As the Thundering Herd prepare for their match-up with UTSA in the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl, HerdNation takes a look at the cumulative PFF grades for the 2023 campaign.
Quarterbacks:
Starting quarterback, Cam Fancher, who has since entered the transfer portal, finished 2023 with a composite grade of 71.3. Fancher was 202 of 308 passing totaling 2,162 yards and 11 touchdowns along with 11 interceptions. Comparatively, Cole Pennington complied an overall grade of 43.1 while going 49 of 79 for 437 yards through the air with zero touchdowns and six interceptions.
Running Backs:
Rasheen Ali led Marshall’s running backs with a final grade of 71.6. While carrying the ball 203 times, Ali totaled 1,043 yards on the ground and scored 14 touchdowns. He also had 28 receptions for 213 yards and a touchdown in the receiving game. Ethan Payne finished 2023 with a PFF grade of 65.0. Payne toted the ball 72 times for 301 yards while also producing 15 receptions for 112 yards.
Wide Receivers:
McNeese State transfer, Mason Pierce, received the top grade among Thundering Herd receivers with a 74.1. For the season, Pierce had 16 receptions for 171 yards. Talik Keaton was next in line with an overall grade of 68.5. Keaton tallied 133 yards on 12 receptions. Following Keaton was DeMarcus Harris who led Marshall in receiving yards with 396 on 24 receptions and had one touchdown. Other receivers of note: Darryle Simmons (62.7), Caleb McMillan (61.9), Chuck Montgomery (61.1), Jayden Harrison (59.9), Caleb Coombs (59.3).
Tight Ends:
Sean Sallis, who has also entered the transfer portal, scored the top mark among Marshal’s tight ends with a grade of 61.2. Sallis totaled 5 receptions for 51 yards and one touchdown. Cade Conley was next in line with a 56.3. Prior to a season ending injury, Conley was a bright spot in the Thundering Herd offense and finished the 2023 season with 23 catches for 215 yards and one touchdown. Sallis and Conley were followed by Luke Soto (55.4), Rahmod Smith (49.0), and Chris Mottillo (47.8).
Offensive Line:
Dalton Tucker anchored Marshall’s offensive line with the top grade of 71.1 on 808 snaps. Ethan Driskell was second grading at 69.0 on 842 snaps. Trent Holler, who is now in the transfer portal, received a grade of 65.8 on 725 snaps. Starting center, Logan Osburn, totaled a PFF grade of 63.6 on 841 snaps, while Jaylen Slappy graded at 62.2 on 220 snaps. Of note, Lloyd Willis scored a 55.2 on 591 snaps.
Defensive Line:
Elijah Alston, led the team with a PFF grade of 91.1 for the 2023 season. Alston totaled 41 tackles, five sacks, and one interception that he returned for a pick-six against Old Dominion. Mike Green also received a stellar grade with a 90.6. Green tallied 40 tackles and 4.5 sacks for the season. Alston and Green are followed by Sam Burton with a grade of 82.4 and Owen Porter at 72.9. Other defensive line grades of note: Jalil Rivera-Harvey (67.7), TyQaze Leggs (66.4), Isaiah Gibson (62.0), Chris Thomas (61.3).
Linebackers:
Florida State transfer, Stephen Dix, Jr., boasted the highest grade among Marshall’s linebackers at 85.9. Dix compiled 57 tackles with once sack and one fumble recovery. Eli Neal finished his career in Huntington with a PFF grade of 80.6. Neal led the team in tackles with 85 and added two sacks and one interception to his total. KeSean Brown graded 66.2 while J’Coryan Anderson received a grade of 65.1.
Secondary:
Micah Abraham had the top grade among the Herd’s secondary with a 76.3. Abraham had 31 tackles, three interceptions and an impressive 13 pass deflections throughout 2023. Dyoni Hill, who improved significantly throughout the season, followed Abraham with a grade of 72.5. Hill had 52 tackles, one interception and 10 pass deflections. Jacobie Henderson was next at 67.2 and Ahmere Foster posted a grade of 66.2. Other secondary scores of note: Josh Moten (65.6), J.J. Roberts (65.0), Kerion Martin (63.0), AG McGhee (61.9).
