Topic: H-D: Landon: Holliday's NFL-level recruits are adding up

[biggreenarms]

It was bound to happen sooner or later.

But it needed to be sooner.

After putting together one outstanding recruiting class after another since becoming Marshall's head football coach in 2010, it was time for one of Doc Holliday's recruits to be selected in the NFL Draft.

And that's exactly what happened 10 days ago on May 10.

Holliday produced his first recruited NFL draft pick as a head coach when offensive lineman Garrett Scott was selected by the 2014 Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round with the 199th overall pick.

So, Scott was the first. The native of Douglas, Ga., who played as a true freshman in 2010 always will have that niche in Marshall's football annals.

But that's just the start.

There will be many more NFL Draft picks from Holliday's recruiting classes.

Take next year, for example.

Marshall has six players who should be considered legitimate NFL prospects. The list includes quarterback Rakeem Cato, defensive lineman James Rouse, center Chris Jasperse, wide receiver Tommy Shuler, cornerback Darryl Roberts and middle linebacker Jermaine Holmes.

Some of those guys could be drafted. Others will sign as free agents. But, one way or another, those six should end up in NFL training camps, rookie camps or mini-camps in 2015.

Cato will be helped by the proliferation of shorter quarterbacks such as Drew Brees, Russell Wilson and Johnny Manziel.

Let's be honest.

Is Cato as talented as Case Keenum, who quarterbacked the Houston Cougars against Marshall in Conference USA?

I believe so.

And, remember, Keenum ended up in the NFL and was actually the Houston Texans' starting quarterback for a while in 2014.

As for Rouse, he is a playmaker who would be a prototypical NFL defensive end. Rouse's list of injuries will be his lone drawback.

Then, there's Jasperse. Never count out a cerebral center with a mean streak. That typifies Jasperse.

Measurables are the crux of the matter for the other three -- Shuler, Roberts and Holmes. Shuler's 5-foot-7 height and lack of elite speed are obvious hurdles. Roberts needs to get bigger and stronger. And despite Holmes being a weight-room monster, he still stands just 5-11.

But will they get a shot?

Yes, indeed.

Scott pancaked the door to the NFL and, now, more of Marshall's players are going to walk through.

That's refreshing because it's a return to the Herd's successful past. When iconic coach Bobby Pruett was at the Herd's helm, Marshall had 14 of his players selected in the NFL Draft.

The list includes Randy Moss (1998), John Wade (1998), James Williams (2000), Doug Chapman (2000), Rogers Beckett (2000), Chad Pennington (2000), Paul Toviessi (2001), Chris Massey (2002), Steve Sciullo (2003), Chris Crocker (2003), Byron Leftwich (2003), Darius Watts (2004), Johnathan Goddard (2005) and Ahmad Bradshaw (2007).

But, then, there was a four-year hiatus until Lee Smith was drafted in 2011, Vinny Curry in 2012 and Aaron Dobson in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Now, it appears Marshall is resuming its presence in the NFL Draft with choices in four consecutive drafts.

That's exactly what everyone expected when Doc Holliday was hired.

Now, he's making it happen.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall/x1315750754/Chuck-Landon-Hollidays-NFL-level-recruits-are-adding-up