MU Sports Information

 

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Athlon released its preseason all-Conference USA picks for the 2016 football season on Friday and Marshall was honored with ten selections.

Thundering Herd offensive linemen Michael Selby and Clint Van Horn were first-team picks, along with defensive end Gary Thompson and safety Tiquan Lang.

Selby leads all active Marshall offensive linemen with 27 starts and is making the move from guard to center in 2016.

Van Horn, a two-time all-league tackle, was granted a sixth season after missing most of last season due to injury.

Thompson was an honorable mention all-conference selection last season after racking up a team-high nine sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss.

Lang, who was also an honorable mention all-league pick a year ago, had two interception returns for touchdown in Marshall’s thrilling 41-31 victory over Purdue.

Both players (Lang-195, Thompson-107) are the Thundering Herd’s leading returning tacklers.

Tight end Ryan Yurachek and Ryan Bee were picked to the second team, while quarterback Chase Litton was tabbed to the third team.

Yurachek had 44 catches for 417 yards and nine touchdowns last year, a total that led all Marshall non-kickers in scoring.

Bee was voted to the league’s All-Freshman team last season, finishing the year with 59 tackles (15 solo), with 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two pass breakups, three fumbles recovered and 12 QB hurries.

Litton grabbed the starting quarterback spot in week three a year ago and threw 23 touchdown passes, a total that tied for first among true freshmen nationally.

Wideout Deon-Tay McManus made the fourth team, as did linebacker Shawn Petty and defensive back C.J. Reavis.

McManus is Marshall’s leading returning receiver with 61 career receptions, 756 yards and seven touchdowns.

Petty accumulated 37 tackles, including 4.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks in just nine games after missing four due to injury.

Reavis is a junior college transfer who will see his first action for Marshall in 2016 and stands to be a heavy contributor in the secondary.

Marshall kicks off its 2016 season on Sept. 10 at home against Morgan State in a contest that will be televised by beIN SPORTS at 6 p.m.

The Thundering Herd has amassed a 33-8 record over the past three seasons, a mark that stands atop the Group of Five.