— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall football coach Tony Gibson was blunt after last Saturday’s spring game in saying the roster that hit the field this spring for the Thundering Herd won’t be the same one in place when fall drills begin in August.
Marshall had 108 players for spring drills, but will need to be down to 105 players this fall. In addition, the transfer portal reopens Wednesday.
“We had guys who played today who may not be here tomorrow,” Gibson said. “It’s a crazy time in college football, but our goal as a staff is to get guys who want to be here, coach them up and get them ready. We have more guys coming in this summer, so we’ll see where we are in August.
“We’re going to have a lot of one-on-one meetings and let guys know where they stand on our football team and what’s next for them and us.”
Also of immediate concern is ensuring that Marshall players who stay have a strong finish to the spring academic semester.
“We have a couple more weeks left in the semester and we aren’t going to stop. We’re going to keep pushing forward,” Gibson said.
As for spring game performances, Gibson and his coaching staff saw signs of both hope and concern.
The Green defense picked up two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown by defensive back Boogie Trotter) along with two pass breakups and three tackles for loss.
Offensively, quarterbacks Carlos Del Rio-Wilson and Zion Turner made plays.
Quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson completed 5-of-7 passes for 113 yards and rushed for 21 yards and a touchdown.
Turner was 4-for-5 through the air for 73 yards and he added 51 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
For the time being, Marshall appears to have a two-headed running back tandem in Antwan Roberts and Jo’shon Barbie, while wide receivers Jakolbe Baldwin and Antonio Harman and returning tight end Toby Payne made notable plays in the passing game.
Gibson was also excited by a strong turnout of Marshall football alumni for Spring Game weekend as well as with the turnout of Herd fans that enjoyed Fan Fest following the end of game action.
Saturday’s activities, including the annual Spring Memorial Fountain ceremony on campus, made it a special day for Gibson, his family and the Herd football staff.
“It was surreal when I was standing in that tunnel looking out,” Gibson said. “It was impressive. I’m an emotional guy and it got me for a minute.”