Marshall University’s football program is gearing up for the 2026 Sun Belt Conference Media Days, set to take place in New Orleans, Louisiana, where head coach Tony Gibson will join senior quarterback Carlos Del Rio‑Wilson and defensive back Daytione Smith to showcase the team’s prospects.
Del Rio‑Wilson enters the preseason as the conference’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, having topped returning SBC players in total yards, rushing yards per game and quarterback rating last season.
Smith, a first‑team All‑SBC selection at defensive back, contributed 50 tackles and three interceptions in 2025, underscoring his role as a key playmaker on defense.
Preseason Outlook and Divisional Forecast
The 2026 SBC Preseason Poll projects Marshall to finish third in the East Division behind James Madison, who is favored to win the division, while Troy is slated to capture the West title.
Despite the projected third‑place finish, the Herd’s nine representatives on the Preseason All‑SBC Team signal a deep roster that could challenge the early favorites as the schedule unfolds.
The season will open on September 5 with a high‑profile matchup against Penn State at State College, Pennsylvania, a game that will test the team’s readiness for conference play.