Marshall Opts Out of Independence Bowl After Losing 29 Players to CFB Transfer Portal
Dec 14, 2024
COLUMBUS, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 21: Offensive lineman Logan Osburn #65 of the Marshall Thundering Herd lines up during the game Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
Marshall's 2024 football season has reportedly come to an unceremonious end.
Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reported that the school notified officials of its decision to opt out of the Independence Bowl. The Thundering Herd were set to play Army in that game on Dec. 28.
Marshall has notified officials that it is opting out of the Independence Bowl vs. Army, sources tell @YahooSports.
Absent of 6-6 teams, officials are working to determine a replacement thru a ranking of NCAA APR scores of 5-7 teams. Marshall has lost 25+ players in the portal.
The decision was made due to the program having lost 29 players to the transfer portal thus far. The officials will now look to add a new participant based on the NCAA APR scores of programs that went 5-7.
Some schools who will be up for consideration due to high APR scores include Cincinnati, Wisconsin, Air Force and Auburn.
The mass exodus comes after head coach Charles Huff left to take the same position at Southern Miss. He led Marshall to a 10-3 record this season and the team won the Sun Belt Conference.
Marshall hired Tony Gibson as Huff's replacement, and he is reportedly recruiting former Marshall players who are in the transfer portal. Some notable players who have entered are quarterbacks Braylon Braxton, Stone Earle, and Cole Pennington, as well as top rusher A.J. Turner.
The game would have featured two conference champions who clinched 10-win seasons but instead Army will take on a program that would not have traditionally made a bowl game due to its record.
Ethan Driskell NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Marshall OT
Apr 23, 2024
MOBILE, AL - FEBRUARY 03: National offensive lineman Ethan Driskell of Marshall (52) during the 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl on February 3, 2024 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'8"
WEIGHT: 313
HAND: 10½"
ARM: 35⅜"
WINGSPAN: 83½"
40-YARD DASH: N/A
3-CONE: N/A
SHUTTLE: N/A
VERTICAL: N/A
BROAD: N/A
POSITIVES
— Looks the part of an NFL OT with a well-proportioned, lean 6'8" frame with very good length.
— Functional mover with adequate quickness and agility.
— Has some pop in his hands to stun and halt rushers when he connects.
— Will strain and work to generate torque and steer defenders away from the ball on angle-drive blocks.
NEGATIVES
— Winds up when striking in pass protection, causing him to be tardy with his timing.
— Struggles to protect his frame and sit down against speed to power.
— Rudimentary run-blocking skill with a habit of leaning into contact and relying purely on size to wall off defenders.
— Operates in a gimmicky pass offense with minimal true pass sets and subsequently struggled to protect at the Senior Bowl
2023 STATISTICS
— 13 starts at left tackle
NOTES
— 0-star recruit from the 2019 class, per 247Sports
— Standout basketball player in high school in Kentucky, finishing second in the state in blocks per game as a junior (3.4) and was named all-region as a senior
— 26 career starts at left tackle
— Accepted his invite to the Senior Bowl
OVERALL
Ethan Driskell is a two-year starter at left tackle inside Marshall's balanced, quick-hitting, RPO/play-action heavy, zone-based scheme with some gap concepts sprinkled in. Driskell has a tall, well-proportioned and lean frame with room for additional mass, very good arm length, adequate athletic ability and power.
Driskell wins using his size and strain to wall off defenders in the run game on angle-drive blocks. However, he is a heavy leaner who struggles to finish with authority, partly based on the scheme he operated in that seemed to prioritize tempo over all else.
In pass protection, Driskell operated in a RPO- and play-action-heavy system with extensive screens and quick passes that allowed him to set aggressively the majority of the time and rely on his size to cover up rushers. On true pass sets, he is a wind-up striker who's looking to deliver jolt with his inside hand and delivers solid stopping power when he connects, but he struggles mightily to mirror, recovery and stay in front of countermoves.
Overall, Driskell has a towering frame and well-proportioned build with very good length. He works hard to stay attached to blocks and can blot out defenders once latched, which makes him worth bringing to camp. However, his subpar technical refinement and recovery skills will make it difficult for him to elevate beyond a backup.
GRADE: 5.4 (Backup/UDFA with Roster Potential — UDFA)
Rasheen Ali NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Marshall RB
Apr 11, 2024
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 18: Rasheen Ali #22 of the Marshall Thundering Herd avoids a tackle by Bralen Trahan #24 of the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns during the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at Caesars Superdome on December 18, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 5'11¼"
WEIGHT: 206
HAND: 8⅝"
ARM: 31¼"
WINGSPAN: 74⅜"
40-YARD DASH: N/A
3-CONE: N/A
SHUTTLE: N/A
VERTICAL: N/A
BROAD: N/A
POSITIVES
— Twitchy runner. Shows above-average explosion when making cuts and committing downhill to a rushing lane.
— Accelerates fairly well through the line of scrimmage. Can threaten the second and third levels quickly.
— Above-average flexibility and change of direction. Can bend and turn up the field seamlessly.
NEGATIVES
— Upright runner. Struggles to absorb contact and keep his legs churning.
— Not a commanding or physical runner overall.
— Tends to look to bounce outside runs. Sometimes plays too slow or hesitant to get upfield in those instances.
— 2021 first-team All-Conference USA, 2023 second-team All-Sun Belt
— Missed a majority of the 2022 season with a leg injury; ruptured a biceps tendon in January 2024
— Attended 2024 Senior Bowl
OVERALL
Rasheen Ali is a twitchy, flexible runner who may lack the decisiveness and balance to be a lead back in the NFL.
Ali primarily wins with explosiveness and quickness. He plays with fairly quick feet, allowing him to weave across the line of scrimmage at will. Moreover, Ali is quick to bend and cut up the field when he sees it. All of that movement is done in one seamless, explosive effort.
Ali also has good burst in the open field. Once he clears the line of scrimmage, he can accelerate to a solid top speed and really make defensive backs work to take the right angle on him. Ali is an effective runner on the perimeter because of that.
At the same time, Ali lacks the skills to dominate between the tackles. He is an upright runner who lacks good leg drive and balance. Not only is Ali easily tripped up at the ankles, but he is stopped on first contact more often than not. He can occasionally spin and wiggle out of trouble, but he doesn't often make it past first contact.
Additionally, Ali is not a commanding runner. He is sometimes hesitant to hit the hole downhill if he believes something may still open up on the outside. Even when Ali does take initiative downhill, he just doesn't have the strength or violence to make the most of it.
Ali is a quick-twitch back fit for a change-of-pace role in the NFL. His quickness and burst out on the edge will make him a nice changeup for teams with a heavier, stronger lead back. Ali would fit best in an outside-zone scheme that enables him to hunt for plays on the perimeter.
Marshall Suing Conference USA to Expedite Move to Sun Belt This Summer
Feb 23, 2022
HUNTINGTON, WV - DECEMBER 06: A Marshall Thundering Herd helmet as seen on the sideleine at Joan C. Edwards Stadium during the Conference USA championship game on December 6, 2014 in Huntington, West Virginia. The Thundering Herd defeat the Bulldogs 26-23. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Marshall University has filed a lawsuit against Conference USA in an effort to make its move to the Sun Belt Conference this summer.
According to ESPN's Heather Dinich, the suit was filed Tuesday through the Cabell County Circuit Court in Huntington, West Virginia, and Marshall's goal is to sever ties with Conference USA so it can play in the Sun Belt during the 2022 football season.
A Marshall athletics spokesperson released the following statement to ESPN as well:
"For more than two months, Marshall University has attempted to reach a resolution with Conference USA regarding our decision not to participate in the league after this academic year; however, no progress has been made. The action we brought yesterday is the beginning of litigation intended to protect our rights, help us reach an agreement in a timely manner and clear the way for our shift in conference affiliation. We look forward to a successful resolution of this matter and a bright future with the Sun Belt Conference."
Marshall, Old Dominion and Southern Miss all announced in June that they were leaving C-USA for the Sun Belt, but Conference USA still included all three teams in the 2022 football schedule it released this month.
Per Dinich, Conference USA filed a demand for arbitration this month, noting that in the league bylaws, a school must give the conference 14 months' notice before leaving.
Marshall claimed in its lawsuit that it informed C-USA it would be withdrawing from the conference on Nov. 1, Jan. 12 and Jan. 20. Marshall noted that it said specifically it would withdraw from Conference USA on July 1.
Additionally, Marshall said in the lawsuit that when it joined Conference USA, the league bylaws weren't attached to the agreement, and they didn't include mandatory arbitration in an instance of leaving the conference.
Marshall has played in Conference USA since 2005, following stints in the Mid-American Conference and Southern Conference. Marshall also played as an independent from 1970-76.
The Thundering Herd have been largely successful since joining C-USA, going 115-97 with 10 bowl appearances and one conference title.
Marshall won double-digit games in three consecutive seasons from 2013-15, and it has finished with a winning record in each of the past five seasons, including a 7-6 mark in 2021, which was the first season under head coach Charles Huff.
When the move to the Sun Belt becomes official for Marshall, Old Dominion and Southern Miss, they will join conference stalwarts such as Arkansas State, Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Louisiana and Troy.
Marshall RB Knowledge McDaniel Arrested, Facing Felony Drug Charge After Raid
Oct 8, 2021
HUNTINGTON, WV - OCTOBER 24: Marshall Thundering Herd running back Knowledge McDaniel (15) during pregame warm-ups prior to the college football game between the Florida Atlantic Owls and the Marshall Thundering Herd on October 24, 2020, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, WV. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Marshall running back Knowledge McDaniel was arrested and is facing a felony drug charge after police executed a search warrant at his home, per WSAZ.
Members of the Huntington Violent Crimes Drug Task Force found a "distributable amount of suspected marijuana and $21,017 in cash" at the player's home Friday.
McDaniel, 20, was held on a $50,000 bond, per Courtney Hessler of the Herald Dispatch.
"We're aware of the situation involving Knowledge McDaniel. He has been suspended indefinitely from our football program as we continue to gather all available information," Marshall Athletics said in a statement.
McDaniel is no longer listed on the team's online roster.
The Bradenton, Florida, product was in his third year with the program, initially committing to the school as a 3-star prospect in the 2019 class.
He rushed for 212 yards in five games last season and had 13 carries for 107 yards through four games in 2021. McDaniel's 8.2 yards per carry currently leads the team.
Former Marshall Football Player Jaquan Yulee Dies in Car Crash at Age 24
Jul 14, 2021
BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 06: Quarterback Hank Bachmeier #19 of the Boise State Broncos scrambles away from linebacker Jaquan Yulee #2 of the Marshal Thundering Herd during game half action on September 6, 2019 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game 14-7. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
Former Marshall linebacker Jaquan Yulee died Tuesday night in a car crash at the age of 24, police confirmed Wednesday, per Sarah Fearing of WAVY.com.
Police in Suffolk, Virginia, said emergency personnel responded to a single-vehicle crash at 7:10 p.m. ET and discovered a car had flipped onto its roof. Yulee was pronounced dead at the scene and was the only person in the vehicle.
Marshall released a statement Wednesday saying the Chesapeake, Virginia, native "will be missed by so many in the Thundering Herd":
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of former Marshall football student-athlete Jaquan Yulee. His energy and ability to connect with so many in our fanbase was exemplary. He will be missed by so many in the Thundering Herd. pic.twitter.com/ccnMotdOes
Coming out of high school, Yulee was a 4-star recruit and the third-best player in the state of Virginia, with offers from Alabama, Miami, Florida and Michigan among others, according to 247Sports' composite rankings.
The 6'4" defender redshirted as a true freshman and then made 26 appearances for the Thundering Herd between 2017 and 2018. He worked his way onto the starting unit ahead of the 2019 season but suffered a spinal injury in the season opener that left him paralyzed for two days, per Fearing, and required surgery.
According to Fearing, Marshall had declared him medically ineligible, but Yulee announced in August 2020 he was entering the transfer portal with an eye toward returning to the field for the 2021 season.
No. 16 Marshall Beats Middle Tennessee 42-14 on 50th Anniversary of Plane Crash
Nov 14, 2020
Marshall Thundering Herd quarterback Grant Wells (8) runs the ball during an NCAA football game against the Appalachian State Mountaineers on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 in Huntington, W.VA. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
Marshall stayed undefeated with a 42-14 win over Middle Tennessee State on Saturday, but the victory meant more for the program because of the date.
The win came on the 50th anniversary of the Nov. 14, 1970, plane crash that killed 75 people, including most of the team's players and coaches.
The players honored those who died with black uniforms and a No. 75 decal, with redshirt freshman quarterback Grant Wells and others holding their helmets high:
"We knew that this game was going to mean so much to this fanbase and this community," Wells said after the game, via ESPN. "That's huge, no matter wherever we're playing or whoever we're playing. The fact that we could do this on the 50th anniversary is amazing."
The anniversary was especially important for the program and the town—Huntington, West Virginia—that showed continued support after the disaster:
The Thundering Herd are 7-0 with three games left in the regular season. They're looking to join the 1999 team as the only undefeated squads in program history. They entered Week 11 ranked No. 16 in the Associated Press poll.
East Carolina vs. Marshall Moved to Aug. 29 to Honor 1970 Plane Crash Victims
Feb 20, 2020
A decal honoring the Memorial Fountain at Marshall University's student center adorns quarterback Jimmy Skinner's helmet Saturday, Nov. 19, 2005, in Huntington, W.Va. This year is the 35th anniversary of the crash of a chartered plane that took the lives of 75 players, coaches, staff members, community supporters and the flight crew returning from Marshall's game at East Carolina. Players are wearing the decals in memory of the lives lost. (AP Photo/Jeff Gentner)
The NCAA granted a waiver to East Carolina and Marshall to play their game Aug. 29, a week ahead of schedule, to honor victims of the 1970 plane crash that killed members of the Marshall football team.
"We plan to invite family members of the players from both teams who played in the game," East Carolina athletic directorJon Gilbert told ESPN's Chris Low. "Both programs will forever be linked, and we are honored to recognize the 75 people who lost their lives."
Seventy-five people died Nov. 14, 1970, when a plane carrying the Marshall football team from a game at East Carolina crashed. The universities felt airing the game ahead of the traditional Week 1 would allow it to get a more proper focus; ESPN has agreed to broadcast the game.
"Marshall University, the city of Huntington, WV and East Carolina University take great pride in never forgetting the people that gave their lives on that day and having an opportunity to show this on national television would be a great privilege," Marshall athletic director Mike Hamrick wrote in a letter to the NCAA.
The East Carolina-Marshall rivalry underwent an eight-year hiatus after the plane crash, resuming for one game in 1978 before not returning again until after the turn of the century. The two schools played nine straight years as members of Conference USA from 2005-13 but have not played since East Carolina joined the American Athletic Conference.
Marshall running back Keion Davis (24) runs against South Florida during the first half of the Gasparilla Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Marshall rode a big first quarter and dominant rushing attack to a 38-20victory over South Florida on a rain-soaked field at Raymond James Stadium in the 2018 Gasparilla Bowl.
Paul Dellegatto of Fox 13 tweeted a shot of the weather in Tampa on Thursday afternoon:
The early proceedings made it seem as if Marshall and South Florida would struggle to generate offense on a slippery surface.
After the teams combined for three punts and a turnover on downs over the first four drives, the Thundering Herd scored three touchdowns in under five minutes to take a 21-7 lead heading into the second quarter.
Marshall quarterback Isaiah Green had one of his best passing games of the season, despite the unfavorable field conditions. The freshman completed a season-high 68 percent of his attempts for 221yards and one rushing touchdown.
Four players combined to score five rushing touchdowns for the Herd. Senior Keion Davis led the way with 94 yards and two scores on 14 carries. Brenden Knox wasn't far behind with 93 yards and one touchdown on 12 attempts.
South Florida then got creative with senior wide receiver Tyre McCants:
Bulls head coach Charlie Strong had to tap into his list of trick plays because Marshall's defense did a terrific job of shutting down his usually balanced attack. South Florida entered the bowl game averaging 242 passing yards and 203 rushing yards per contest.
Blake Barnett racked up his passing yards for South Florida with 212on just 11completions, but the running game offered little support. Jordan Cronkrite, who averaged 6.3 yards per attempt during the regular season, was held to 26yards.
This once-promising season turned into a nightmare for Strong and South Florida. The team lost its last six games following a 7-0 start in which it climbed to No. 21 in the Associated Press Top 25.
On the other side, after being plagued by turnovers throughout the regular season, Marshall didn't give the ball away once in the bowl game. The Thundering Herd committed at least two turnovers in seven different games entering Thursday.
After an inconsistent 5-3 start, Marshall head coach Doc Holliday got his team focused to finish the season with four wins in its final five games. The victory also extended the program's winning streak in bowl games to seven, dating back to 2009.
Marshall's nine wins this season are its most since 2015, giving Holliday and his staff plenty to build on for next year as the program looks to get back to the top of Conference USA for the first time in five seasons.
