Esaias Carpenter breaks down Marshall decision

It didn't take long for Esaias Carpenter to begin thinking Marshall might be the place he'd like to spend the next two or three years of his football career. "After my official I really started thinking Marshall was the best place for me," Carpenter told HN. Fast forward a week and Carpenter made things official by committing to Doc Holliday's Thundering Herd.

"The deciding factor was probably the fan base because they seem so heavily invested in the football team. It was really noticeable. My interaction with the staff and head coach Doc was very positive as well," said Carpenter.

Carpenter actually informed the coaching staff earlier this week of his decision but kept it under wraps until today. "Coach JC Price was the first person I told. He was driving and when I told him that I was coming all I heard was "WHAT?!?! Then he cut off for 30 seconds because he was so excited!"

Carpenter's versatility is a big reason the Marshall coaching staff pursued him so heavily. "The staff told me to come in and compete for the open spot at the 2 tech but will not limit me there. They told me I'll also play the 3 tech and end as well," Carpenter told HN.

Carpenter's commitment is Marshall's second from Butler County CC in the 2019 class - a fact which is not lost on Carpenter. "I thought a lot about Josh (Ball) being here when I was deciding on things," Carpenter said. "Josh is a great player and with him on the team plus all of the other returning players I think that makes us very dangerous, and I wanted to be a part of that."

Carpenter will graduate in May from Butler and enroll at Marshall for the summer semester. He will have three years to play two at MU.