QUARTERBACK: Stan Hill wont regain full mobility until next fall, making for interesting competition this spring.
Hill completed nearly 70 percent of his passes for 1,767 yards and 15 touchdowns with seven interceptions before undergoing season-ending knee surgery. The senior-to-be will be limited to dropping back and throwing this spring.
Graham Gochneaur replaced Hill and threw for 1,163 yards and seven TDs with 10 pickoffs on 66 percent passing. Jimmy Skinner, who attempted two passes in limited action, is in the mix, along with Adam Black and Bernard Morris.
Black missed the entire season with an inner ear ailment and Morris redshirted. Both Black and Morris have promising upsides but they are quarterbacks of the future.
Hill remains the No. 1 signal-caller followed by Gochneaur.
"Graham ended the season No. 1 so well start him there (with Hill out this spring) and see what happens," Pruett said.
RUNNING BACK: Earl Charles averaged 5.1 yards a carry and scored 12 touchdowns en route to Marshalls first 1,000-yard season since 1998. The senior-to-be is a dynamic playmaker who backed his credentials as a junior college All American.
Charles benefited from sharing snaps with Wallace. Tank Tunstalle (153 rushing yards in 2003) will get a long look this spring to solidify the No. 2 spot, along with Michael West and a pair of intriguing prospects.
James Johnson has the size (6-2, 225) and ability to produce, but he hasnt taken a handoff in two years in Huntington. He sat out the 2002 season after transferring from Pittsburgh and missed last season with mononucleosis.
Marcus Fitzgerald signed with Marshall last February but missed last season due to academics. He could make an immediate impact next season.
"Its going to be a position we need to develop some depth at," running backs coach Ernie Purnsley said. "Earl and Butchie worked out real well last year. They pushed each other and they had real good work ethics. Tank is going to be able to help us more and Michael West has been real steady."
Marshalls backfield also could be affected by offseason position switches. Among the scenarios include linebacker Donte Newsome moving to running back. Newsome rushed for 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns as a high school senior.
WIDE RECEIVER: Josh Davis takes over Darius Watts role as Hills premiere target.
The senior-to-be is on track to break Watts MAC records for receptions and receiving yards after totaling 66 catches, 823 yards and six touchdowns in 2003. Similar to the running back situation, competition will be wide open behind a proven No. 1 option.
Brad Bates will be back this spring after being suspended at midseason. He totaled 12 catches for 77 yards last season. Huntingtons Hiram Moore caught five passes for 96 yards as a true freshman.
Wide receivers coach Dwayne Nunez is looking for the next group of returners, including Tremel Guillory, Wilbur Hargrove, Nate Manns and Clarence Stanfield, to elevate their play.
"Those older guys, its about time for them to click and really be players," Nunez said. "Not just be a role guy, but a guy that can get it done."
Marshall also likely will recruit both a junior college and high school receiver, either of which could compete for immediate playing time.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Four seniors starters (including tight end Jason Rader) are gone, but last seasons backups saw extended playing time.
The right is sound with returning starters Toby Bullock at guard and Nate Griffin at tackle. Miami transfer Zac Elcess takes over at center, while Josh Blakey will be the frontrunner to replace Nate McPeek at left tackle.
Redshirt freshmen John Inman and David Zeigler and junior-to-be Ryan Baynes also will compete for playing time.
Tight ends Jeff Mullins and Joe Deifel saw extended action last season alongside or in place of Rader.
Despite plugging in new starters on the left side, at center and at tight end, Pruett is pleased with his new-look line.
"Were much further along with the offensive line than we were at this point last year," Pruett said.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Marshall returns starters and depth.
Ends Jonathan Goddard and Jamus Martin combined for 13 sacks and are backed by Marcus Hairston. There will be heated competition to earn spots in the defensive end rotation.
Redshirt freshman Byron Tinker (6-4, 235) and Adrian Davis (6-3, 243), a sophomore-to-be, bring size to the position. Gavin Herscher, a 6-2, 234-pound sophomore-to-be, might move to end from linebacker.
Reggie Hayes returns at one tackle spot and likely will be joined by Jamaal Whyce. Roger Garrett had nine tackles as a true freshman in 2003.
"Reggie has got the size (6-3, 288), hes got the speed and hes got the agility that he can make a living at it," defensive coordinator Bill Wilt said. "So do some of the other guys if they wake up and take care of business like theyre supposed to."
LINEBACKER: Marshall is switching to more of a traditional 4-3 look next season, allowing for J.T. Rembert, Dionte Wilson and Kevin Atkins to be on the field at the same time. Last season, the trio rotated at two positions.
Atkins led Marshall with 100 tackles last season, and Wilson ranked fourth with 70. Rembert battled injuries throughout a season full of promise.
"Its more of a personnel switch than a scheme switch," Wilt said. "Youve got to ask yourself, how much sense does it make to have one of those guys on the bench? Its about getting your best 11 on the field."
Matt Couch, who saw extended special teams action as a true freshman, is a top backup.
SECONDARY: Free safety Curtis Keyes and cornerbacks Roberto Terrell and Willie Smith return as starters. Each had one interception last season.
Chris Royal and Geremy Rodamer will be among those to compete at strong safety.
SPECIAL TEAMS: 2003 was a season of transition with new starters at all kicking spots and at long snapper.
Pruett is much more settled heading into spring. Ian OConnor, who handled kickoffs as a true freshman, will battle Nick Kelly for placekicking duties. Kelly made four of seven field goals last season.
Punter Klint Rose has displayed a powerful leg in practice but struggled at times during games. Rose, who averaged 38.5 yards last season, returns as the incumbent starter, but Pruett said another punter likely will be recruited.
Guillory and Royal are back to return kicks, as is long snapper Mullins.
"Were much more settled in our kicking game," Pruett said.
Hill completed nearly 70 percent of his passes for 1,767 yards and 15 touchdowns with seven interceptions before undergoing season-ending knee surgery. The senior-to-be will be limited to dropping back and throwing this spring.
Graham Gochneaur replaced Hill and threw for 1,163 yards and seven TDs with 10 pickoffs on 66 percent passing. Jimmy Skinner, who attempted two passes in limited action, is in the mix, along with Adam Black and Bernard Morris.
Black missed the entire season with an inner ear ailment and Morris redshirted. Both Black and Morris have promising upsides but they are quarterbacks of the future.
Hill remains the No. 1 signal-caller followed by Gochneaur.
"Graham ended the season No. 1 so well start him there (with Hill out this spring) and see what happens," Pruett said.
RUNNING BACK: Earl Charles averaged 5.1 yards a carry and scored 12 touchdowns en route to Marshalls first 1,000-yard season since 1998. The senior-to-be is a dynamic playmaker who backed his credentials as a junior college All American.
Charles benefited from sharing snaps with Wallace. Tank Tunstalle (153 rushing yards in 2003) will get a long look this spring to solidify the No. 2 spot, along with Michael West and a pair of intriguing prospects.
James Johnson has the size (6-2, 225) and ability to produce, but he hasnt taken a handoff in two years in Huntington. He sat out the 2002 season after transferring from Pittsburgh and missed last season with mononucleosis.
Marcus Fitzgerald signed with Marshall last February but missed last season due to academics. He could make an immediate impact next season.
"Its going to be a position we need to develop some depth at," running backs coach Ernie Purnsley said. "Earl and Butchie worked out real well last year. They pushed each other and they had real good work ethics. Tank is going to be able to help us more and Michael West has been real steady."
Marshalls backfield also could be affected by offseason position switches. Among the scenarios include linebacker Donte Newsome moving to running back. Newsome rushed for 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns as a high school senior.
WIDE RECEIVER: Josh Davis takes over Darius Watts role as Hills premiere target.
The senior-to-be is on track to break Watts MAC records for receptions and receiving yards after totaling 66 catches, 823 yards and six touchdowns in 2003. Similar to the running back situation, competition will be wide open behind a proven No. 1 option.
Brad Bates will be back this spring after being suspended at midseason. He totaled 12 catches for 77 yards last season. Huntingtons Hiram Moore caught five passes for 96 yards as a true freshman.
Wide receivers coach Dwayne Nunez is looking for the next group of returners, including Tremel Guillory, Wilbur Hargrove, Nate Manns and Clarence Stanfield, to elevate their play.
"Those older guys, its about time for them to click and really be players," Nunez said. "Not just be a role guy, but a guy that can get it done."
Marshall also likely will recruit both a junior college and high school receiver, either of which could compete for immediate playing time.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Four seniors starters (including tight end Jason Rader) are gone, but last seasons backups saw extended playing time.
The right is sound with returning starters Toby Bullock at guard and Nate Griffin at tackle. Miami transfer Zac Elcess takes over at center, while Josh Blakey will be the frontrunner to replace Nate McPeek at left tackle.
Redshirt freshmen John Inman and David Zeigler and junior-to-be Ryan Baynes also will compete for playing time.
Tight ends Jeff Mullins and Joe Deifel saw extended action last season alongside or in place of Rader.
Despite plugging in new starters on the left side, at center and at tight end, Pruett is pleased with his new-look line.
"Were much further along with the offensive line than we were at this point last year," Pruett said.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Marshall returns starters and depth.
Ends Jonathan Goddard and Jamus Martin combined for 13 sacks and are backed by Marcus Hairston. There will be heated competition to earn spots in the defensive end rotation.
Redshirt freshman Byron Tinker (6-4, 235) and Adrian Davis (6-3, 243), a sophomore-to-be, bring size to the position. Gavin Herscher, a 6-2, 234-pound sophomore-to-be, might move to end from linebacker.
Reggie Hayes returns at one tackle spot and likely will be joined by Jamaal Whyce. Roger Garrett had nine tackles as a true freshman in 2003.
"Reggie has got the size (6-3, 288), hes got the speed and hes got the agility that he can make a living at it," defensive coordinator Bill Wilt said. "So do some of the other guys if they wake up and take care of business like theyre supposed to."
LINEBACKER: Marshall is switching to more of a traditional 4-3 look next season, allowing for J.T. Rembert, Dionte Wilson and Kevin Atkins to be on the field at the same time. Last season, the trio rotated at two positions.
Atkins led Marshall with 100 tackles last season, and Wilson ranked fourth with 70. Rembert battled injuries throughout a season full of promise.
"Its more of a personnel switch than a scheme switch," Wilt said. "Youve got to ask yourself, how much sense does it make to have one of those guys on the bench? Its about getting your best 11 on the field."
Matt Couch, who saw extended special teams action as a true freshman, is a top backup.
SECONDARY: Free safety Curtis Keyes and cornerbacks Roberto Terrell and Willie Smith return as starters. Each had one interception last season.
Chris Royal and Geremy Rodamer will be among those to compete at strong safety.
SPECIAL TEAMS: 2003 was a season of transition with new starters at all kicking spots and at long snapper.
Pruett is much more settled heading into spring. Ian OConnor, who handled kickoffs as a true freshman, will battle Nick Kelly for placekicking duties. Kelly made four of seven field goals last season.
Punter Klint Rose has displayed a powerful leg in practice but struggled at times during games. Rose, who averaged 38.5 yards last season, returns as the incumbent starter, but Pruett said another punter likely will be recruited.
Guillory and Royal are back to return kicks, as is long snapper Mullins.
"Were much more settled in our kicking game," Pruett said.
