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Several position groups have seen a complete overhaul. HereÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a few names for which to be on the lookout, with some assistance from Marshall coach Tony Gibson.

GibsonÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Picks

When asked, here are the names Gibson put forth as players to watch.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œEverybody knows Toby Payne is coming back at tight end. To pick out a few individuals, Toby is going to be a guy. Carlos Del Rio, our quarterback, heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s special, along with Zion Turner and JaÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™Qai Long. TheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re still battling it out,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Gibson said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œDefensively, a name to watch is Cam Smith at safety that I really, really like. Javae Gilmore is another kid that has really stepped up and done good things. And then we have our nose guard, KaTron Evans. IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m excited about him as well.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Carlos Del Rio-Wilson

Del Rio-Wilson, Zion Turner and JacQai Long have split most of the reps open to the media in spring practice. There is not a depth chart yet. The starter will be named in the fall.

For general strengths, Del Rio-Wilson brings time as a backup alongside his resume of being a former four-star prospect. ThereÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s not as much film as there is with Turner, but thereÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a reason that Gibson has been talking a lot about him recently.

Turner has comfort in a Rod Smith offense that gives his tool set an edge. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s also had more time as a starter than most anyone else in the group due to his time at Connecticut, where he started as a true freshman due to injury. He played against Marshall in a bowl game that season.

Long is an exciting young option that has routinely made big plays during drills media members were able to see. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s certainly moving in the right direction each day and is a local favorite.

What does Del Rio-Wilson bring to the table as a prospect?

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI think I bring the table, to be honest with you,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� he said.

ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll be great to see what Del Rio-Wilson can do in game reps. He was ranked as the No. 16 quarterback in his class at the time of his recruitment.

He spent his time at Syracuse as a backup, missing half of 2024 due to injury. Much of what Del Rio-Wilson brings off the field is a high level of coachability and confidence. Obviously, the talent is there. He has plenty of mobility and can make major throws. He said he is still working on placements as a passer.

But what sticks out about him are the quotes like he had above. He knows he has talent, and he plays with that confidence. He also said he spent his spring break working on the things that the staff said he could improve on.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œSpeeding up my timing with my reads and everything. My throws ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” if a throw isnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t there, instantly taking off instead of contemplating or thinking about it too much,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Del Rio-Wilson said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI was working on that, and I feel like itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s showing.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Those extra hours have paid off. In recent weeks, Gibson has mentioned Del Rio-Wilson twice as a player from whom he has seen improvement.

Toby Payne

Payne was the first name Gibson mentioned, and itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s probably because he seems like a perfect fit for the culture that Marshall is building.

Payne said he has added about 10 pounds in the offseason, making him an even greater presence at tight end as a key returner.

The Poca native started in 11 games last season and played in 13. He had 168 yards and six touchdowns on 17 passes.

What may stick out from Payne this weekend is not only how that size will help him in the passing game, but also in his run-blocking. Offensive coordinator Rod SmithÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s up-tempo style often comes with a run-first mentality. That, on its own, will be exciting. But the work that Payne has put in coming to fruition will certainly be on a short list of things to watch in that new offense.

Jalen Slappy

While Gibson didnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t mention him by name, Slappy is an incredible vocal leader. As early as the first day of spring practice, he was encouraging his fellow offensive linemen through drills to get that last bit of effort out.

It translates to the red-zone drills that media did see. Often, the line was pushing ahead for final efforts in goal-line situations. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s another incredibly important piece of a tempo offense ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” if you donÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t have protection, you have no time to make the already short decisions at quarterback.

Gibson said offensive line, defensive line and cornerback are his picks for the positions with the most depth. Slappy will be at the forefront of that for the offense.

Michael Allen

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ members had the opportunity to talk with the UNLV transfer running back following the practice week ahead of spring break. He had a few major pushes in those goal-line drills and plays with an, in his words, run-through-that-guy mentality.

There will likely be a lot of players carrying the ball on Saturday, one of whom is Allen. He also said he is always working on his pass protections, so that will be another aspect of importance from the backs.

Antonio Harmon

Harmon passes the eye test while standing still. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds. As a transfer from Mississippi State, Harmon has a pair of SEC starts under his belt and has 159 yards on 19 catches in his career thus far.

Gibson said on national signing day that wide receiver was one of the biggest needs for the Thundering Herd. Harmon is one of the most exciting signees.

HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s another former four-star prospect akin to Del Rio-Wilson with a proven ability to maintain a spot on an SEC roster. While his career high in receptions in Mississippi was three, itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll be higher in Huntington. Harmon loves the explosiveness of this offense, in his words, so look for big plays from him.

Cam Smith

Smith wears No. 0 and is the first name listed on the online roster. At safety, heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s also the first name that Gibson mentioned with the defense.

A Jackson State transfer, the redshirt senior is listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. In his time with the Tigers, he played in four games and recorded nine tackles, one for loss. He also spent time at Eastern Michigan, playing in 13 games. In that season, he had 45 total tackles and a tackle for loss as a defensive back. He had an interception and two pass breakups.

An interesting caveat that was given by corner Louikenzy Jules during an interview was that the entire secondary is being coached as if they were safeties. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s allowed communication on defense to be ahead of the curve since the first day of practice. Smith will be one of the guys that leads that role for the defensive back group.

Katron Evans

Evans is a transfer from Charlotte who brings a veteran presence to the defensive line as a redshirt senior. He had one of his best performances against North Carolina, recording a trio of tackles against a Power Four opponent.

He also has the Jackson State connection, playing there before his time at Charlotte. In his time there, he posted a career high of five tackles.

Playing nose guard at Marshall, Evans will be a centerpiece among the depth that Gibson describes for the defensive line.

Javae Gilmore

Gilmore is another Mississippi State transfer. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, the linebacker played in 24 games for the Bulldogs. While his snap count isnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t the largest, itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s always exciting to see Power Four talents come down to the Group of Five level and go to work ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” look no further than Mike Green.

Linebackers are often the vocal leaders of the defense, so it will be worth watching Gilmore and the rest of the linebacker corps for how they adjust as snaps play out. Gibson has said on multiple occasions that the defense is ahead of schedule.

During the red zone drills media watched early on, Gilmore and the linebackers often stuffed the run in goal-line situations on consecutive plays.

Cannon Lewis

Lewis, a redshirt freshman and a Cabell Midland High product, has a prior connection with Gibson after their 2024 season together at North Carolina State. He has spoken multiple times about his excitement to be playing football in his hometown, and heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s also spoke highly of Gibson at every turn ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” saying he would follow him anywhere.

Lewis pops out on some plays with his quickness to make a jump and get in on a big play.