Former Capital High stars make impression on Herd defensive line
By Jacob Messer
Daily Mail sports writer
HUNTINGTON -- As Marshall continues preseason football practice this week, James Burkes is trying to maintain his position as a first-string defensive lineman.
DeMetrius Thompson, on the other hand, is following Burkes' lead and trying to get where he is.
Marshall defensive end Demetrius Thompson, a 2007 graduate of Capital High, is pushing for playing time in the Thundering Herd lineup.
Just like he always has.
Burkes, a 6-foot-1, 303-pound junior defensive tackle, and Thompson, a 6-2, 221-pound redshirt freshman defensive end, are Capital High products separated by two years. Burkes graduated in 2005, Thompson in 2007.
Both earned Class AAA All-State and All-Mountain State Athletic Conference honors during their time with the Cougars.
"He was a senior when I was a sophomore," Thompson said. "Even back in high school, when we played together, I always looked up to him.
"He has always been a big inspiration. I look at him and think, 'If he can work hard and put forth the effort and get where he has gotten, I can do the same thing as long as I put forth the effort and give it all I got.'"
Burkes and Thompson came to Marshall as invited walk-ons. Thompson still doesn't have a scholarship, but Burkes earned one this year after he played so well last year.
Truth be told, no one expected Burkes to play as much as he did last season. But injury after injury reduced Marshall's defensive line depth to the point where Marshall Coach Mark Snyder had no choice but to put Burkes on the field.
Burkes didn't disappoint his coaches or teammates. Appearing in nine games and starting eight, he had 22 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. He made a career-high eight stops in a 33-24 loss to Southern Mississippi on Oct. 21.
"I'm just trying to improve on last season, trying to get better and help the team the best I can," said Burkes, a former North-South All-Star selection who won the Hunt Award as the state's best high school lineman in 2004. "I'm just trying to fit in and do what they want me to do this season. It's a real big opportunity for me to earn a starting job."
Thompson, who recorded nine tackles, forced two fumbles and recovered one fumble in Marshall's sub-varsity game against Harmony Prep last year, appears to be well on his way to following in Burkes' footsteps.
Thompson impressed Snyder with his play during spring practice.
"He's going to hang around here long enough to help this football team," Snyder said of Thompson after last spring's Green-White Game.
Thompson couldn't believe his eyes when he read Snyder's quotation in the newspaper. That encouraging comment showed him he is doing exactly what he wants to do: Make a name for himself, a name that always is on the tip of the coaches' tongues or in the back of their minds.
"You want to do certain things -- well, all things you can possibly do -- to keep yourself on the mind of your coaches," said Thompson, who received some second-string snaps Saturday as a result of junior starter Albert McClellan sitting out and sophomore backup Michael Janac moving up.
"You want them to think, 'DeMetrius knows all of the plays or works hard in the weight room or gives all his effort on the field.' You want to do everything you can so you stick out in their mind when they are deciding who to travel, who to play, who to put on the depth chart or even who to give a scholarship to in the future."
Thompson said Burkes has been a mentor to him since he arrived on campus last year.
"He was there for me whenever I needed him," Thompson said of Burkes. "He let me know how tough the road was going to be and what to expect, which he probably didn't have when he came on the team because of not knowing anybody. I ask him for a lot of advice and try to study with him. He helps me with a few pointers and tells me how to get ahead."
When the Thundering Herd takes the field in the fall, Thompson's eyes will be focused on Burkes as he looks for ways to emulate his mentor and improve his skills.
"I look forward to watching him in the fall," Thompson said. "I have always watched him and followed him. I have known him since elementary school, but we never really played together until high school.
"He has always been a big inspiration to me, like a hometown hero. I tried to be All-State and all-conference like him, and I got there. Now, I'm trying to do the same thing at Marshall."
Contact sports writer Jacob Messer at jacobmes...@dailymail.com or 304-348-1712. His blog is at blogs.dailymail.com/marshall.
HUNTINGTON -- As Marshall continues preseason football practice this week, James Burkes is trying to maintain his position as a first-string defensive lineman.
DeMetrius Thompson, on the other hand, is following Burkes' lead and trying to get where he is.
Just like he always has.
Burkes, a 6-foot-1, 303-pound junior defensive tackle, and Thompson, a 6-2, 221-pound redshirt freshman defensive end, are Capital High products separated by two years. Burkes graduated in 2005, Thompson in 2007.
Both earned Class AAA All-State and All-Mountain State Athletic Conference honors during their time with the Cougars.
"He was a senior when I was a sophomore," Thompson said. "Even back in high school, when we played together, I always looked up to him.
"He has always been a big inspiration. I look at him and think, 'If he can work hard and put forth the effort and get where he has gotten, I can do the same thing as long as I put forth the effort and give it all I got.'"
Burkes and Thompson came to Marshall as invited walk-ons. Thompson still doesn't have a scholarship, but Burkes earned one this year after he played so well last year.
Truth be told, no one expected Burkes to play as much as he did last season. But injury after injury reduced Marshall's defensive line depth to the point where Marshall Coach Mark Snyder had no choice but to put Burkes on the field.
Burkes didn't disappoint his coaches or teammates. Appearing in nine games and starting eight, he had 22 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. He made a career-high eight stops in a 33-24 loss to Southern Mississippi on Oct. 21.
"I'm just trying to improve on last season, trying to get better and help the team the best I can," said Burkes, a former North-South All-Star selection who won the Hunt Award as the state's best high school lineman in 2004. "I'm just trying to fit in and do what they want me to do this season. It's a real big opportunity for me to earn a starting job."
Thompson, who recorded nine tackles, forced two fumbles and recovered one fumble in Marshall's sub-varsity game against Harmony Prep last year, appears to be well on his way to following in Burkes' footsteps.
Thompson impressed Snyder with his play during spring practice.
"He's going to hang around here long enough to help this football team," Snyder said of Thompson after last spring's Green-White Game.
Thompson couldn't believe his eyes when he read Snyder's quotation in the newspaper. That encouraging comment showed him he is doing exactly what he wants to do: Make a name for himself, a name that always is on the tip of the coaches' tongues or in the back of their minds.
"You want to do certain things -- well, all things you can possibly do -- to keep yourself on the mind of your coaches," said Thompson, who received some second-string snaps Saturday as a result of junior starter Albert McClellan sitting out and sophomore backup Michael Janac moving up.
"You want them to think, 'DeMetrius knows all of the plays or works hard in the weight room or gives all his effort on the field.' You want to do everything you can so you stick out in their mind when they are deciding who to travel, who to play, who to put on the depth chart or even who to give a scholarship to in the future."
Thompson said Burkes has been a mentor to him since he arrived on campus last year.
"He was there for me whenever I needed him," Thompson said of Burkes. "He let me know how tough the road was going to be and what to expect, which he probably didn't have when he came on the team because of not knowing anybody. I ask him for a lot of advice and try to study with him. He helps me with a few pointers and tells me how to get ahead."
When the Thundering Herd takes the field in the fall, Thompson's eyes will be focused on Burkes as he looks for ways to emulate his mentor and improve his skills.
"I look forward to watching him in the fall," Thompson said. "I have always watched him and followed him. I have known him since elementary school, but we never really played together until high school.
"He has always been a big inspiration to me, like a hometown hero. I tried to be All-State and all-conference like him, and I got there. Now, I'm trying to do the same thing at Marshall."
Contact sports writer Jacob Messer at jacobmes...@dailymail.com or 304-348-1712. His blog is at blogs.dailymail.com/marshall.
