HUNTINGTON -- Scanning Joan C. Edwards Stadium Monday afternoon during Marshall Football Media Day, it was tough not to trip over the countless storylines.

There are the obvious -- a race to take over the marquee Thundering Herd position of starting quarterback and the anticipated return of All-Conference USA defensive end Albert McClellan from a knee injury. Numerous newcomers could ascend the depth chart early, and playmaking wide receiver Darius Passmore has declared himself 100 percent healthy after being slowed late last season with a pair of injuries.

Then there's the often-ignored, all-important third phase of the game. Both a new placekicker and punter will debut for Marshall this season, beginning with today's inaugural preseason practice.

Craig Ratanamorn calmed nerves of coaches, fans and teammates with his spring practice performance. The 6-foot-3, 187-pound junior dialed in consistency on mid-range field goals and impressed daily with 50-yard-plus launches.

Ratanamorn displayed the strong right leg during informal tryouts last year, but he was an unknown at best, joining Thundering Herd football after serving as goalkeeper on Marshall's soccer team. With his spring practice tests passed, he now works toward preparing for his first college football game Aug. 30 against Illinois State.

"The least of my worries is the pressure of the crowd," Ratanamorn said. "The real pressure on me is that I can be there for my teammates (and) even though I'm a little bit inexperienced my coaches can trust me to do the job right.

"I'm going to do the best I can and work hard so when it's time there's less pressure."

Switching from soccer to football has proven a wide-spread acclimation process. Along with the get-to-know-yous with new coaches and teammates, offseason workouts changed with a change of sport.

"It was (different)," Ratanamorn said. "It was a lot more weights, less running. And the coaches are a lot harder on you. You always take that as a positive though."

THE GOOD AND THE NOT SO MUCH: News is mixed concerning injuries entering preseason camp.

Passmore is fully healed from last year's sports hernia and meniscus injury. The 6-3, 188-pound downfield threat managed an earlier-than-expected return late in spring practice.

Offensive lineman Daniel Baldridge also is all the way back after rehabilitating a shoulder injury. McClellan has been cleared for practice after nearly a year of rehab.

Wideout Charles Walker, however, likely will sidelined for at least the immediate future after being spotted on crutches during Media Day. Fellow junior college transfer Maurice Graham, a highly-regarded 6-5, 306-pound tight end, also has been slowed by injury.

Anthony Hanshew is the Marshall football reporter for The Herald-Dispatch. Call him at 526-2766 or email him at ahanshew@heralddispatch.com.

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