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The Leading Rusher of the Marshall Thundering Herd Reveals His Plans for 2024.

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics
By Jackson Loschko | Last updated 1/5/24

The Marshall Thundering Herd finished the season last in the Sun Belt East conference with a 3-5 record in conference games and a 6-7 record overall.

Their offense finished 93rd in rushing yards per game with 132.3, 85th in total yards per game with 358.5, and 104th in points per game with 22.8.

Their leading rusher revealed his plans for the 2024 season.

The leading rusher of the Marshall Thundering Herd declared for the draft.

Redshirt junior running back Rasheen Ali declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. Here’s what went down in his four seasons with the team.

His true freshman season.

Rasheen Ali committed to Marshall as a two-star recruit for the 2020 season. Ali appeared in six games during his true freshman season. He had 22 rushing yards on five carries. He also had four kick returns for 76 yards.

Ali ended up redshirting in his first season.

His redshirt freshman season.

Ali broke out in his redshirt freshman season. He had 1,401 yards on 250 carries and 23 rushing touchdowns, 45 receptions for 334 yards, and one receiving touchdown. He also had one kick return for a 97-yard touchdown.

Ali was named Team MVP and First Team All-Conference USA. Ali was also a FWAA Freshman All-American.

His redshirt sophomore season.

Ali sat out for the first ten games of his redshirt sophomore season due to an injury and personal reasons. Here’s what their head coach said about his situation:

“Rasheen will be away from the team for some time, and as soon as he is mentally, physically and emotionally ready to return, he will be back,” Huff said in a statement. “Our team and staff are doing a great job of supporting him, and we are looking forward to getting him back soon.”

Ali came back and played their last three games. He had 273 yards on 43 carries and one rushing touchdown. He also had two receptions for 10 yards and one receiving touchdown.

He was named the MVP of the Myrtle Beach Bowl where he had 92 yards on 15 carries and one touchdown.

His redshirt junior season.

Ali had a great redshirt junior season. He had 1,135 yards on 212 carries and 15 rushing touchdowns. He also had 28 receptions for 213 yards and one receiving touchdown.

What is his 2024 draft projection?

Rasheen Ali is projected to be an undrafted free agent and is the 22nd-best running back according to NFL Draft Buzz. Here are the weaknesses that NFL Draft Buzz pointed out:

“Ali really isn’t a guy who will create a lot of separation.

He tends to get too upright at times, sacrificing power.

Ali doesn’t have the ability as a run blocker or the violent run-after-catch ability.”

Could Rasheen Ali turn heads at the combine and be the steal of the draft?

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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