Marshall Football: Can Thundering Herd return to C-USA title game?

Seven starters return on one of nation’s best defenses

Marshall finished last season No. 1 in scoring defense, only allowing 13 points per game in 2020. The Thundering Herd also had the fourth-ranked rushing defense and 11th ranked passing defense. The expectations are high for this group with seven starters returning and it should be another great defense for the Thundering Herd this season.

Up front, the Thundering Herd are going to have one of the best pass rushes in the country, with guys like Koby Cumberlander and Immanuel Bush, as well as Sam Burton. Marshall is going to be missing Darius Hodge, but they hope that with the guys missing above and Rodney Croom and Jamare Edwards returning, this group won’t miss a beat.

At linebacker, last year’s second-leading tackler Eli Neal is back after posting a 75-tackle season. This group is going to miss Tavante’ Beckett, but there are other guys that are going to be looking to pick up the slack and the first name that comes to mind is Abraham Beauplan. Beauplan had 55 tackles and three forced fumbles last season and should be in for an even better season in 2021.

One thing that is going to be different about this defense is the deployment of more defensive backs on the field. With the new scheme change, expect to see at least five defensive backs on the field for most of the time. Nazeeh Johnson is the senior of the secondary and will be counted on to lead the unit, alongside Steven Gilmore. Micah Abraham, Naquan Renalds, and E.J. Jackson are the newcomers to the group.

If Marshall can replace the production and leadership in the secondary, I expect this defense to be elite once again.