Marshall Recruit Profile: Shawn Rouse

There is an old song that says home is where the heart is. And for Offensive Lineman prospect Shawn Rouse, the lyric will embody the College Football journey he shall soon embark on.

The homegrown talent from Ona committed to Marshall University back in June of 2022, prior to his senior season at Cabell Midland High School. Choosing to remain close to home instead of taking offers from James Madison, Eastern Kentucky, and Murray State.

     Although the Knights would fall to the Bridgeport Indians in the first round of the Class AAA postseason, Rouse’s contributions to the OL were what helped propel a struggling Knights offense early in the season. His stellar senior season did not go unrewarded either as he was selected to the First Team All-MSAC and First Team All-State.

Standing at 6’5” and weighing 260 lbs, Rouse possesses the makings of a great offensive lineman for the Thundering Herd. However, his physical attributes hardly tell a story about how athletic he is.

For the 40-yard dash, Rouse was able to record a time of 4.97 seconds, the average time recorded by an OL is typically in the 5.30 range. Reportedly, he could also bench press 315 lbs which is 55 lbs more than his current weight. Rouse also recorded a vertical jump of 29 inches, which is the average for most players currently in the NFL.

Rouse already has the physicality and athleticism to play at such a demanding position. However, it is not a question of “if” this homegrown offensive lineman can show what he is capable of for the kelly green and white. It is only a matter of “when”.

Marshall Recruit Profile: Chinazo Obobi

 Yao Ming, Alexander Ovechkin, Tamba Hali, Steve Jeltz - these are but a handful of examples of foreign players coming into the United States and making a mark in the sports that originated from North America. Although the players previously mentioned built their legacies on the professional level, they are examples as to what makes the concept of the American Dream so alluring. The same could possibly be said about one of the new recruits that Marshall University was able to land.

Chinazo Obobi, better known as “CK”, is the latest addition to the Marshall football family after transferring from Laney College. Unlike the rest of the recruits and transfers that took the opportunity to come to Marshall, Obobi was born in The Big Smoke of the United Kingdom, London. Although Obobi is not from these lands, the accomplishments he has racked up thus far in his career is what makes him an interesting player to look out for in Marshall’s roster.

After selling everything he owned to come to the US to attend Laney College, Obobi became the Offensive Freshman of the Year with the Eagles for not allowing a sack for 8 games in an 11 game regular season. He made Brad Hoiseth’s JuCo Offensive Tackle List. And, with his three-star ranking as a prospect, he is regarded as the #1 OL from Europe.

Despite all the hardship he has faced while growing up in the rough part of London, and from selling everything he owned to come play JuCo here in the US. Obobi is a case that one should look at when it comes to taking risks in order to achieve a goal in one’s life. He has risked it all to come here in order to achieve his dream of making it to the NFL, and his story is one that many Marshall fans would like to see come to fruition. 

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 Testing. Testing. 1 2 3, we have lift off for a new blog.