HUNTINGTON -- It's the meat and potatoes of virtually every college football recruiting class.
Yes, from a fan and media perspective, it's more enticing to speculate on the 2,000-yard running back, the dual-threat quarterback and all-state defensive ends boasting 20-plus sacks. History proves, however, that the unsung, statistically-challenged offensive linemen often make or damage a recruiting class.
Marshall University has addressed just that in the past two recruiting seasons, signing seven tackles and/or guards. Each worked his way into this year's spring practice two-deep roster and will compete for starting spots in August.
Offensive line in general and tackles specifically again are priority prospects toward the Thundering Herd's signing class of 2009. At least 11 high school linemen have been offered scholarships, including a pair of local standouts.
Cabell Midland's Cole Bowers and Portsmouth's John Prior long have been prominent on Marshall's recruiting radar. Bowers, an athletic 6-foot-5, 280-pound rising senior rated No. 32 nationally at his position by www.scout.com, has verbally committed to West Virginia University; Prior (6-6, 280) is prepping for his senior season at nearby Portsmouth H.S. He reportedly has drawn strong interest from Ohio State, Iowa, WVU and Cincinnati.
Most of Marshall's offensive line offers have been extended to prospective tackles. A notable exception is Sam Simpson, Scout's No. 1-rated center for the 2009 class. The 6-5, 260-pound lineman from Henry Clay Senior H.S. (Ky.) has been offered by Auburn, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Stanford and Duke.
Keeping with the theme of Bowers, Prior and Simpson, Marshall is recruiting relatively close to home for offensive linemen. Two prospects from Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio have been offered, along with Bowers and at least one lineman each from Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Alex Bullard, the nation's No. 25-rated tackle by Scout, is drawing top-tier attention. Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, South Carolina and Vanderbilt also have offered the 6-4, 275-pound tackle from Brentwood Academy (Tenn.).
Mogan Moses is a fellow four-star prospect rated No. 27 nationally. The 6-7, 332-pound standout from Meadowbrook H.S. (Va.) has been offered by Alabama, Florida, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
Just as imposing is 6-9, 325-pound Trotwood Madison (Ohio) tackle Chris Freeman. Alabama, Florida, Illinois, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Michigan and Oregon have offered Freeman, rated No. 70 by Scout.
Maryland and WVU reportedly have offered Pat Eger, a 6-6, 252-pound tackle from Thomas Jefferson H.S. (Pa.). John McGhin, a 6-5, 285 prospect at Florida State University H.S., also has been offered by South Florida.
Knoxville Catholic (Tenn.) standout Daniel Hood (6-5, 260) has earned offers from Auburn, Tennessee, Georgia Tech and Louisville. Larry Warford, a 6-5, 320-pound tackle from Madison Central H.S. (Ky.) also has drawn high-profile offers but verbally committed early to Kentucky. Sam Johnson (6-5, 245) is an exception to Marshall's regional recruiting. Johnson is preparing for his senior season at Georgia's Cedar Grove H.S.
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