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MARSHALL SPORTS
MU notebook: Two linemen have reason to celebrate
One defensive lineman is celebrating a comeback. Another is primed to begin what could be a special Marshall University football career.
It's been a long time coming for both Albert McClellan and Delvin Johnson. The former is back from last year's season-ending knee injury, while Johnson sat out 2007 as an academic non-qualifier.
During the past 12 months, McClellan rehabbed and Johnson earned eligibility by way of the classroom. On Saturday, the playmaking duo will line up side by side when the Thundering Herd opens the season against Illinois State. Kickoff at Joan C. Edwards Stadium is 4:30 p.m. and WOWK (Huntington-Charleston), WVNS (Beckley-Bluefield) and WBOY (Clarksburg) will televise the game.
"It was hard," McClellan said of his year removed from the game. "I'm very competitive. I always want to go. I'm up for any challenges. It was pretty hard to sit there and watch."
McClellan, a disruptive defensive end who totaled 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in 2006, remained proactive throughout his down time. He emerged as a coach to younger teammates and addressed his own game, spending overtime in the film room.
"It helped me out a lot," the 6-foot-2, 252-pound junior said. "I learned a lot of schemes and I know to look at the line a little differently during games.
". ... It's going to be a big milestone to come across. I hope I can just do what I did when I left the game."
Johnson appears prepped to aid that effort. The sophomore's potential was evident from preseason camp's opening practice and he will start his first college football game.
"Delvin's going to get some double teams a lot quicker than I got my sophomore year," McClellan said. "Delvin's a big guy, 6-4, 305 pounds, can probably run a 4.7. He doesn't know how strong he is.
"He's still learning the game, but once he learns it it's going to be real nasty out on the field."
"Nasty" is an appropriate description, just as it would be easy to refer to the hulking tackle as a "beast" or a "monster." Then Johnson speaks and a thankful, modest young man insists he isn't swayed by his considerable hype.
"It's just very emotional right now," Johnson said. "I want to just want to thank God for every moment. I just want to thank Him, because without Him and my family and my friends (and teammates), Brandon Bullock, Vinny Curry and Jo Jo Cox this wouldn't have been possible.
"You've got to stay humble with every moment you get because a year ago none of this was even happening. We (Johnson, Curry, Bullock and Cox) were in a room all day or probably in the stands.
"You have to remain humble and that's what we've been doing so far."
Reasons for McClellan's opening game excitement, meanwhile, are two-fold. One is the obvious, returning to the game from serious injury. Secondly, the notion of playing beside Johnson is enticing.
"With people like that that are demanding double teams - you can only double team so many people," McClellan said. "Somebody is going to be free. It's up to us when they decide who to double team."
QUITE A FOURSOME: There's diversity and then there's Illinois State's defensive line.
Defensive end Adam Blankenship rode a bull for 4.5 seconds at age 18. Tackle Eric Brunner is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys annual fishing trips in Ontario, Canada.
Then there's fellow tackle Mike Piton, a self-proclaimed "computer geek" who has built a computer. End Don Phelps received a black belt in kajukenbo at age 16.
"Everybody is so diverse and so outgoing," said Phelps, a junior college transfer. "That was especially good for me because coming in there was no difficulty coming in and fitting in.
"Everybody came to me with open arms. Our atmosphere is to work first but make sure we're having a good time at the same time. That's part of that camaraderie and relationship-building with the team."
Naturally, Phelps is a fan of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the No. 1 mixed martial arts organization. As for a favorite, Phelps pegged the pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter in the world.
"I'd have to say Anderson Silva," Phelps said of UFC middleweight champion. "The guy is just a vicious, violent guy. When you look at a situation like martial arts, it's one on one competition, and you're depending on yourself to win the match. There's nobody to make up if you make a mistake.
"I'd have to say Anderson Silva and (former UFC light heavyweight champ) Rampage Jackson. It seems like they have a plan on what they're doing and they execute it. I really respect that about them."
Anthony Hanshew covers Marshall football for The Herald-Dispatch. He can be reached at 526-2766. His e-mail address is hanshew@herald-dispatch.com.
