Rhett McGrew: A Hometown Star in the Making

Tony Gibson’s first recruiting class at Marshall features several standout names, and one of the most exciting prospects is Putnam County’s own, tight end Rhett McGrew. For those who follow high school football in West Virginia, McGrew is a familiar name. He’s been a key contributor to Hurricane High School’s recent success, showcasing his skills on a highly talented squad.

Marshall fans always take pride in their players, but there’s something extra special about watching a hometown kid live out his dream of playing for the Herd. Just as we’ve seen with Ethan and Toby Payne, McGrew already shares that deep connection with the fanbase—even before officially stepping on the field.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Rhett about his journey, his passion for the game, and his future at Marshall. Here’s what he had to say.

Q&A with Rhett McGrew

Q: Tell us about your upbringing. What was your home life like, and what led you to fall in love with football? Were there any teams or players you admired growing up?

Growing up, I always loved football. My older brother played, and my dad and I would always watch games together or go see them in person. That really made me love the game. My favorite teams are Marshall and the Cowboys, and my favorite player growing up was Rob Gronkowski. I admired how dominant he was as a blocker and how tough he was for defensive backs to cover.

Q: Many Marshall fans know you from your time at Hurricane High School. Can you share a little about your high school career? Any achievements or key people who helped you reach this point?

I know JacQai Long, since he’s already on the team. A lot of Marshall fans in Hurricane will know who I am when I take the field next year. I was first-team all-conference last season. My teammates and coaches played a big role in helping me get here, and my strength and conditioning coach, Lamar Martin, really pushed me in the weight room every day.

Q: Several schools showed interest in you during the recruiting process. What made Marshall the right choice for you?

A lot of teams recruited me, like Old Dominion, Western Michigan, and WVU, but I’ve always loved Marshall. With it being just 30 minutes from home, it was an easy decision. Having my friends and family close enough to watch me play made it the perfect fit.

Q: Marshall has recently seen great success with in-state players like Ethan and Toby Payne. This year’s class is bringing in even more West Virginia talent. How does it feel to represent your home state alongside other in-state players?

I’m extremely excited to play with other West Virginia guys because we all share the same culture and background. I’ve been competing against many of these players for years—whether in regular-season games or the playoffs—so I’ve scouted their games and played against them before. I also believe West Virginia is under-recruited, so it’s great to see in-state players getting the recognition and opportunities they deserve to play at the next level.

Q: Have you started looking into NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities yet? If not, how can Herd fans support you in that area?

I haven’t looked into any NIL deals yet, but I’m definitely open to opportunities as they come my way.

Q: How excited are you to reconnect with your former teammate, JacQai Long?

I think it’s going to be great to reunite with JacQai. We already have a strong connection, and I’ve caught thousands of passes from him. That chemistry should make my transition to Marshall a lot smoother, and having him there to help me improve my game will be a huge advantage.

Q: Lastly, what can Marshall fans do to support you and your teammates this season?

The best thing the fans can do is pack the Joan for every home game and create an electric atmosphere.

Final Thoughts

Rhett McGrew is an outstanding young man with a bright future ahead of him. As he finishes his high school career and prepares to take the next step at Marshall, there’s no doubt that he will become a key player for the Herd.

We wish him the best as he makes this transition, and we can’t wait to see him in Kelly Green on Saturdays!

Go Herd!

Headset out…