Topic: Marshall Players in the Portal

[HerdEcon]

As of today Marshall has 2 football players in the transfer portal:

Emmanuel Balogun, DL, Sophomore (2020 Class) 
Played in 8 games this season and recorded 11 tackles (2 solo), 1 TFL, 0.5 sacks and 1 pass breakup.  He also appeared in 8 games during the 2021 season and recorded 9 tackles (3 solo). 

Anthony Dunn, Jr., DL, Freshman (2022 Class)
Did not appear in any games this season and is not listed on the current Roster.

This will likely change after the bowl game.  Players that intend to transfer may be sticking it out until after the bowl game to get the bowl game experience and the bowl game gift package given to players. 

[whf]

I think Balogun would have been a starter next year, he has been playing lights out in the last two weeks.

Also, think Dunn played earlier in the season.
Hate to see them go.  But wish them well individually; look at Jamare Edwards at JMU, an all conference selection.

[HerdEcon]

Balogun may have had a future.  The coaching staff had enough confidence in him the put him on the field in 16 games over the last two seasons and he did make some contributions.  Balogun did not play vs. Ga. Southern or App State (2 of the last 3 games of the season) so maybe you are thinking of someone else that has been playing lights out the last two weeks?  His best game statistically was ODU where he recorded 3 tackles and 0.5 sacks.   

If Dunn played early in the season he didn't record any stats.  Also, he isn't listed as having participated in any games.  I too found it odd that he wasn't listed as participating in any games.  I thought everyone that had a heart beat and was healthy saw the field against Norfolk State.   

[whf]

Balogun may have had a future.  The coaching staff had enough confidence in him the put him on the field in 16 games over the last two seasons and he did make some contributions.  Balogun did not play vs. Ga. Southern or App State (2 of the last 3 games of the season) so maybe you are thinking of someone else that has been playing lights out the last two weeks?  His best game statistically was ODU where he recorded 3 tackles and 0.5 sacks.   

If Dunn played early in the season he didn't record any stats.  Also, he isn't listed as having participated in any games.  I too found it odd that he wasn't listed as participating in any games.  I thought everyone that had a heart beat and was healthy saw the field against Norfolk State.   

Thanks for the updates; I could have sworn he did play in both games as I was amazed at his performance; guess I could go back and watch the games, but I'll certainly take your word as fact. And I thought I remember Dunn playing, I couldn't find a number for him and saw him listed at the end of the roster. Guess my age is catching up with me.

[Scottyo614]

If Balogun is leaving my guess is that means Porter is coming back? And or Leggs is going to stay at DE opposite of Alston. Interesting move though with Porters future out there.

[goherd24]

If Balogun is leaving my guess is that means Porter is coming back? And or Leggs is going to stay at DE opposite of Alston. Interesting move though with Porters future out there.

No reason for Porter to leave. Great local kid getting a lot of local support.

[svherd]

No reason for Porter to leave. Great local kid getting a lot of local support.

The ONLY reason Porter would leave is for academics. And if he does, he may not play football.

[MUonium]

The ONLY reason Porter would leave is for academics. And if he does, he may not play football.

That's an interesting statement.  pure speculation or not?  wonder if Porter is getting NIL, or anybody else for that matter?

[svherd]

That's an interesting statement.  pure speculation or not?  wonder if Porter is getting NIL, or anybody else for that matter?

This was from one of his HS coaches, who speaks with him frequently

[marshallmark]

This was from one of his HS coaches, who speaks with him frequently

He?s ready to move on for a masters in a health care field with lots of clinical requirements.  It would be almost impossible to play football while pursuing that degree but he could postpone one more year.

[CoachMaclid]

Pete Zamora just announced he's entering the portal.  And the current QB room battle claims it's first...

[HerdEcon]

Pete Zamora just announced he's entering the portal.  And the current QB room battle claims it's first...

Zamora appeared in one game (Norfolk State) for the Herd this season as a Freshman.  He attempted 1 pass that was incomplete and rushed for 0 yards. 

Hate to see any of the QBs go.  Even though Fancher appears to be the starter for the MB bowl, Fancher can't be called the undisputed starter for next season.  All of the QBs on the roster have a legit shot at being the starter next season.  For Zamora to jump in the portal so quickly his experience at Marshall must not have met his expectations.

[muherd34]

Zamora appeared in one game (Norfolk State) for the Herd this season as a Freshman.  He attempted 1 pass that was incomplete and rushed for 0 yards. 

Hate to see any of the QBs go.  Even though Fancher appears to be the starter for the MB bowl, Fancher can't be called the undisputed starter for next season.  All of the QBs on the roster have a legit shot at being the starter next season.  For Zamora to jump in the portal so quickly his experience at Marshall must not have met his expectations.

Wow.  That surprises me.  He really pushed for players to come here and was our first commit last year. 

[Scottyo614]

Pennington won scout team player of the year. I don't think E was that far off y'all and this just proves it.

All of these portal moves have pieces that we have questioned. Good luck to Pete. Love the attitude but hard hill to climb

[herdorbust2]

I never was sold on Zamora. I think the talk got out of hand and it grew for no reason.

[andy31]

I never was sold on Zamora. I think the talk got out of hand and it grew for no reason.

I always felt like it was a ?winning the press conference? kind of thing with him. He had a positive social media presence that people liked and it boosted his perception. I have no ill feelings toward him, but it just felt like some of the hype was not justified.

[Johnnyherd]

His tape looked fantastic, but it wasn't against D1 players and tape can be edited, but I'll put $20 that he starts somewhere before his eligibility runs out and he does well.

[MicDrass1]

He threw passes on dimes to Antonio Brown.  I?d say he?s pretty darn good passer. 

[The E-Man]

Pennington won scout team player of the year. I don't think E was that far off y'all and this just proves it.

All of these portal moves have pieces that we have questioned. Good luck to Pete. Love the attitude but hard hill to climb

I trusted our star defensive player who told me about Cole. So he was right about Pennington. It's going to be a very good QB battle come Spring ball practice.

I just ran into a Marshall starting defensive player and we had a good long straight down the pipe talk. We talked about our qb situation, and he told me that Cole Pennington is the real deal! Pennington is running the scout team against the 1's on defense. We talked about our current qb situation with Fancher and he said, Cam is coming along great and getting better each week! We're going to have a real battle for starting qb next season between Cole and Cam should be an interesting season.

[goherd24]

I trusted our star defensive player who told me about Cole. So he was right about Pennington. It's going to be a very good QB battle come Spring ball practice.

I hope not. If Pennington isn't head and shoulders better, we have no chance to do anything special.

[The E-Man]

I hope not. If Pennington isn't head and shoulders better, we have no chance to do anything special.

Well Cam has improved leaps and bounds from his first few games. I was Cam's biggest critic but the young man really got better as the season went on.

[herdorbust2]

Cam has improved but I hope Cole is much better. Let's face it, Cam isn't a great QB and nowhere near what we had in the past with Leftwich, Pennington, Peyton, Hill etc,,, I'm hoping to see another great here at Marshall. So I'm pulling for Cole to be that guy.

[goherd24]

Cam has improved but I hope Cole is much better. Let's face it, Cam isn't a great QB and nowhere near what we had in the past with Leftwich, Pennington, Peyton, Hill etc,,, I'm hoping to see another great here at Marshall. So I'm pulling for Cole to be that guy.

We agree! Cam isn't a QB that's gonna win you a championship. I am hoping Cole comes out and kills it in the spring and fall, and we never look back for 4 years.

[2xBison]

Well Cam has improved leaps and bounds from his first few games. I was Cam's biggest critic but the young man really got better as the season went on.

I'd expect Fancher to continue to improve, as he has.

I think things are setting up for us to have a chance to have a good run the next couple of years depending on how things play out with portal and coaching staff.

[svherd]

Fancher improved as the season progressed, rare for an MU QB since Caro. If he continues to improve his passing skills and touch, we can win with him. That said, Huff would be a fool not to look into the portal for the best passer he can find. Jmo. If Fancher can't take the next step and Huff doesn't find a portal QB, then Cole may have a shot.

I'd say the reason Cole won scout team MVP is that he is very smart, could pick of the opponents offense quickly and run it well against our defense. Which obviously helped them greatly