HUNTINGTON, W.Va.– Day 5 of Marshall football’s fall camp is in the books as saw two things today for the first time this week; rain and full-pad contact. Much like the rain, the contact was light much of the afternoon with the occasional burst of rain—and heavy contact.
Freshman running back Brandon Byrd was a casualty of the first day of contact. He was on the wrong end of a massive collision with linebacker Cortez Carter. Bryd was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
Rockhead missing from practice
Devon Johnson was absent from practice today due to a personal matter he had to deal with back home according to head coach Doc Holliday. He is expected to return to practice Saturday. With Johnson’s absence, Remi Watson took the first team snaps, Stew Butler worked with the second team and Brandon Bird split time with Tony Pittman on the third team. Watson and Butler took care of the pigskin during the session. Pittman leveled freshman linebacker Kaleb Harris while Byrd had less than a stellar afternoon.
Receivers have solid day
Deandre Reaves had a solid day today as he continues to emerge as a consistent target in this deep group of receivers. Reaves pulled in a superb catch on a flag route then finished in a score after a nice tight rope display down the sideline.
Justin Hunt made a great grab on a perfect throw from Cato but continues to struggle with the drops.
Josh Knight continues to impress. He made several nice catches in tight coverage. Angelo Jean-Louis and Emanuel Beal had solid days. Jean-Louis hauled in a pass on the sideline just before falling out of bounds with redshirt freshman Chocolate Wilson draped over him. Beal burned starting defensive back Keith Baxter on a comeback route as he increased his value with his performance today. Gator Green had an off day after a terrific week of camp as he dropped several passes. The true freshman battled through and had a decent finish to the day.
Holcombe pulling ahead
Gunnar Holcombe appears to be in line for the back-up quarterback position over true freshman Cole Garvin. But make no mistake, Holcombe is no Blake Frohnapfel and has much to learn in a short time. His timing and arm strength continue to be an issue during drills with defensive pressure present. Garvin still has a weak arm and appears to be watching the game in fast-forward. The game is moving faster than he can process and his head looks like it’s a spin-top.
Defensive update
I can finally report about the defense as we got a good look at the first team defense. James Rouse, Jarquez Samuel, Gary Thompson and Ra’Shawde Myers anchored the front with Neville Hewitt, Jermaine Holmes and DJ Hunter at linebacker. AJ Leggett, Taj Letman, Keith Baxter and Corey Tindal worked in the secondary.
Injury report
Injury report for today has Clint Van Horn still with a boot on his right foot and walking on crutches. That however did not keep Van Horn from coaching up his fellow teammates. Sandley Jean-Felix worked with the first team in place of Van Horn. Tiquan Lang was back on the field in limited action today but did not participate in the contact portions of practice. Corie Wilson does not appear to be getting back into a Herd uniform anytime soon as his right leg is still in a brace and he continues to walk with crutches. Virginia Tech transfer Donaldven Manning remained on the sideline today working out with the training staff.
— James Collier