It’s been one week since Doc Holliday and his staff concluded National Signing Day with the top class in Conference USA. As confident as the HN staff was in Holliday’s ability to close top notch talent, we will admit even we were shocked with how Marshall was able to close out the 2018 Class. Marshall was able to beat out numerous Power Five schools at almost every position to fill their needs. Let’s take a look at which recruits fill our superlatives list.

With so much experience returning in 2018, there may not be many chances for the 2018 Class to make an impact. Enter Rhode Island transfer Justin Rohrwasser. Following the graduation of multi-purpose kicker/punter Kaare Vedvik, Marshall is in desperate need of a place kicker. Rohrwasser, who played two seasons at Rhode Island, connected on 15 of 20 field goal attempts and 39 of 40 extra-point attempts in his two seasons there. Rohrwasser, who enrolled in January, will likely enter spring practice as Marshall’s starting kicker seeing how he’ll be the only kicker on the roster with game experience. ~ Josh Stowers

Justin Rohrwasser is the obvious answer here but in attempt to go out on a limb I'll pick JUCO WR Artie Henry III. Henry III might be the most versatile WR in the 2018 class, which is saying something. The JUCO product flashes excellent hands and a solid understanding of how to set up defenders and should be a favorite of new OC Tim Cramsey from the get-go. ~ Chris McLaughlin

WR Jordan Wayne-Prather: Marshall made wide receiver a priority in the 2018 class, signing seven guys or so that could ultimately contribute at the position. There’s playing time to be had and Wayne-Prather could have a leg up because of his experience. He has size and skill. ~ Chris Clark

Given Marshall’s recent success with their linebackers and how Marshall uses their SAM-backer position, I think Sharrod Frazier has a chance to be a star for the Thundering Herd. His athleticism, speed (4.48 seconds in forty-yard dash), and versatility will be on full display under new defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s defense and new linebackers coach Byron Thweatt’s tutelage. Frazier reminds me of former freshman All-American linebacker DJ Hunter, but I think Frazier is actually more explosive. The key to Frazier’s future will be how his body develops. A little light (190 pounds currently) to play in the box, Frazier will be used out on the edge and in space by playing the SAM-backer and nickel. Following Artis Johnson’s senior season, Marshall will look to replace him in 2019. I see no reason that Frazier couldn’t be that guy. ~ Josh Stowers

This is a difficult category to project for a number of reasons but the one player I kept thinking back to is JaQuan Webb. I fully believe Webb is a steal and would be playing in the SEC if it wasn't for a foot injury that kept him in a walking boot for most of his senior season. Webb is the prototypical "X" receiver offensive coaches drool over and projects as the long-term replacement for Tyre Brady once Brady moves on to the NFL. I'd be very surprised if Webb doesn't end up being a three year starter and earn all-CUSA first team honors by the time he's done playing in Huntington. ~ Chris McLaughlin

Patrick Keenan: The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder already has good size and an intriguing frame, given that he has plenty of growth potential. Keenan could factor in as an inside or outside player, depending on how he does grow and develop in Huntington. Guys that can move at his size usually carry pro potential, and Keenan could have an opportunity to begin seeing the field earlier in this career, rather than later. That could make for plenty of production and plays made for Marshall. ~ Chris Clark

Signing underrated players that develop into major contributors has become a constant during Holliday’s tenure. Moving on from National Signing Day, there’s a player that continues to stick out at me as someone who may fit that mold. Last Wednesday, Tyquavious “Ty” Terrell chose Marshall over a late push from Michigan (yes, I didn’t stutter) and he may very well be end up being someone fans look back on in a few years as steal. Possessing track speed (4.39 seconds in forty-yard dash and 10.8 seconds in 100-meters), Terrell will be as explosive as any weapon Marshall puts on the field. During the National Signing Day party held by the Big Green, Terrell was a name the coaches couldn’t talk enough about. I look for him to start out playing on the inside and learn from behind Marcel Williams. ~ Josh Stowers

I'll be honest, Markeis Colvin was a name I was unfamiliar with on National Signing Day so when he inked with Marshall I was totally taken off guard. But after watching his HUDL, I can see why the coaching staff considered him a take even though the raw numbers at WR may have suggested otherwise. He's a perfect fit for the slot and will have a huge opportunity to make an impact in 2019 once Nick Mathews and Marcel Williams graduate. ~ Chris McLaughlin

LB Breon Hayward: It’s fairly easy to make the argument that Hayward is undervalued as a Division 1 signee without a ranking marker from Rivals.com. However, even a low ranking is one he could ultimately prove quick to outplay once he arrives in Huntington. Hayward was a productive player in junior college, one of the top solo tacklers in the country. He plays sideline to sideline with aggressiveness and hits with a low center of gravity. Hayward also tallied six sacks on the season and is an above average blitzer from his linebacker spot. This is a very intriguing player for Adam Fuller’s defense. ~ Chris Clark

There are a number of players that could obviously fall under this category, but leading into National Signing Day I had nothing but positive vibes in regards to three-star wide receiver Shaquon Anderson-Butts. I was told that Penn State would not be stashing him away at prep school or JUCO so it looked like he was a lock to sign with the Thundering Herd. Obviously that didn’t happen as he chose to sign with Iowa Western Community College. Anderson-Butts is a player that had potential on either side of the ball regardless of his wide receiver label from Rivals.com. Don’t be surprised to see him rated as a four-star in a year or two and sign with a Power Five school. ~ Josh Stowers

Marshall had some momentum early on with Bluefield native Taymon Cooke but as time went on it became clear Cooke was going to end up in Morgantown. Cooke has the ability to play both WR and CB at the FBS level but his ceiling in the defensive secondary is what is so intriguing about him as a prospect. Marshall was only able to sign one true corner in it's 2018 class (Steven Gilmore) so missing out on Cooke stings. ~ Chris McLaughlin

I think one could easily make the argument for the quarterback position with the late addition of Wagner graduate transfer, Alex Thomson. For me though, it was too hard to ignore the ridiculous haul the Dallas Baker pulled in as the wide receivers coach. Marshall signed a total of seven receivers including three players rated a three-stars. Within that group, Marshall beat out schools like Florida, Auburn, Miami (FL), NC State, Purdue, Michigan, and Alabama. In this group, there’s plenty of speed and versatility for newly hired offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey to play with. Caleb McMillan, Corey Gammage, and Artie Henry are almost all guaranteed to provide depth at the “X” and “Z” positions. Jaquan Webb, Talik Keaton, and Jordan Wayne-Prather all possess the versatility to play inside and outside. Point is, with this influx of talent, Baker and Cramsey will be able to rotate bodies in consistently when Cramsey wants to play with tempo. ~ Josh Stowers

I'm over the moon with Marshall's haul at running back. I fully expect Jalynn Sykes to be a star and Lawrence Papillon will offer up immediate help in the return game, which is in need of an upgrade. Add in Kenny Wilkins, who projects at both RB and DB, and the 2018 RB group covers everything. Because Marshall is so deep at the RB position all three of the aforementioned backs can take their time developing and avoid being rushed into playing time before they're mentally and physically ready. ~ Chris McLaughlin

For me, it’s the defensive end position that concerns me the most. With the graduations of Blake Keller and Davon Durant as well as the tragedy surrounding Larry Aaron, Marshall’s flexibility up front has become an issue. Players like Ty Tyler and Channing Hames, who could easily flex out and play the end position will now have to remain inside. That only leaves Marshall with three players (Marquis Couch, Milan Lanier, and Charkie Johnson) who have seen game action at the defensive end position. It’s been rumored that Jaquan Yulee may make the transition down the end position, but that may not be entirely true. If he does make the move down, it’ll be to play the Fox position, which is essentially just a fourth linebacker. The guys that Marshall will need to mature in a hurry will be incoming red-shirt freshmen Koby Cumberlander and Darius Hodge. Both players will have spent a full year in the program when Marshall kicks off the 2018 season and may be able to help provide some playmaking ability. The cupboard isn’t bare, but it’s unseasoned. Defensive line coaches JC Price and Cornell Brown will need to do one of their best coaching jobs to sort it out before Marshall travels to Oxford, Ohio. ~ Josh Stowers

As I mentioned with before when discussing Taymon Cooke, it feels like Marshall's numbers at cornerback could have used a little more help with the 2018 class. Steven Gilmore is an excellent prospect and could push for playing time as early as his true freshman year, but the CB depth chart is both thin and unproven behind stalwart Chris Jackson. Marshall will need Jaylon McClain-Sapp to bounce back from injury and may need RS-FR Nirion Washington to make a huge jump. Injuries would be an absolute killer here. ~ Chris McLaughlin