This is a tale of two quarterbacks.
Two short years ago, Chris Smith and Charlie Russell were All-Dot-Com.
You name the recruiting Web site, they were bally-hooed by it.
Rivals.com. Scout.com. Uneed2getalife.com.
As high school seniors, both Smith and Russell were considered blue-chip prospects.
Smith -- the favorite son recruit of Marshall fans because he hailed from nearby South Point, Ohio -- was ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the entire Buckeye State by several recruiting services.
Russell -- the home-grown favorite of West Virginia University fans after leading Morgantown High to a pair of Class AAA championship -- was ranked as the No. 22 pro-style quarterback in the entire nation by Rivals.
As a result, both Marshall and WVU - not to mention such schools as Kentucky, Iowa State and Cincinnati - offered Smith and Russell scholarships.
Both quarterbacks chose to stay home much to the delight of their partisan fans. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Smith signed with Marshall, while the 6-3, 225-pound Russell committed to the Mountaineers.
It was like a football fairy tale.
Until, that is, the story book developed an inexplicable ending straight from the Brothers Grimm.
After just one spring practice, Smith suddenly left the Marshall football program. The official reason was a hereditary anxiety disorder that medications had failed to control.
Just a few months later, Russell followed suit. He left WVU's football program, citing a desire to concentrate on academics. The biochemistry major hopes to attend WVU's medical school some day.
So, there you have it.
Two years ago, they were the brightest recruiting commodities imaginable ... home-grown quarterbacks.
Two years later, they left college football without even throwing a pass.
There's a lesson to be learned in this. Especially for the recruitaholics in the audience.
The next time a prospect is pumped up to be the greatest thing since sliced and grilled Rye bread on a Reuben, do yourself a favor.
Take it with a large helping of sauerkraut on the side.
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A pair of linemen have left Marshall's football program.
Defensive tackle Shane Moore, who played in 10 games including a starting assignment against Cincinnati last season as a true freshman, has decided to transfer to a school closer to his home near Raleigh, N.C.
Also departing is offensive guard Sergio Glenn. The 6-6, 330-pound North Carolina native was red-shirted last season.
The loss of Moore is significant because he was expected to get quality playing time next season.
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The departure of Moore makes the academic progress of non-qualifiers Delvin Johnson and Brandon Bullock even more important. Both defensive tackles are on course to be eligible for preseason camp.
The same is true of defensive end Vinny Curry and running back Jo Jo Cox.
Now, the only hurdle for Bullock is his weight. The behemoth's current size is 355 pounds.
Maybe there's just something weighty about the name Bullock.
Right, Toby?
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Marshall's game against WVU on Sept. 27 will feature a 3:30 p.m. kickoff at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown. As expected, the state rivalry will be televised by ESPN Regional.
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Best wishes to old friend Larry Kueck who departed Huntington last week. The former Marshall offensive coordinator has taken a coaching job at South Grand Prairie High School near Dallas. The Texas native will serve as offensive coordinator.
The Warriors got themselves a heckuva coach.
Chuck Landon is a sports columnist for The Herald-Dispatch. Call him at 526-2827. E-mail him at clandon@herald-dispatch.com.
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