— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Scrimmage season is over for Marshall as the September 5 road test at No. 18 Penn State quickly approaches.
The 3:30 p.m. game between the Thundering Herd and Nittany Lions will be shown nationally on FS1.
Second-year Marshall head coach Tony Gibson, previously a longtime defensive coordinator, has been proud of the progress a retooled defense has made in fall drills.
The entire defensive coaching staff was replaced after the 2025 season, one that ended with Marshall losing four of its last give games to finish 5-7.
The defense, which will incorporate a mix of three and four-man fronts, is led by veteran coordinator Brad Lambert, who is in his third coaching stint with the Marshall program, having previously worked with former head coaches Jim Donnan and Doc Holliday.
“Defense is always ahead at this point, just from the timing of different things,” Gibson said. “It’s great to throw the ball around in the summer, but when you get people on you and get a pass rush, it makes it a little more difficult for the offense.”
On offense, coordinator Rod Smith has no quarterback controversy as fifth-year senior Carlos Del Rio-Wilson is the clear starter.
While senior Toby Payne is the leader among the tight ends, Smith is still working to settle on playing time at the running back and wide receiver positions.
Jo’Shon Barbie is the top returning tailback (197 yards and two touchdowns in 2025), but is being pushed for playing time by West Virginia transfer Judah Price and West Georgia transfer T.J. Lester as well as the less-experienced Anthony Quinn Jr.
Seniors Adrian Norton and DeAndre Tamarez lead the wide receiver group, one that features several talented transfers, including Christian Hamilton from West Virginia, Chris Culliver from North Carolina and Owen Sweeney from VMI.
Norton is a preseason All-Sun Belt Conference pick by league coaches after a 2025 season with five touchdown catches. Tamarez was Marshall’s third-leading receiver last year with 32 catches for 395 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
A wildcard on offense could be WVU transfer quarterback Khalil Wilkins.
Wilkins possesses athleticism and the left-hander played both quarterback and slot receiver in Marshall’s spring game, showing off his speed and elusiveness at both positions.
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Del Rio-Wilson has been named to the 2026 Davey O’Brien Award Watch List — one of 30 quarterbacks named to the list, which is given to the nation’s best college quarterback.
Del Rio-Wilson is the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year by league coaches and is the lone Sun Belt player on the list chosen by a subset of the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee, based on previous Division I career performances and expectations heading into the 2026 season.
Del Rio-Wilson is no stranger to recognition this preseason after previously being named this month to the Watch Lists for the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award and Allstate Wuerffel Trophy.
“Carlos’ strong 2025 season continues to garner attention and accolades for himself and our program heading into this year,” Gibson said. “Recognition like this does not happen without great teammates that put you in situations to succeed, so this is a team honor, as well. Everyone within our program should take pride in this.”