2016 SPRING PRACTICE PROGRESS REPORT: Defense

We’re basically at the mid-way point of Marshall’s spring practice schedule so I thought I’d take a look at what players have made waves inside Joan C. Edwards Stadium and the Chris Cline Athletic Complex. Head Coach Doc Holliday has been pretty clear throughout the spring that the staff uses it as an opportunity to develop younger players. With so many losses at key positions, it’s important for the younger players to gain experience in live action scenarios. We’ll cover which players have stood out and which players fans will need to remember for this season.

Defensive Coordinator Chuck Heater and linebackers Coach Adam Fuller have their hands full this spring trying to replace the reigning Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year Evan McKelvey and his senior running mate D.J. Hunter. Between the two, Marshall will be trying to replace 553 career tackles, 37 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. Enter the talented red-shirt sophomore duo of Frankie Hernandez and Chase Hancock. Hernandez will look to replace McKelvey at the “Will” (weak-side) position while Hancock will use his athleticism to replace Hunter at the “Sam” (strong-side).

Hernandez came to Marshall from Largo High School in Largo, Florida where he was a tackling machine. He’s trying to retain that moniker this spring by basically following the ball wherever it may be. Chances are, if you see the football then you’re going to see Hernandez’s #35 jersey close by. My only concern for Hernandez at this point is the physicality of the game over a 12 game season, but his aggressiveness will likely make up for that.

Hancock took the far subtler route to Huntington as a preferred walk-on. Hancock started making some noise last fall in pre-season practice by making plays every time he was given a chance. 2016 looks to be much the same for Hancock as he seems to have the “Sam” linebacker on lockdown. Not only is Hancock exceptionally athletic, but his weight room “junkie” status has enabled him to add the needed mass play inside (in nickel formations). I’ll be honest, out of all the linebackers, I’ve been most impressed with Hancock. I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if he led Marshall in tackles this fall.

I’m not going to make an irrational comment and say that these two will make us forget about McKelvey and Hunter in 2016, but by the time 2018 rolls around, we might be talking about each duo in the same breath.

As much of a chore as it may be for Coach Heater to replace the production of McKelvey and Hunter, it’s the secondary where his greatest tests lie ahead. Marshall will look to replace three of their four starter in the secondary in 2016 with the losses of Keith Baxter (graduation), Taj Letman (graduation), and Corey Tindal (entered NFL Draft). This spring has been a challenge for Heater, who doubles at secondary coach as well, with the departures I named above and injuries to Antavis Rowe (recovering from leg surgery) and Chris Williams-Hall (unspecified neck injury). Keeping Holliday’s “next man up” mentality in mind, Marshall will look to former four-star recruit Kendall Gant and early enrollee Chris Jackson to fill the voids.

Gant, who is entering his third season with the Thundering Herd, may just now be scratching the surface of his untapped potential. “It started in our bowl preparation and carried over to the off-season. He’s taking coaching and working really hard now,” Holliday said of Gant. Gant’s length and range allow him to cover ground that most safeties can only dream of. Letman was the best defensive back Marshall had in 2015 and it looks like Gant is ready to take his spot in that role.

Jackson, who should still be picking out his tuxedo for his high school prom, has been the biggest surprise on the defensive side of the ball. After struggling in the first week of practice, Jackson looks like he’s starting to get comfortable with speed of the game and Heater’s coaching. Jackson turned in the best performance of any defensive back this spring when he broke up four passes during the team sessions. Jackson possesses the top end speed, length, and football IQ to succeed out there. I’m most interested to watch his development throughout the remainder of the spring and during summer workouts.

To make my expectations clearer for Herd Nation fans, Jackson is closest thing to Daryl “Swag” Roberts Marshall has on the roster.

With the losses of Jarquez Samuel and Steve Dillon, it’s Tomell One’s time to shine, and shine he has. One has taken the biggest step forward on the defensive line this spring through the first six practices. One is healthy (missed seven games in 2015) and seems to have rededicated himself in the weight room by winning “Fast Feet” award multiple times for players over 250 pounds. One is extremely powerful and understands leverage very well thanks to his wrestling background.

He’ll have to be the leader for the younger player in that room and it seems like One is ready to do so. My money is on One to have a breakout season.

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