.J. Roberts joining the team from Wake Forest. The 5’11”, 190-pound Roberts showed off his ball-hawking ability over the top in 2022, with seven pass deflections in just 10 games.
Roberts has cornerback experience as well, but his fluidity has proven to be an asset when managing space in intermediate zones.
Kerion Martin, S
With Roberts serving as the field safety, the Marshall Thundering Herd can count on Kerion Martin as the returning enforcer in the box. At 6’1″, 209 pounds, Martin easily has the size to flourish in that role, and he proved his mettle in 2022, racking up 42 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and a forced fumble.
Though he hasn’t displayed much playmaking utility in coverage, Martin’s play strength can be a lot for ball carriers to deal with in solo battles.
Other Notable Names
- TJ McMahon, QB
- Charles Montgomery, WR
- DeMarcus Harris, WR
- Talik Keaton, WR
- Ethan Driskell, OT
- Logan Osburn, C
- Landyn Watson, EDGE
- Sam Burton, EDGE
- Myles Bell, CB
- Daytione Smith, DB
Marshall Thundering Herd Schedule
- Week 1
BYE - Week 2
Sept. 2: vs. Albany Great Danes - Week 3
Sept. 9: at East Carolina Pirates - Week 4
BYE - Week 5
Sept. 23: vs. Virginia Tech Hokies - Week 6
Sept. 30: vs. Old Dominion Monarchs - Week 7
Oct. 7: at NC State Wolfpack - Week 8
Oct. 14: at Georgia State Panthers - Week 9
Oct. 19: vs. James Madison Dukes - Week 10
Oct. 28: at Coastal Carolina Chanticleers - Week 11
Nov. 4: at Appalachian State Mountaineers - Week 12
Nov. 11: vs. Georgia Southern Eagles - Week 13
Nov. 18: at South Alabama Jaguars - Week 14
Nov. 25: vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves - Week 15
BYE