— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall football added two more players to it 2020 recruiting class Wednesday, adding a pair of defensive backs to go with the 15 newcomers the Thundering Herd brought on as early signees in December.
Set to enter his 11th season leading the Herd, Marshall head coach Doc Holliday is pleased his staff addressed several personnel needs with the 2020 class.
“We are excited to add these young men to what we believe is an excellent class,” Holliday said. “Securing the right personnel is key to building your football program and we’ve done that today.”
In total, Marshall has 10 of its newcomers ranked as three-star prospects and three more as two-stars by ESPN.com, Rivals.com or 247Sports.com — or some combination of the three.
Marshall concentrated on adding numerous defensive backs, wide receivers and tight ends in the 17-man class, replacing key performers who won’t be back next fall such as receiver Obi Obialo, who is transferring to Oklahoma for his final season, along with tight end Armani Levias and defensive backs Chris Jackson and Kereon Merrell.
Below are biographies of the latest signees, including Charles Bell, who had been committed to Syracuse:
Charles Bell (DB, 5-11, 195)
School: Quince Orchard
Hometown: Gaithersburg, Md.
Rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, 247Sports.com and ESPN.com … Also received offers from Georgia, South Carolina, West Virginia, Nebraska, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Indiana, Maryland, Boston College, East Carolina, UMass, Liberty, Temple, Toledo, Lehigh … The 25th-ranked player in the state of Maryland according to 247Sports.com … Also played running back, wide receiver, strong safety and outside linebacker in high school … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds, the 100-yard dash in 10.9 seconds and has a 4.38 shuttle time … Squats 400 pounds.
Keylin Roach (DB, 6-1, 190)
School: Georgia Military College
Hometown: Columbia, S.C.
Rated a two-star prospect by Rivals.com … Posted 15 tackles (10 solo) with 1.5 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, two interceptions and two pass breakups for Georgia Military last season … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.54 seconds with a 4.1 shuttle and a 37-inch vertical leap … Also competed in track in the 100 meters at Brookland-Cayce High School in South Carolina.