Initial Class of 2024 Signing Day produces solid balance of H.S. prospects, transfers
Marshall Football coach Charles Huff welcomed 19 new members of the Thundering Herd football family on Wednesday during the early period of National Signing Day for the Class of 2024.
The early signees featured 11 high school prospects and eight transfers who will help fill the needs of the team both in the immediate future and for long-term sustainability of success.
Once again, the Herd’s recruiting class is in the top-tier in the Sun Belt Conference, according to 247Sports.
“I’m really excited to bring this class in!” Huff said. “In today’s landscape of college football, the right balance of high school players and portal guys is critical. This class is made up of some really talented young men that have the grit we look for and the talent needed to help us keep building this program!”
In terms of immediate impact, there are several players within the class who stand out as those who could contribute quickly for the Herd.
Running back Jordan Houston of N.C. State and wide receivers Elijah Metcalf, Christian Fitzpatrick and Tychaun Chapman are names of skill players that pop out immediately.
Houston began 2023 as a starter for the Wolfpack before opting out prior to the Herd’s visit to Raleigh in September. Houston had nearly 1,800 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns during his time with the Wolfpack.
Metcalf led Middle Tennessee in receiving (54 receptions, 634 yards, five TDs) while Fitzpatrick caught 18 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown this season and has 28 games of experience under his belt with Michigan State. Chapman is a former four-star prospect out of high school with tremendous upside that comes to Marshall from North Carolina. They were three of five wide receivers to sign on Wednesday, joining high school prospects Marcel Williams and Ryley McIntosh.
The Herd nabbed another ACC product in quarterback Mitch Griffis, who brings game experience to the quarterback room, along with Cole Pennington and Colin Parachek. Former Tulsa offensive lineman Jeremy Jones was brought in to protect whomever the starter will be while former Kent State tight end Justin Holmes brings about a blocking presence who can also provide a target in the pass game.
On the defensive side, former East Carolina defensive lineman Jason Shuford headlines a group of four signees to the defensive front. Others include high school products Michael Lunsford of Cabell Midland, Chris Stokes of East Paulding (Ga.) and Cameron Chmura of North Allegheny (Pa.).
Lunsford is one of two Marshall signees who decided to stay home to run with the Herd despite multiple offers, joining Hurricane quarterback JacQai Long.
Marshall’s early signing class filled many positions of need with the five wide receivers and four defensive linemen accounting for nearly half of the signees.
Other Class of 2024 high school signees who are expected to build for the Herd’s future include Cincinnati Colerain (Ohio) defensive back Corey Myrick, St. Augustine (La.) running back Moses Gray, Jr., Bloomington North (Ind.) tight end Aidan Steinfeldt, Bradford (Fla.) linebacker Chason Clark (Starke, Fla.) and Myrtle Beach Prep (S.C.) offensive lineman Andrew Hancock.
Here is a list of Marshall Football’s Class of 2024 signees, along with capsule information on each of the signees.
3:52 p.m.: Chris Stokes, DL, 6-3, 305, Dallas, Georgia, East Paulding
8:50 a.m.: Corey Myrick, DB, 6-3, 185, Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati Colerain
8:25 a.m.: Moses Gray, Jr., RB, 6-1, 205, Waggaman, Louisiana, St. Augustine H.S.
7:50 a.m.: Marcel Williams, WR, 6-0, 190, Hollywood, Fla., Blanche Ely H.S.
7:35 a.m.: Aidan Steinfeldt, TE, 6-4, 250, Bloomington, Ind., Bloomington North H.S.
7:33 a.m.: Ryley McIntosh, WR, 5-11, 180, Virginia Beach, Va., Kempsville, H.S.
7:22 a.m.: JacQai Long, QB, 6-2, 210, Hurricane, W.Va., Hurricane H.S.
7:16 a.m.: Chason Clark, LB, 6-2, 200, Starke, Fla., Bradford H.S.
7:16 a.m.: Cameron Chmura, DL, 6-3, 300, Wexford, Pa., North Allegheny H.S.
7:12 a.m.: Michael Lunsford, DL, 6-3, 270, Milton, W.Va., Cabell Midland H.S.
7:10 a.m.: Andrew Hancock, OL, 6-5, 300, Youngsville, N.C., Myrtle Beach Prep
Signed: Tychaun Chapman, WR, 5-9, 175, Virginia Beach, Va., North Carolina
Signed: Christian Fitzpatrick, WR, 6-4, 220, Southfield, Mich., Michigan State
Signed: Mitch Griffis, QB, 5-11, 193, Ashburn, Va., Wake Forest
Signed: Justin Holmes, TE, 6-3, 237, Kutztown, Pennsylvania, Kent State
Signed: Jordan Houston, RB, 5-9, 180, Oakton, Va., N.C. State
Signed: Jeremy Jones, OL , 6-5, 314, Lewisville, Texas, Tulsa
Signed: Elijah Metcalf, WR, 5-9, 170, Charlotte, N.C., Middle Tennessee
Signed: Jason Shuford, DL, 6-4, 322, Statesville, N.C., East Carolina
Biographical information for high school signees
Name: Cameron Chmura
Position: DL
Height: 6-3
Weight: 300
Hometown: Wexford, Pennsylvania
High School: North Allegheny
The talented big man from North Allegheny comes to Marshall after helping lead his team to a 6A State Runner-Up finish and consecutive WPIAL Championships. Chmura was named First Team All-Conference and was also a nominee for the Bill Fralic Award, which is given to the WPIAL’s best interior lineman. Chmura chose Marshall over offers from Ohio, Kent State and UMass.
Name: Chason Clark
Position: LB
Height: 6-2
Weight: 200
Hometown: Starke, Florida
High School: Bradford
Clark is a three-star prospect out of Florida who finished the 2023 season at Bradford with 134 tackles and 20 tackles for loss while leading the Tornadoes to a 14-1 record and a runner-up finish in Florida’s 2S State Championship. Clark chose Marshall over offers from Georgia Southern, Army, Navy, Ohio, Toledo, Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan. He also had interest from Florida, Florida State, Louisville, UCF, USF and Wake Forest.
Name: Moses Gray, Jr.
Position: RB
Height: 6-1
Weight: 205
Hometown: Waggaman, Louisiana
High School: St. Augustine
A big-bodied running back out of the New Orleans area, Gray committed to Marshall after being offered in June 2023. Gray had an offer from Mississippi Valley State while receiving interest from Mississippi State, Southern Miss and Troy.
Name: Andrew Hancock
Position: OL
Height: 6-5
Weight: 300
Hometown: Youngsville, North Carolina
High School: Myrtle Beach Collegiate (S.C.)
The three-star prospect committed to Marshall on Sept. 25 after seeing the Herd’s win over Virginia Tech. Hancock originally played for the North Wake Saints in the North Carolina Private League, then transitioned to Myrtle Beach Collegiate to finish his prep career. Hancock chose Marshall over offers from Coastal Carolina and Elon. It is expected that he will enroll in January.
Name: JacQai Long
Position: QB
Height: 6-2
Weight: 210
Hometown: Hurricane, West Virginia
High School: Hurricane
A three-star prospect out of Hurricane, Long is a dual-threat talent at the quarterback spot who completed 120 of 184 passes for 1,833 yards and 19 touchdowns with just two interceptions while also rushing for 393 yards and another seven touchdowns on 60 carries in 2023. Long chose to stay home at Marshall over offers from App State, Arkansas State, East Carolina, Memphis, Miami (Ohio) and Toledo.
Name: Michael Lunsford
Position: DL
Height: 6-3
Weight: 270
Hometown: Milton, West Virginia
High School: Cabell Midland
The three-star prospect from nearby Cabell Midland has been a standout for the Knights and former Marshall offensive lineman Luke Salmons during his prep career. Lunsford is a two-time Class AAA All-State First Team selection as a defensive lineman and brings size, toughness and a nasty streak to the Thundering Herd defensive line room. Lunsford chose Marshall over offers from App State, Toledo, Jacksonville State and Eastern Kentucky. He also had interest from N.C. State, Virginia Tech, Cincinnati and South Carolina.
Name: Ryley McIntosh
Position: WR
Height: 5-11
Weight: 180
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia
High School: Kempsville
A three-star prospect, McIntosh was rated as the No. 42 senior in the state of Virginia for the Class of 2024 by ESPN and was also the No. 15 overall prospect in The Virginian-Pilot’s Top-50 of Hampton Roads Class of ’24 as well. McIntosh chose Marshall over offers from Pitt, Maryland, Liberty, James Madison, Buffalo and Norfolk State.
Name: Corey Myrick
Position: DB
Height: 6-3
Weight: 185
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School: Cincinnati Colerain
Myrick is a three-star prospect from Cincinnati who chose the Thundering Herd over 17 other FBS offers. The talented athlete is a three-sport standout at Colerain who brings twitch and playmaking ability to the Herd’s defensive backfield. Myrick also has experience at both cornerback and free safety, giving him a versatility that adds well for the Herd. Corey chose Marshall over offers from West Virginia, Colorado State, James Madison, Ohio, Toledo, Miami (Ohio), Charlotte and several others.
Name: Aidan Steinfeldt
Position: TE
Height: 6-4
Weight: 250
Hometown: Bloomington, Indiana
High School: Bloomington North
Steinfeldt is a three-star prospect who was named as Indiana’s Mr. Football at the Tight End spot and to the 2023 Indiana Football Coaches Top 50 All-State Team following a successful career in which he exits as Bloomington North’s all-time leader in receptions (145), yards (1,726) and touchdowns (24). This season, Aidan caught 44 passes for 586 yards and seven scores. He chose Marshall over offers from West Virginia, Indiana, Minnesota, Miami (Ohio) and Western Michigan.
Name: Chris Stokes
Position: DL
Height: 6-3
Weight: 305
Hometown: Dallas, Georgia
High School: East Paulding
The bruising defensive lineman out of East Paulding committed to Marshall in the summer after a June visit. Stokes was named an All-Region player by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered a Power Five talent by recruiting services in the Atlanta area. Stokes chose Marshall over offers from Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern, East Carolina, UAB, Western Kentucky and Western Carolina.
Name: Marcel Williams
Position: WR
Height: 6-0
Weight: 190
Hometown: Hollywood, Florida
High School: Blanche Ely
A three-star prospect at the wide receiver spot, Williams led Blanche Ely to a 9-3 record in the 2023 season. In nine games played, Williams caught 47 passes for 819 yards and seven touchdowns while also boasting of five games in which he finished with 100 yards or more. His best effort was a 10-catch, 167-yard outing against Coconut Creek. Williams chose Marshall over offers from Maryland, Western Kentucky and Akron.
Biographical information for transfer signees
Name: Tychaun Chapman
Position: WR
Height: 5-9
Weight: 175
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Va.
Former School: North Carolina
A four-star prospect out of high school, Chapman appeared in 14 career games with the Tar Heels with 12 coming this season. In 2023, Chapman caught seven passes for 135 yards with a touchdown. ESPN had him as the No. 55 prospect nationally, as well as the No. 5 wide receiver nationally and No. 3 overall player in Virginia in its ESPN 300 for the Class of 2022. The Virginia Beach native was also listed by 247Sports as the 172nd-best player in the nation and the No. 5 player in the state of Virginia in the Class of 2022, as well as being ranked as the nation’s 24th-best receiver.
Name: Christian Fitzpatrick
Position: WR
Height: 6-4
Weight: 220
Hometown: Southfield, Michigan
Former School: Michigan State
The former Michigan State and Louisville wide receiver signed with the Thundering Herd after entering the transfer portal. While with the Spartans in 2023, Fitzpatrick caught 18 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown. He played in 28 games in three years with the Spartans after transferring there from Louisville following the 2020 season. Was ranked as one of Michigan’s top prospects and the 74th ranked wide receiver coming out of Southfield A&T High School.
Name: Mitch Griffis
Position: QB
Height: 5-11
Weight: 194
Hometown: Ashburn, Virginia
Former School: Wake Forest
The former Wake Forest quarterback signed with the Thundering Herd after entering the transfer portal recently. In 2023, Griffis threw for 1,553 yards and nine touchdowns and seven interceptions while adding another 128 yards and two scores on the ground. In his four years with the Demon Deacons, Griffis appeared in 23 games and threw for 1,957 yards with 15 touchdowns.
Name: Justin Holmes
Position: TE
Height: 6-3
Weight: 237
Hometown: Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Former School: Kent State
The talented transfer from Kent State started in all 12 games for the Golden Flashes in the 2023 season. Holmes hauled in 20 receptions for 188 yards with a season-high 61 yards against Bowling Green. In two years with Kent State, Holmes played in 21 games. Prior to Kent State, he was a standout at Northwest Lehigh (Pa.) where he played receiver and quarterback while leading his team to an 11-1 season.
Name: Jordan Houston
Position: RB
Height: 5-9
Weight: 180
Hometown: Oakton, Va.
Former School: N.C. State
Houston was the starting running back to open the season for the Wolfpack, but opted to redshirt before entering the transfer portal. During his career with N.C. State, he rushed 324 times for 1,392 yards and six touchdowns while catching 60 passes for 398 yards and another score. Houston was ranked as the 25th-best running back available nationally in the NCAA transfer portal by 247Sports.
Name: Jeremy Jones
Position: OL
Height: 6-5
Weight: 314
Hometown: Lewisville, Texas
Former School: Tulsa
An experienced talent on the offensive line, Jones played in 34 career games for the Golden Hurricane before opting to enter the portal and sign with the Thundering Herd. He will bring much-needed depth to the Marshall offensive line in 2024.
Name: Elijah Metcalf
Position: WR
Height: 5-9
Weight: 164
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Former School: Middle Tennessee
Metcalf comes to Marshall from Middle Tennessee where he was a standout receiver for the Blue Raiders. In 2023, Metcalf led the team with 54 receptions for 634 yards and five touchdowns. That figure included a career-high 11 receptions against Colorado State. He also had four receptions for 115 yards and two scores against Jacksonville State. Metcalf has played in 29 games in three years with Middle Tennessee, making 13 career starts. He is a former three-star prospect from Mallard Creek (N.C.)
Name: Jason Shuford
Position: DL
Height: 6-4
Weight: 322
Hometown: Statesville, N.C.
Former School: East Carolina
Shuford appeared in 35 career games during his four seasons with the Pirates, compiling 12 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and one fumble recovery. The big nose tackle came to ECU from Statesville High School where he was a productive defensive tackle in the Class of 2020.
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**Press release from Marshall University – HERDZONE – 12/20/2023 7:15:00 PM | Football