Topic: I was just sitting here thinking...

[Big Ol' Hillbilly]

Have Cato and Bradshaw been the only “program face” type of star players we’ve had since Leftwich? I know we’ve had the Cody Slate, Chase Litton, and Aaron Dobbs types, but I’m talking about a star that other people notice besides our fan base.

[Herdalum83]

Have Cato and Bradshaw been the only “program face” type of star players we’ve had since Leftwich? I know we’ve had the Cody Slate, Chase Litton, and Aaron Dobbs types, but I’m talking about a star that other people notice besides our fan base.

I would throw Vinny Curry in that group as well. But other than those 3? I don't think there are any others.

[MicDrass1]

Lack of wr play due to scheme is sad

[HoPPy785]

Agree on Curry and he seems to stay involved. Does Bradshaw show interest in the school or is he gone?

[svherd]

Our WR’s can’t get separation, even Brady couldn’t. That makes it very hard on the QB.

[Big Ol' Hillbilly]

I would throw Vinny Curry in that group as well. But other than those 3? I don't think there are any others.

I forgot about Vinny. I would put him in the group with Dobson and Slate though. He had a big name here amongst our fan base and has had a successful NFL career, but I don’t think the casual football fan with no ties to the program knew a lot about him while he was here.  I’d throw Albert MacClanahan in that group too. I’m talking Moss, Pennington, Leftwich types of stars. I may be even stretching it by including Bradshaw. Cato definitely deserves to be in the group.

[Carolina_Thor]

I'd put Devon Johnson in that category, though maybe not necessarily the fame level (no Heisman conversations etc). 

[Big Ol' Hillbilly]

I'd put Devon Johnson in that category, though maybe not necessarily the fame level (no Heisman conversations etc).

I don’t know how I forgot my personal favorite Herd player ever. May he Rest In Peace. I’d still put him in that group with Slate and Dobson. He may have been a badas$,but I don’t think any casual football fans outside the Marshall faithful knew who he was.

[MUther]

I don’t know how I forgot my personal favorite Herd player ever. May he Rest In Peace. I’d still put him in that group with Slate and Dobson. He may have been a badas$,but I don’t think any casual football fans outside the Marshall faithful knew who he was.

CUSA fans knew who he was.  He left tramp stamps on their QBs.  Same with Rockhead.  That stiffarm against the defense.  Had Johnson not been injured I think he had the potential to reach that next level of fame.

[Big Ol' Hillbilly]

CUSA fans knew who he was.  He left tramp stamps on their QBs.  Same with Rockhead.  That stiffarm against the defense.  Had Johnson not been injured I think he had the potential to reach that next level of fame.

I’m not debating the awesome badas$ery that was Rockhead, and I totally agree about him if he hadn’t been injured. But I’m talking about players who brought us national recognition. “Face of the Program” types. Sure all of the conference USA fans knew who he was, but by looking at stadiums from televised CUSA games, you could take all CUSA fans combined and not fill up Laidley Field.

I probably shouldn’t even have included Bradshaw. I think that Cato has probably been the only one since Leftwich.

[sleeinwv]

vinny and Albert

[IslandHerd1]

Neville Hewitt man come on, still going strong in NFL

[mckayt]

Albert MacClanahan

Albert McClellan

[Gaylen]

Speaking Devon Collins (above) I wonder if Xavier Gaines would to the same if moved to a running back position? Just a thought.

[bbcard1]

Jon Goddard and Rockhead were both all Americans.

[herdfan129]

Speaking Devon Collins (above) I wonder if Xavier Gaines would to the same if moved to a running back position? Just a thought.

That might be something to consider with Knox out right now and our depth at TE.

[Herdalum83]

I forgot about Vinny. I would put him in the group with Dobson and Slate though. He had a big name here amongst our fan base and has had a successful NFL career, but I don’t think the casual football fan with no ties to the program knew a lot about him while he was here.  I’d throw Albert MacClanahan in that group too. I’m talking Moss, Pennington, Leftwich types of stars. I may be even stretching it by including Bradshaw. Cato definitely deserves to be in the group.

See I think the opposite. I think Cato is the stretch. While he was here he got tons of national attention but in the what have you done for me lately world of sports, Cato has largely been forgotten by the non-Marshall sports fan. While I think there are still plenty of football fans that would remember Ahmad Bradshaw even if that is due largely to his raise in profile through his NFL career.

[banker]

It's a very tall task to reach national, casual fan, fame especially with our lack of TV coverage.   I would say that Mason Fine is the only current CUSA player that is even remotely known outside the conference and he doesn't reach your standard.

Outside of the stars on top 5-10 teams that get constantly talked about on ESPN, not sure anyone can name too many players outside their team and conference.