Marshall mixes portal adds, high school signees to round out 2023 recruiting class
– By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Virginia — Marshall’s football program announced the addition of 24 new players to its roster and much of the aid will go to defending the herd.
“I’m really looking forward to this class,” said Herd head coach Charles Huff. “We’ve been able to attract some high quality people, students and players to Marshall University. The young men in this class will help us continue to pursue our championship goals as a program while also serving as intricate parts of this university and community.”
The list includes 13 new signings via the NCAA transfer portal, including former Wake Forest defenseman JJ Roberts, who played his high school football not far from the Marshall campus in Cabell Midland.
Another defensive recruit arriving via the portal is former Appalachian State linebacker Kesean Brown, who started eight games for the Mountaineers last fall.
Other defensive backs added by the portal include: Virginia defensive end Michael Green, Incarnate Word linebacker Tah Mac Bright, Ohio University defensive end Kylen McCracken, Texas A&M defensive end Josh Moten, Florida defensive end Chris Thomas, and Southeastern University.
Portal additions to the offensive line include offensive lineman Chinazo Obobi, from London, England, who comes to Huntington from Laney College and was considered Europe’s top pick in high school. Other offensive additions from the portal include former Kentucky wide receiver DeMarcus Harris, McNeese State wide receiver and returner Mason Pierce, UTEP tight end Luke Soto and Florida State offensive lineman Lloyd Willis.
Marshall added a trio of newcomers on Wednesday to join a group of others who signed in December. The newcomers are Jayven Hall, a three-star linebacker from Roswell, Georgia; Defenseman Tashawn Jeter of Winston Salem, NC; and Mathis Haygood, a linebacker from Fayetteville, Georgia. Jeter is also a three-star talent named as one of North Carolina’s 50 Best Prospects.
Huff says transporting recruits is a credit to all MU staff.
“I’m very grateful for the staff and all the hard work they’ve put in as we continue to close the gap,” said Huff.
The Thundering Herd came off a 9-4 season in its first Sun Belt Conference campaign last fall that ended in a 28-14 win over Connecticut at the Myrtle Beach Bowl. The herd ended the season with five straight wins.
Marshall opens spring training on March 27 and concludes spring football with the annual spring game on April 22.
Members of the Class of 2023
2/1, 11:53 am: Mathis Haygood, LB, 6-3, 210, Fayetteville, Georgia, Sandy Creek, HS
2/1, 8:42 a.m: Tashawn Jeter, DB, 6-2, 180, Winston Salem, NC, RJ Reynolds HS
2/1, 7:18 a.m: Jayven Hall, LB, 6-2, 230, Woodstock, Georgia, Roswell HS
Enrolled: Jaden Yates, LB, 6-1, 220, Chicago, Illinois/Columbus, Ohio, Gahanna Lincoln HS
Registered: Caleb Clark-Glover, DB, 5-11, 165, Springdale, Ohio, Cincinnati Princeton HS
Enrolled: Kesean Brown, LB, 6-2, 230, Columbia, SC, Appalachia
Enrolled: JJ Roberts, DB, 6-0, 190, Hurricane, W.Va., Wake Forest
Enrolled: Josh Moten, DB, 6-0, 175, Waldorf, Md., Texas A&M
Enrolled: Chris Thomas, DL, 6-5, 315, Tallahassee, Florida, Univ. from Florida
Enrolled: Kylen McCracken, DL, 6-3, 305, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Ohio University
Enrolled: Michael Green, DL, 6-4, 250, Williamsburg, Virginia, Univ. from Virginia
Enrolled: Marc Viechec, LB, 6-0, 225, Naples, Fla., Southeastern Univ.
Enrolled: Tah Mac Bright, DB, 6-2, 180, Houston, Texas, Word Incarnate
Enrolled: Chinazo “CK” Obobi, OL, 6-5, 310, London, England, UK, Laney College
Enrolled: Lloyd Willis, OL, 6-7, 315, Miami, Florida, State of Florida
Enrolled: Luke Soto, TE, 6-4, 260, Tehachapi, Calif., UTEP
Enrolled: DeMarcus Harris, WR, 6-1, 190, Vero Beach, Florida, Kentucky
Enrolled: Mason Pierce, WR, 5-7, 165, Pearland, Texas, McNeese State
Signed (December): Ian Foster, DB, 5-11, 180, Brundidge, Alabama, Pike County HS
Signed (December): Beni Tshita, DL, 6-3, 260, Louisville, Ky., Dupont Manual HS
Signed (December): Tracy Stephens, TE, 6-5, 260, Columbia, SC, Ridge View, HS
Signed (December): Ahmere Foster, DB, 5-9, 165, Miami, Fla. Christopher Columbus HS
Signed (December): Shawn Rouse, OL, 6-4, 260, Milton, W.Va., Cabell Midland HS
Signed (December): CJ Davis, DB, 6-0, 175, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Bishop Dwenger HS
