At this early stage of preseason camp, only one such newcomer has the inside road to a starting spot, punter Kase Whitehead. He still must prove himself in the pressure of the Thundering Herd's kick scrimmage, but he is showing a solid leg so far.

Others are getting a good look, but are pretty much third-teamers at this point. That includes cornerback Ahmed Shakoor, defensive end John Youboty and the young running backs, led by Martin Ward and maybe Jordan Taylor.

The promise is there, but it just so happens this class of newcomers includes an unusually high number of junior-college players, eight. And then there are the four nonqualifiers from 2007 - running back Jo Jo Cox and defensive linemen Delvin Johnson, Brandon Bullock and Vinny Curry. So there are simply fewer true freshmen to break in.

For Shakoor, Youboty and the running backs, they face a depth chart Snyder hasn't enjoyed since he arrived at Marshall.

Shakoor has to contend with five other cornerbacks, not including the injured Zearrick Matthews. Youboty often plays opposite Curry, and they have toiled behind Albert McClellan, John Jacobs, Michael Janac and DeMetrius Thompson at this point. Ian Hoskins, who has been moved to tackle, could conceivably be bounced back out if need be.

One has to wonder if this is the year where exactly one true freshman plays, a luxury for any Division I coach?

Not so fast, Snyder advises.

"There will be a couple of guys who are going to play," he said. "As we start working toward Illinois State, you guys are going to figure it out."

One guess? At least one of the young backs will at least prepare to play, and travel with the team. Shakoor and Youboty should be spared from the scout team, at the very least. But guessing on whether they lose their redshirt in a 12-game season is hazardous duty, especially after just a week of camp.

Whatever the case, there's a bright future ahead for the young players. One veteran defensive lineman spoke highly of the 6-foot-4, 237-pound Youboty.

"With his frame, when he gets into coach [Mike] Cochran's strength and conditioning program for a whole year, who knows how big he can get. Look at Albert [McClellan], he came in at 215, 220, something like that, and now look at him [at a listed 252, maybe more]."

One defensive lineman who played as a true freshman last year, Johnny Jones, turned in a big-time play from his tackle spot. The 6-5, 288-pound native of Clewiston, Fla., gobbled up a rushed pass and returned it for a touchdown. Mario Harvey applied the pressure from the weakside linebacker spot.

"He's getting better; he's still trying really hard," Jacobs said. "He's asking a lot more questions. You can tell he really, really wants to help this team. He definitely has big-play ability, which he showed today. He's a big kid, can move around really well."

The Herd went through its first two-practice day Monday with another day of splendid weather, surprising for August - and rather pleasant, compared to the oven-like conditions that dominated the 2007 camp. Most seven-day forecasts call for a high all week at 85 degrees.

At this early stage of preseason camp, only one such newcomer has the inside road to a starting spot, punter Kase Whitehead. He still must prove himself in the pressure of the Thundering Herd's kick scrimmage, but he is showing a solid leg so far.

Others are getting a good look, but are pretty much third-teamers at this point. That includes cornerback Ahmed Shakoor, defensive end John Youboty and the young running backs, led by Martin Ward and maybe Jordan Taylor.

The promise is there, but it just so happens this class of newcomers includes an unusually high number of junior-college players, eight. And then there are the four nonqualifiers from 2007 - running back Jo Jo Cox and defensive linemen Delvin Johnson, Brandon Bullock and Vinny Curry. So there are simply fewer true freshmen to break in.

For Shakoor, Youboty and the running backs, they face a depth chart Snyder hasn't enjoyed since he arrived at Marshall.

Shakoor has to contend with five other cornerbacks, not including the injured Zearrick Matthews. Youboty often plays opposite Curry, and they have toiled behind Albert McClellan, John Jacobs, Michael Janac and DeMetrius Thompson at this point. Ian Hoskins, who has been moved to tackle, could conceivably be bounced back out if need be.

One has to wonder if this is the year where exactly one true freshman plays, a luxury for any Division I coach?

Not so fast, Snyder advises.

"There will be a couple of guys who are going to play," he said. "As we start working toward Illinois State, you guys are going to figure it out."

One guess? At least one of the young backs will at least prepare to play, and travel with the team. Shakoor and Youboty should be spared from the scout team, at the very least. But guessing on whether they lose their redshirt in a 12-game season is hazardous duty, especially after just a week of camp.

Whatever the case, there's a bright future ahead for the young players. One veteran defensive lineman spoke highly of the 6-foot-4, 237-pound Youboty.

"With his frame, when he gets into coach [Mike] Cochran's strength and conditioning program for a whole year, who knows how big he can get. Look at Albert [McClellan], he came in at 215, 220, something like that, and now look at him [at a listed 252, maybe more]."

One defensive lineman who played as a true freshman last year, Johnny Jones, turned in a big-time play from his tackle spot. The 6-5, 288-pound native of Clewiston, Fla., gobbled up a rushed pass and returned it for a touchdown. Mario Harvey applied the pressure from the weakside linebacker spot.

"He's getting better; he's still trying really hard," Jacobs said. "He's asking a lot more questions. You can tell he really, really wants to help this team. He definitely has big-play ability, which he showed today. He's a big kid, can move around really well."

The Herd went through its first two-practice day Monday with another day of splendid weather, surprising for August - and rather pleasant, compared to the oven-like conditions that dominated the 2007 camp. Most seven-day forecasts call for a high all week at 85 degrees.

The morning workout came in full pads with full contact, albeit with quick whistles. The afternoon practice was in "shells," shoulder pads and shorts. Snyder is delivering on his promise to scale back on contact.

"More and more young people are having problems across the country that we didn't use to see," Snyder said. "I can't hardly remember a young man passing away when I was a kid or a young coach, and now it's happening a little more extensively, and I'm sure those are the reasons we've scaled back a little bit. You have all kinds of new technology out there, with supplements and that nature, but we haven't been doing it long enough to have any research on if it's having an effect.

"Again, I'm not the NCAA, but I remember when I first got into coaching, we had three-a-days. We went three-a-days, every day."

And the injury news was pretty good Monday. Freshman receiver Cory McCutcheon was back at full tilt, and tight end Maurice Graham was doing some running after shedding the sling on his arm. Center John Bruhin still had his foot in a boot, but has ditched the crutches.

Linebacker Phillip Gamble missed the morning workout, but returned in the afternoon.

Running back Demetrius Thomas sat out the morning, as did a few continuing injury cases - including Matthews and receivers Chuck Walker and Antavious Wilson.

Quarterback Wesley Beardain missed another day, tending to personal issues. Snyder again said the junior from Winona, Miss., will return.

Briefly

Don't expect the Herd's scrimmage Saturday to be that long. It begins at 10 a.m.

Reach Doug Smock at 348-5130 or dougsm...@wvgazette.com.