HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Florida continues to serve as a pipeline for Marshall University football.
For the second consecutive year, 12 high school student-athletes from the Sunshine State declared their intentions to attend Marshall and play for coach Doc Holliday.
The 2012 class, which has been rated as one of the top three classes in Conference USA, features a total of 30 individuals, including 15 that are already enrolled.
"Our coaching staff and support personnel deserve a lot of credit for the work that they put in to make this happen," Holliday said. "This is another outstanding recruiting class and I look forward to welcoming these young men into the Marshall football program."
Perhaps the most prized recruit for Holliday and his staff was four-star athlete Amos "A.J." Leggett from South Miami (Fla.) High School. Rated by Rivals.com as the ninth best cornerback in the nation, Leggett originally made a verbal commitment to the University of Miami before re-considering his options. BCS Championship finalists Alabama and LSU also made offers to the 6-foot, 175-pounder.
During his senior year, the All-American intercepted four passes while accumulating 1,600 all-purpose yards and scoring 15 touchdowns. Leggett attended four different high schools between his sophomore and senior year.
Looking to someday possibly join Leggett in the Marshall defensive backfield is safety Andre Scott (Orlando, Fla.), who displayed his versatility with seven interceptions and seven sacks in his career at Oak Ridge High School while throwing for nearly 3,000 yards, rushing for 1,600 and accumulating 850 yards receiving in addition to 28 touchdowns.
Another recruit highly sought after was linebacker Kent Turene (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.). The list of more than 50 potential suitors featured Ohio State, West Virginia University and LSU.
Rounding out the list of recruits from Florida were running backs Steward Butler (Lakeland HS) and Kevin Grooms (South Broward HS), quarterback Gunnar Holcombe (University HS), offensive linemen Cameron Dees (Armwood HS) and Josh Murriel (Port St. Lucie HS), defensive lineman Marcus Gilchrist (Port Charlotte HS), linebacker Deyonte Henderson (Oak Ridge HS), cornerback Deonte West (Hialeah HS) and defensive back Corey Tindal (Boyd Anderson HS).
Marshall also nabbed two recruits from West Virginia. As a member of Cabell Midland, first-team, all-stater linebacker Ryan Riedel led the Mountain State in tackles as a senior and finished his career with 47 tackles for loss and 15 sacks.
Woodrow Wilson offensive lineman Clint VanHorn will also join the Herd after the 6-5, 305-pounder received first-team, all-state recognition as a senior.
Marshall went heavy into recruiting offensive linemen with seven overall. The list includes Eric Ansley (Riverdale, Ga.), Tyler Combs (Louisa, Ky.), Gage Niemeyer (San Jacinto, Calif.) and Billy Rone (Glendale, Ariz.).
Marshall recently completed the 2011 campaign with a 7-6 record after defeating FIU, 20-10, in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl at Tropicana Field last December.
The Thundering Herd won a program-record five Conference USA games and finished second in the league's East Division despite playing the 12th toughest schedule in the nation according to GBE College Football Ratings.
