Topic: H-D: Writer: Marshall in Top 25

[biggreenarms]

HUNTINGTON -- Marshall University's football team made the Top 25 in the post-spring practice power rankings of SportsIllustrated.com writer Martin Rickman.

"During the spring, every team's season remains a potential fairy tale," Rickman wrote. "Possibilities are endless, and all it takes is a little magic to make college football dreams come true."

Rickman's rankings are led by No. 1 Florida State followed by No. 2 Alabama, No. 3 Auburn, No. 4 Stanford and No. 5 Oklahoma.

Marshall came in at No. 25.

The writer listed key returning Thundering Herd players as QB Rakeem Cato, RB Kevin Grooms, WR Davonte Allen, WR Tommy Shuler, WR Craig Wilkins, TE Eric Frohnapfel, OL Clint Van Horn, DE Ra'Shawde Myers, DL Jarquez Samuel, DT James Rouse, LB Jermaine Holmes, LB Evan McKelvey, CB Monterius Lovett, CB Darryl Roberts, S DJ Hunter and OL Blake Brooks.

Key players lost were TE Gator Hoskins, WR Shawney Kersey, DT James Rouse, CB Derrick Thomas, WR Devon Smith, DT Brandon Sparrow, DE Jeremiah Taylor and OT Garrett Scott.

Rickman also added a theme to the rankings by pairing each school with a Disney villain from Ursula to Jafar he said to (soft of) provide a window into the state of each team.

Marshall was matched Disney villain Randall Boggs from Monsters Inc.

"Randall doesn't look like a monster that would elicit big scares, but he packs plenty into his slinky disposition," Rickman wrote. "On the surface, it's easy to ignore Marshall, but quarterback Rakeem Cato and crew pose a legitimate threat.

"Plus, the Thundering Herd's schedule is a few levels beyond manageable."

Post-spring practice power rankings

1. Florida State

2. Alabama

3. Auburn

4. Stanford

5. Oklahoma

6. Michigan State

7. UCLA

8. Ohio State

9. Oregon

10. LSU

11. Wisconsin

12. Notre Dame

13. Baylor

14. USC

15. Georgia

16. South Carolina

17. Clemson

18. Texas Tech

19. Mississippi

20. Arizona State

21. Missouri

22. Texas A&M

23. North Carolina

24. Oklahoma State

25. Marshall

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/marshall/x1315749877/Writer-Marshall-in-Top-25

[sleeinwv]

Lol...nice jab at our schedule.   It is what it is...oh well.   

[W0lfman]

I cant remember if we started out in the top 25 in 99 or not.  but it seems this year we may have a chance to start out higher than we ever have before.

[mr_ash_1995]

I can't worry about the schedule.  Just going to sit back and enjoy watching the Herd being lead by a SENIOR QB throwing to a SENIOR WR (who was probably told he was too short and too slow to play). Since their arrival, I've enjoyed watching these players improve their game every year.

Good luck Cato, Shuler and the rest of the Thundering Herd!  Love the experience on this particular team.

[Bob25526]

If ya start out at 25 and ya keep winning, ya keep rising and they can't stop ya from doing so!

[backontrack]

SI had us at #12 or #14 in '02 with all of the Byron hype...

[Bob25526]

This year...........We're gonna party like it's 1999!