MU center not quite ready

HUNTINGTON - Preseason practice is set to start one week from today, and it appears Marshall will be without one of its projected starters. Sophomore center John Bruhin continues to battle a pair of bulging discs in his back, an injury that forced him to miss the Thundering Herd's last week of spring practice. As he did in April, junior Chad Schofield will move from left guard to replace Bruhin at center on the first-string offensive line. Juniors Brandon Campbell and Josh Evans took turns at Schofield's spot in spring practice, but Evans since has transferred to Fairmont State of the NCAA Division II West Virginia Conference. Evans started at left guard in Marshall's first six games last year, losing his first-string spot to Schofield in the Herd's final six games. He started all 12 games at left guard two years ago, earning all-freshman honors from Conference USA coaches and media members. Other than Bruhin, Marshall Coach Mark Snyder has a healthy Herd. That includes sophomore tailback Terrell Edwards (shoulder) and sophomore cornerback T.J. Drakeford (ankle), both of whom were injured in April but are ready to go for August. Edwards played in nine games in 2008. He finished with 154 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Drakeford started 11 games last year. He ranked second in pass breakups (nine) and ninth in tackles (47). --- Cody Slate has added 12 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot-4 frame and will enter preseason practice at 229 pounds. "The coaches told me not to really worry about trying to gain weight, just try to get strong and wherever my body went, that's where we were going to go with it," said Slate, a senior tight end who needs only 88 yards to become the school's all-time leading receiver at his position. "I got stronger. "I feel like I'm in the best shape I have ever been. I feel wonderful." Slate, who has 149 catches for 2,012 yards and 19 touchdowns at Marshall, reportedly isn't the only one whose body is dramatically different. "I'm not really allowed to talk about (the progress the players have made and the work they have done this summer)," Snyder said, "but I will say this: When I was in town, before I went on vacation and especially after I got back, you guys are going to see next week, we look like a different football team. "We got good-looking players. Cody being one of them, putting on all of the weight he has put on. There are some good-looking football players here. I'm excited to have a chance to get to see some of the freshmen." --- OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR John Shannon is back for his second season at Marshall, and Slate said that only can help the Herd. "We know what to expect from him and he knows what to expect from us," Slate said. "We're on the same page. When he calls a play, we know why he's calling and what he expects from it." Marshall's offense averaged 20.5 points and 330.1 total yards on 64.5 plays per game in 2008. --- AS A late addition to the Herd's roster, sophomore cornerback Rashad Jackson will be a walk-on in the fall but will receive a scholarship in the spring. Paying for his college costs for a semester probably won't be a financial strain for Jackson, whose father is former New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers' linebacker Rickey Jackson. Jackson came to Marshall from Joliet (Ill.) Junior College , where he recorded 30 solo tackles, intercepted four passes and forced one fumble last season. He will have three years of eligibility remaining. --- THE HERD has received its third verbal commitment for its 2010 recruiting class. The prospect is Myrtle Beach (S.C.) High School offensive lineman James Power, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound athlete who will play tight end and long snapper in college . Power also had interest from North Carolina, North Carolina State, Penn State, Rutgers, South Carolina and Wake Forest, according to rivals.com. His older brother, Andrew Power, is a redshirt freshman tight end at South Carolina. Contact sportswriter Jacob Messer at jacobmesser@dailymail.com or 304-348-1712.