— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — There is a definitive Spring Valley influence across the Marshall football roster as four ex-Timberwolves continue in their quest to be contributors to the Thundering Herd throughout 2025.
Former West Virginia University offensive lineman Bryce Biggs. ex-Morehead State linebacker Zane Porter — now in his second stint with the Herd — and former Gardner-Webb offensive lineman Evan Ferguson are acclimating to first-year MU head coach Tony Gibson throughout the spring, along with another former Spring Valley standout in Ben Turner, a wideout and transfer from Division II West Liberty.
A fifth former Spring Valley alum will join the Herd in the fall in Jalyn Abercrombie, a piece of the Herd’s 2025 recruiting class.
Turner is gaining reps in spring drills as both a receiver and kick returner — duties he handled in his playing days for both the Timberwolves and Hilltoppers.
The senior’s adaptability has already won the attention of first-year Marshall Head Coach Tony Gibson.
“Ben came right in and picked up like he’s been here his whole career,” Gibson said. “He’s a special kid and we’ve got big plans for him this fall.”
During the 2024 campaign at West Liberty, Turner earned All-Mountain East Conference first-team honors, ranking among the MEC’s top eight in all major receiving categories.
He finished second in receiving yards (854) and yards per game (77.6), fourth in average yards per catch (18.57), fifth in receptions (46), and tied for eighth in touchdown catches (5). Turner turned in one of his more memorable performances in September against West Virginia State, when he totaled 230 receiving yards — the fifth-highest single-game mark in school history.
“I wanted to prove myself and prove I could compete at this level.,” Turner said.”The coaches have done a great job of implementing the offense where we can pick up day by day and learn.”
As an upperclassman, Turner says he’s ready to be a vocal leader on a Marshall team with more than 60 new players — a figure that will likely increase throughout the month when the transfer portal opens again next week.
“Last year, I had to take a vocal leadership role at West Liberty and I’m trying to carry that over, but I have to earn my respect first,” Turner said.
Before playing collegiately in the Northern Panhandle, Turner ended his Spring Valley career with 33 receptions for 473 yards and four touchdowns.
His mother, Laura McLaurin, played volleyball and softball at Marshall, and Turner’s younger sister Sydney is a Herd softball signee.
Turner and teammates will show Herd fans what they’ve been working on this spring in the annual Green-White Spring Game, which is set for 3 p.m. Saturday.
Gibson has his team will compete for a half, then turn the rest of the afternoon into a Fan Fest event.