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The Youngstown State defense struggled badly in 2024, and their linebackers were a big part of the problem. The numbers don't lie - YSU ranked 107th out of 128 FCS teams against the run. Now, with veteran linebacker Devin Johnson graduating, the Penguins need new players to step up in the middle of their defense. While there are still plenty of questions about this unit heading into 2025, several young players show promise. After looking closely at who's returning next season, four players caught my attention as potential difference-makers who could help turn this group around.
Junior | 6-2, 215 | Wadsworth HS
Rated as a three-star prospect by 247 sports and Rivals, Marshall was ranked as the No. 67 LB and No. 21 player in Ohio according to 247 sports. A Two-time All-Suburban League Selection, he racked up 133 tackles, 16.0 TFL, and 7 sacks between his Junior and Senior seasons. Marshall committed to Iowa State in 2021 and remained with the Cyclones through the 2023 season, appearing in 10 games. After transferring to YSU for the 2024 campaign, he suffered an injury in fall camp. As second string WLB behind Senior Devin Johnson, he tallied 9 tackles, 1.5 TFL, and 1 sack.
Analysis: Marshall's potential is through the roof as he was a highly sought after player in HS and gained favor with recruiting networks such as 247 sports and Rivals. The production from HS is there and the film certainly backs up the numbers. Marshall has been dealing with the injury bug throughout his entire career. His production dipped significantly during his Senior season at Wadsworth HS due to him only competing in 5 games. At Iowa State, Marshall never was given a real opportunity to break out. Then he suffered an injury after transferring to YSU. It is possible that Marshall is not nearly the same player that he was in HS due to the significant injuries he's dealt with. Injuries can shatter your confidence and change how you view yourself as a player. It's also possible that he could become an even better player than he already was due to going through adversity and learning how to grow from it. He has the frame to take over the WLB position. He also has the discipline to make the proper reads on the field. The question is can he get back to who he was.
Junior | 6-3, 250 | New Castle HS, PA
Wells competed in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. Despite breaking his right hand prior to his Senior season, Wells rushed for 250 yards and totaled 489 receiving yards. He averaged 19.5 receiving yards per game and scored 9 touchdowns, while also passing for 100 yards. In basketball, Wells earned Class 5A All-State First-Team Honors after averaging 22.4 points per game and making 64 three-pointers. He finished his basketball career with 1,932 points, ranking eighth all-time among Lawrence County Boys basketball scoring leaders and second at New Castle. His most productive season with YSU came in 2024, where he racked up 23 tackles and forced 1 fumble.
Analysis: It's challenging to evaluate a player who hasn't played a lot of football at the position they're being asked to play. Mike Wells falls into this category and is still learning what it takes to be a solid linebacker. While I don't doubt that he's an incredible athlete, it's hard for me to fairly judge him right now as a LB in the MVFC. The kid hasn't played football at this level and hasn't taken a significant amount of snaps at LB at any level. I will say I do believe Wells got significantly better as the year progressed, but is he going to be able to take a huge leap next season and turn into a steady option at linebacker. Wells is a project player. One that isn't capable of making an instant impact but with some development has immense potential. That's not a knock on him, it's just reality with someone who hasn't seen notable playing time at LB since arriving at YSU. The coaching staff has constantly praised Wells and mentioned how great of a player he was going to turn into. Is 2025 his breakout campaign? YSU fans will have to wait and see. He certainly has the physical attributes to be an absolute force.
Redshirt Freshman | 6-4, 215 | Princeton HS
Rated as a three star prospect by 247 sports and Rivals, Farrell held offers from Indiana, Louisville, West Virginia, and several other FBS programs. A Division I honorable-mention All-Southwest District pick and second-team Cincinnati Enquirer All-Star selection, Farrell tallied 25 total tackles and 5.5 TFL during his Junior season. He played OLB, DB and took reps on the special teams unit.
Analysis: Farrell is one of the more exciting players on YSU's entire roster solely based off of his extensive frame and his insanely high potential. When at Princeton HS, numerous G5 and P4 programs contacted Farrell early in an attempt to steal him from YSU. Doug Phillips' connection to the Cincinnati recruiting footprint ultimately resulted in Farrell committing to YSU. Farrell is one of the hardest hitting players I can recall YSU recruiting out of HS in a long, drawn out period of time. I remember attending preseason camp in the fall and watching the conclusion of practice when it was the starting offense vs the starting defense, the second-string offense vs the second-string defense, and so on. The third-string units trotted onto the field and I saw this enormous kid wearing number 15. He started staring into the soul of one of YSU's running backs. I made a note to myself how large and physical he looked and tried to think of who he was. When I was pondering on who that could be, quarterback Brady Shannon snapped the ball and swung it on the outside to the running back. Boom! The entire sideline erupted and started rushing the field in chaos. One of the nastiest hits you will ever see. That was the day I was introduced to Mr. Solomon Farrell. If you watch his HS film too, you will see him rocking offenders in almost every highlight. Farrell is poised for a breakthrough in 2025. I know he is a young, inexperienced player, but this dude just plays at a different level. Also consider the fact that he's had a year to develop his craft and prepare for a shining moment. He could turn into a household name in the near future.
Redshirt Freshman | 6-1, 215 | Gateway HS, PA
Despite suffering a torn hamstring muscle prior to his senior season, Bose was a First-team all-conference selection as a Junior and two-time all-conference selection overall. A recipient of the William Wallace Watson Scholarship and the Angelo and Donna E. Pezzuolo Scholarship endowment, Bose plays MLB. He received offers from Toledo and UMass, and totaled 80 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, and a forced fumble as a Sophomore.
Analysis: Bose is poised to crack the LB rotation in 2025 following a crucial development season in 2024. Bose was a game wrecker at Gateway HS, especially during his Junior campaign. His discipline and heavy emphasis on the fundamentals guided him to success as the captain of the Gators' defense. Bose's ability to communicate with an entire defense what the opposing offense is doing, then execute and showcase his patience is a trait that some of the elite linebackers in the MVFC possess. If he works hard in the offseason and builds some more muscle mass, I think Bose could be in the LB mix all season long. The only concern for his potential is the injury he suffered his Senior season. Some players respond well to devastating injuries, others struggle to regain their previous form. It will be interesting to see how he has responded to this setback.
