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In a message sent from his Twitter earlier today, it appears Marshall backup quarterback Michael Birdsong has said his goodbyes to Herdnation in lieu of transferring for his final year of eligibility.
I could never fit the amount of words I would use to describe my wonderful time here at Marshall in a tweet. So I'll make it short and sweet
— Michael Birdsong (@Birdsong_M) May 13, 2016
Some of the greatest fans, coaches and teammates I've ever had. I'll cherish every moment of it forever. Thank you for the opportunity #herd
— Michael Birdsong (@Birdsong_M) May 13, 2016
The announcement comes after the completion of Marshall's spring camp and annual Green/White game, all which Birdsong was a participant in. In what would have been his final year of eligibility, the redshirt senior appears headed elsewhere after graduating in May.
The James Madison University transfer spent two seasons in Huntington, one working as the scout team QB during his transfer season and the other as the starter after winning the job in last season's spring camp. Birdsong battled true freshman Chase Litton throughout camp but remained the starter leading into the matchup with Big Ten member Purdue at Joan C. Edwards. In his first start for the Herd, the 6-foot-5, 241-pound quarterback brought the Herd back from down 10 in the second half to the Boilermakers in a 41-31 season opening win. Birdsong orchestrated a fourth-quarter comeback, setting up a Devon Johnson 6-yard scamper that put the Herd in front for good. Birdsong finished 23-for-36, throwing for 234 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
The following week was far from a duplicate performance.
In the Herd's final visit to Athens for several years, Birdsong tossed for only 106 yards and two interceptions against the Ohio Bobcats in a 21-10 loss. After tossing 50-yard bombs with ease throughout camp, Birdsong struggled throwing a simple out-route from the middle of the field, often skipping the ball at the feet of the receiver. It was later learned Birdsong had suffered a shoulder injury and the ball was turned over to Litton for the remainder of the season.
Birdsong returned to the field for the first time since his injury in cleanup time versus Charlotte. The backup worked in a total of six games in 2015, including taking a handful of snaps throughout the St. Petersburg Bowl win over UCONN. Birdsong went 0-for-2 but rushed four times for 12 yards, often on short down yardage.
In his only season with the Herd, Birdsong threw for 365 yards and two touchdowns. He was picked off four times, three coming in the opening two games of the year.
With Birdsong's exit, the lone quarterback remaining on the roster is redshirt freshman Coy Petitt. While the news may come as a shock to some, a report previewing the Marshall quarterback's room warned of the possibility of a Birdsong transfer. View the report here: 2016 Marshall Quarterbacks Preview.