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MARSHALL SPORTS
Despite depth Herd recruiting running backs
HUNTINGTON -- Marshall University football is more than set at running back entering the 2008 season, but recruiting is about the future.
At least three of the nation's top 100 tailbacks have been offered scholarships by Marshall, which has recruited the position well in recent years. The current depth chart includes sophomore Darius Marshall, seniors Chubb Small and Kelvin Turner and redshirt freshman Terrell Edwards. A trio of highly-touted true freshmen join the program this season, but too much tailback depth is an oxymoron within college football.
Marshall football coaches are recruiting familiar territory for ball carriers toward the 2009 recruiting class. Ohio again is prevalent along with the South.
Bud Golden's tough running between the tackles has earned strong interest throughout the Midwest. The 6-foot, 189-pound senior at Sycamore High School (Ohio) is listed as the nation's No. 15 running back prospect by the recruiting Web site www.rivals.com and No. 43 by www.scout.com. Golden also has been offered by Cincinnati and Indiana.
Bradley Battles joins Golden as an elite prospect entering his senior season. The 5-11, 195-pound tailback from Marianna H.S. (Fla.) is rated No. 12 at his position by Rivals and No. 47 by Scout. Just as telling, he earned first-team 2A all-state honors after rushing for 2,100 yards and 25 touchdowns as a junior.
Battles added more than 400 total yards in receiving and kick returns during his breakout season. He's verbally committed to South Florida and also has received offers from Kentucky and Northern Illinois.
Tim Simon also ranks among the nation's top 100 tailback prospects entering this fall. Ranked No. 42 by Rivals and No. 73 by Scout, Simon sizes up similarly to Edwards, a fellow Alabama high school standout.
Simon is physical at 6-2 and 200 pounds, and has been timed at an impressive 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He rushed for 1,566 yards and 33 touchdowns as a junior, leading Cordova H.S. to a state championship.
Auburn, Alabama, Clemson, Kentucky and Mississippi State also have offered Simon, who earned Class 3A first team all-state honors last year.
