The Marshall Thundering Herd is already generating buzz as the 2026 college football season approaches, with Athlon Sports naming a dozen of its players to the preseason All‑Sun Belt Conference teams.
Quarterback Carlos Del Rio‑Wilson headlines the list after shattering the program’s single‑season rushing record for a quarterback with 661 yards, while tight end Toby Payne earned first‑team honors after a standout 2025 campaign that saw him selected to the all‑Sun Belt first team.
Daytione Smith, a defensive back who recorded 50 tackles and three interceptions last season, joins a group that also includes offensive lineman Jalen Slappy, who has started 30 games over three seasons, and playmakers such as Xayvion Turner‑Bradshaw, who averaged 22.5 yards per kick return, and Jo’Shon Barbie, who scored five times in 2025.
Hall of Fame Inductions
The celebrations extend beyond the field, as two former stars were welcomed into the Conference USA Hall of Fame this fall. Jon Elmore, Marshall’s No. 2 all‑time leading scorer and a three‑time first‑team all‑Conference USA pick, led the team to a 2018 tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament victory. Rachel Folden, a softball slugger who earned Player of the Year honors in 2006 and 2008, ranks third in league history with a .811 slugging percentage and is among the top ten in home runs and walks.
Both inductees will be honored during the upcoming athletic hall of fame ceremony, underscoring the university’s rich sporting legacy. Marshall University, located in Huntington, West Virginia, continues to leverage its partnership with Conference USA to elevate its athletic programs.
With a blend of returning veterans and fresh additions, the Thundering Herd looks poised to translate preseason accolades into on‑field success, aiming to climb the conference standings and secure a spot in the NCAA postseason.