After nabbing a New Year's Eve commitment from wide receiver Aaron Dobson, Marshall isn't necessarily through tapping the talent pipeline from the state champion South Charleston team.

Coach John Messinger reports that Thundering Herd coaches are going strongly after one of his junior linemen, Blake Brooks.

But Brooks still has another year of high school remaining. Dobson has finished his prep career, and did so with a flourish. He not only caught 49 passes for 1,298 yards and 17 touchdowns to help the Black Eagles go undefeated, he leaped onto the Herd's recruiting radar in the process. 

Dobson said he was offered by Hofstra and Delaware, two Football Championship Subdivision schools. But the way Messinger sees it, this is no diamond-in-the-rough find for the Herd.

"It was about time they stepped up, to tell you the truth," Messinger said. "I can't understand why West Virginia didn't come into the picture harder."

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Dobson, who finished second in the Kennedy Award balloting, also intercepted seven passes and batted down 18 others at cornerback. He also drew interest on that side - for instance, Messinger said University of Charleston coach Tony DeMeo wanted him as a corner.

Marshall had been in contact with Dobson, but really came on strong during championship-game week. Messinger said offensive coordinator John Shannon paid a visit to South Charleston the Friday before the game, then attended the game at Wheeling. Dobson said the offer came the day after SC's 39-8 drubbing of George Washington.

That was about the time Dobson finally settled his football-vs.-basketball dilemma. He is an all-state performer and the Eagles' leading scorer on the hardwood, and had been offered in that sport by Northeastern, Lipscomb and Northern Illinois.

"After this football season, I thought I was a better player at football," Dobson said. "I had been going back and forth."

After nabbing a New Year's Eve commitment from wide receiver Aaron Dobson, Marshall isn't necessarily through tapping the talent pipeline from the state champion South Charleston team.

Coach John Messinger reports that Thundering Herd coaches are going strongly after one of his junior linemen, Blake Brooks.

But Brooks still has another year of high school remaining. Dobson has finished his prep career, and did so with a flourish. He not only caught 49 passes for 1,298 yards and 17 touchdowns to help the Black Eagles go undefeated, he leaped onto the Herd's recruiting radar in the process. 

Dobson said he was offered by Hofstra and Delaware, two Football Championship Subdivision schools. But the way Messinger sees it, this is no diamond-in-the-rough find for the Herd.

"It was about time they stepped up, to tell you the truth," Messinger said. "I can't understand why West Virginia didn't come into the picture harder."

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Dobson, who finished second in the Kennedy Award balloting, also intercepted seven passes and batted down 18 others at cornerback. He also drew interest on that side - for instance, Messinger said University of Charleston coach Tony DeMeo wanted him as a corner.

Marshall had been in contact with Dobson, but really came on strong during championship-game week. Messinger said offensive coordinator John Shannon paid a visit to South Charleston the Friday before the game, then attended the game at Wheeling. Dobson said the offer came the day after SC's 39-8 drubbing of George Washington.

That was about the time Dobson finally settled his football-vs.-basketball dilemma. He is an all-state performer and the Eagles' leading scorer on the hardwood, and had been offered in that sport by Northeastern, Lipscomb and Northern Illinois.

"After this football season, I thought I was a better player at football," Dobson said. "I had been going back and forth."

For Messinger, there was no doubt. "We've been trying to convince Aaron for two or three years he's a football player," Messinger said. "Here's a kid that can make a little impact right off the bat."

Dobson carries a 3.5 grade-point average and has made the needed test score to qualify as a freshman. And he fits one of Marshall's primary needs - after losing seniors Darius Passmore, Emmanuel Spann and E.J. Wynn, the Herd was down to five scholarship receivers.

The Herd has reloaded at that spot with at least one junior-college recruit, Wayne Bonner of East Mississippi Community College. Bonner has signed a letter of intent, while two other prep stars have committed to the Herd: Freddie Moore of Decatur, Ala., and Michael Rhynes of Charlotte, N.C.

Dobson said he made his decision earlier this week and informed Herd coaches Wednesday. Messinger said coach Mark Snyder and staff will like his work ethic and team-first attitude.

"Aaron likes the weight room," Messinger said. "He's a stout kid, a 250-, 260-pound bench presser."

Messinger has similar compliments about Brooks, a 6-3, 300-pound junior who played offensive guard, nose guard and even defensive end this past season. He celebrated his 17th birthday Wednesday, and already bench-presses 455 pounds.

With Marshall recruiting him strongly and West Virginia showing a lot of interest, he won't be classified as a "late find." Messinger said Brooks has prevailed in the trenches over such standouts as GW's Rodney Hudson and WVU-bound Cole Bowers of Cabell Midland.

"It's crazy how strong he is, as a junior," said Dobson, who vows to make his recruiting pitch.

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