By GRANT TRAYLOR

Marshall Associated AD of SC

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football head coach Tony Gibson announced the addition of five new players to the 2025 Thundering Herd roster on Tuesday.

The signees add depth to several of the skill positions with two defensive backs, one running back, one wide receiver and a kicker joining the team.

New members of the Herd include former local standout Zah Jackson, a Huntington High product who has come back to play for his hometown college team, and Cal running back Justin Williams-Thomas, who adds depth to the running back room.

Here is the complete bio breakdown of the new players joining the team:

Zah Jackson, DB, 5-10, 185, Huntington, W.Va., WVU

Jackson comes to Marshall after spending the spring at WVU and was a highly-touted prospect out of Huntington High School where he was a two-way standout for head coach Billy Seals.

A three-star prospect, Jackson won 47 games – including the 2022 Class AAA state championship – while starring for the Highlanders as a two-time All-State First Team selection and the winner of the Carl Lee Award, presented to the state’s top defensive back by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. Jackson had multiple offers out of high school, including N.C. State and Mississippi State.

Sammy Etienne, DB, 5-11, 185, Winter Haven, Fla., WVU

Etienne joins former teammate Zah Jackson in signing with the Herd after spending the spring at WVU. The three-star prospect from talent-rich Lakeland H.S. in Florida finished the 2024 season with 59 tackles and an interception. Prior to Lakeland, Etienne also attended Auburndale H.S. Etienne had several Power 4 offers out of high school, including Washington, Oregon State, Kansas State and Colorado.

Justin Williams-Thomas, RB, 6-0, 215, Dallas, Ga., Cal

Williams-Thomas joins Marshall’s running back room after transferring from Cal. The 6-foot, 215-pound back spent the last two years at Cal after spending the 2022 season at Tennessee. Williams-Thomas has 128 yards on 32 total carries in limited action over three seasons. A four-star talent out of East Paulding, Williams-Thomas was one of the nation’s most-heralded running backs for the Class of 2022, ranking as the 22nd-best RB prospect in the class. He had more than 30 offers out of high school with several being high-major offers, including N.C. State, USC, Auburn, Louisville, Ole Miss, Michigan, WVU, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Pitt and Michigan State, among others.

De’Andre Tamarez, WR, 6-0, 174, Overtown, Fla., Western Carolina

Tamarez joins the Herd from Western Carolina where he played in all 11 games in 2024 and caught 33 passes for 576 yards and six touchdowns for the Catamounts. Tamarez’ top game in 2024 came against Montana when he caught eight passes for 229 yards with a touchdown. Tamarez committed to WCU out of perennial Florida powerhouse Carol City H.S.

Lorcan Quinn, K, 6-1, 190, Donaghmore, Ireland, St. Patrick’s Academy

Quinn joins Marshall’s special teams after being ranked as the No. 1 kicker through Kohl’s Kicking Academy for 2025. His most impressive performance came in a kicking camp at IMG Academy in Florida where he went 8-for-8 on field goal attempts with successful attempts from 68 and 69 yards during the camp. Prior to taking up American football, Quinn also played Gaelic football for five years.

These players have signed with the Herd and will be taking part in summer activities and fall preseason camp for the team prior to the 2025 season, which starts in August.