HUNTINGTON -- Kicking off Tuesday when Marshall University conducts its initial preseason football practice, all eyes predictably will shift to the quarterbacks.
Led by Mark Cann, a foursome will compete to take over under center. Safe to say, however, that the opposite end of Joan C. Edwards Stadium, where defensive linemen slam into blocking sleds and work on technique, will draw its share of attention.
Albert McClellan is set for his return after missing 2007 with a knee injury suffered during preseason camp. Conference USA's 2006 Defensive Player of the Year has been medically cleared to continue what has been a brilliant college career.
The Lakeland, Fla., native began making a depth chart move midway through his true freshman season and finished 2005 with 40 tackles, including seven for loss and three sacks. McClellan simply was dominant the following season, ranking sixth in the nation with 19 tackles for loss and seventh nationally with 11 sacks.
A fluke, virtual non-contact knee injury required surgery, but he qualified for a medical redshirt and enters this season as a junior. He's added considerable bulk and is listed at 6-foot-2 and 252 pounds.
Following a year of rehabilitation, the pass-rushing defensive end now must learn to again trust the repaired knee.
"For the first practice I just hope everything goes right. I really just want to test this knee out to see how it goes," McClellan said. "I'm looking forward to that."
And is there a fear factor that comes with that first practice?
"No. I figure if I don't worry about it, just give it my all, we'll see what happens," he said.
WELCOME TO THE THUNDERING HERD, OFFICIALLY: For a full year, Brandon Bullock and Delvin Johnson peeked in from the outside.
As academic non-qualifiers, the imposing defensive tackles had to sit out the 2007 season. Bullock and Johnson couldn't attend team meetings or closed practices and sat in the stands on game days.
Each logged the proper academic time and effort and reported to preseason camp Sunday with their new teammates. Without playing a down, much has been written and opined of the 300-pounders.
Bullock, who admittedly is working into football shape at 345 pounds, clearly is taking the baby steps approach.
"I don't want to get big-headed and then not do what I'm supposed to do," Bullock said. "I've just got to work on myself first, and then as time goes on, if people approve of what I'm doing, I guess I'm doing a good job."
While removed from the game, Bullock and Johnson formed a formidable friendship. Rarely is one seen without the other, and they're roommates for August camp.
"(He's) like my big brother," said Johnson, the runt of the twosome at a mere 302 pounds. "Anything he's gone through, I've probably gone through. I gave him a shoulder to lean on and he gave me a shoulder. The friendship is just amazing."
Bullock and Johnson should provide depth to a defensive front welcoming McClellan's return and adding another '07 non-qualifier, end Vinny Curry.
"That's like my best friend now," Bullock said of Johnson. "He knows all about me, and I know all about him. I know his dos and don'ts and he knows my dos and don'ts."
No longer shut out from team meetings and practices, the coming three weeks will prove pivotal for both. It's been a long time coming after essentially coaching each other up for a full year.
"It was just like that," Johnson said. "It's that much easier to make it ... when you have a person like that on your side."
THE DIRT ROAD: Matt Altobello's path to senior leader and potential starter has been winding at best.
He joined the Thundering Herd as a walk-on, a virtual unknown practicing on the grass field where the Dunfee Weight and Conditioning Center now is located. The Keyser, W.Va., native since has earned a scholarship, worked with the first team throughout spring practice and enters preseason as the right guard frontrunner.
"There were times when it was really rough to tell you the truth as a walk-on," Altobello said. "You don't think you're going to make it. People tell you you're not going to make it. But it's something you have to persevere through. And that's really all it is, perseverance."
Altobello graduated in May with an elementary education degree and will attend graduate school in the coming semester.
ADDITION TO HERD FOOTBALL FAMILY: While checking into Twin Towers on Sunday, players were asked to list their must-have items for dorm life. Xbox and other gaming hardware were popular choices; safety C.J. Spillman clutched his pillow as his lone had-to-have possession.
Terrell Edwards' response was unique and immediate.
"My son," he said.
Moments later, Edwards, a redshirt freshman running back, proudly showed off three-week old Kayden Latrell Edwards, quietly resting in dad's arms amidst the relative chaos of moving day.
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