THIBODAUX, La. – In his introductory press conference back in November, Nicholls State University football head coach
Tim Rebowe talked about the importance of recruiting Louisiana players. On Wednesday, Coach Rebowe revealed his first recruiting class as he announced the signing of 26 student-athletes, all coming from Louisiana high schools.
The class is highlighted by eight players who received all-state recognition.
Morell Bartholomew (Edgar, La./ West St. John), Mikey Corcoran (River Ridge, La./ John Curtis) and Ryan Hanley (Metairie, La./ Archbishop Rummel) earned first-team honors while
Darryl Adams (Pride, La./ Northeast), Peyton Bonvillain (Thibodaux, La./ Thibodaux), P.J. Burkhalter (Franklinton, La./ Franklinton), Joseph Keller (Plaquemine, La./ Plaquemine) and
Allen Pittman (Destrehan, La./ Destrehan) garnered honorable mention accolades.
Meanwhile, the rest of the class –
Julius Ashton (Ponchatoula La./ Ponchatoula), Hunter Austin (Geismar, La./ Dutchtown), Charles Brooks (Baton Rouge, La./ Woodlawn), Darius Charles (Thibodaux, La./ E.D. White), Kenny Dotson (Plaquemine, La./ Plaquemine), Brandon Fontenot (Baton Rouge, La./ Tara), Sam Gruenig (New Orleans, La./ Lusher), Jaylon Johnson (Baton Rouge, La./ McKinley), Jair Joseph (Napoleonville, La./ Assumption), Chris Major (White Castle, La./ White Castle), Ahmani Martin (Reserve, La./ East St. John), E.J. Oglesby (Baton Rouge, La./ University Lab), Adrian Richardson (New Orleans, La./ Holy Cross), Patrick Riley (Marrero, La./ Archbishop Shaw), Bryson Simmons (Marrero, La./ Archbishop Shaw), Jordan Talley (Clinton, La./ Silliman Academy), Ryan Williams (Baton Rouge, La./Woodlawn) and Al Wilson (Baton Rouge, La./ Tara) – either earned all-metro or all-district during their prep careers.
Nicholls added two transfers as well, signing
Jeff Hall (LaPlace, La./Colorado) and
Jarrell Rogers (Baton Rouge, La./ Louisiana-Lafayette).
Of the 26 high school signees, 12 are expected to play on the offensive side of the ball. The Colonels signed six offensive linemen, three receivers, two quarterbacks and one fullback. On defense, the Red and Gray added five defensive backs, five linemen and four linebackers.
Not only are all of the signees from Louisiana, but the majority are within 100 miles of Nicholls. Two players come from the Thibodaux, six are from New Orleans and six come from Baton Rouge.
2015 SigneesJarrell Rogers, WR, 5-10, 180, Baton Rouge, La., Episcopal/Louisiana-Lafayette Redshirted as a freshman at Louisiana-Lafayette… was a four-year all-district selection for head coach Travis Bourgeois at Episcopal High School ... helped the Knights to a 25-5 record in his final three seasons ... a four-year all-district performer in track and field for EHS, claiming the 2012 Louisiana indoor state title in the triple jump.
Jeff Hall, DB, 5-11, 175, LaPlace, La., St. Charles Catholic/Colorado Played all 12 games for Colorado on special teams and as a defensive back in his sophomore season, recording six tackles with one fumble recovery… was a four-year letterman at St. Charles, playing cornerback, wide receiver and running back… earned first-team All-State, All-River Parish, All-Metro and All-District honors as a senior… was a second-team All-District honoree as a junior, and was first-team All-Metro and All-District as a sophomore… in his four seasons under coach Frank Monica, St. Charles went 49-6 (15-0 as a senior, 13-2 as a junior, 12-2 as a sophomore, and 9-2 as a freshman), winning the state championship his senior season… played centerfield for St. Charles' baseball team, where as a junior he batted .453 and hit five home runs in earning first-team All-River Parish, All-Metro, and All-District honors, as well as being named honorable mention All-State…. earned first-team All-District honors in soccer and track as well… ran the 100- and 200-meter dashes for the track squad.
#68 Hunter Austin, OL, 6-4, 285, Geismar, La., Dutchtown Started at offensive tackle for the Griffins… was a two-time All-District 5-5A honoree, earning second-team as a senior… helped pave the way for two all-district running backs… named to Preseason All-Baton Rouge Area Team… played for head coach Benny Saia.
#36 Adrian Richardson, LB, 6-0, 205, New Orleans, Holy Cross Started at linebacker for the Tigers… garnered All-District 9-5A as a senior… finished with 114 tackles (81 solo) in his senior season… also had 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble… named to Clarion Herald's Elite Football Team… as a junior, finished with 100 tackles and two interceptions… MVP of the defense and captain of the team… played for head coach Eric Rebaudo.
#95 Jair Joseph, DL, 6-4, 290, Napoleonville, La., Assumption Anchored the defensive line for the Mustangs… received honorable mention All-District 7-4A as a senior, despite being injured after five games… recorded 38 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble in five games played in 2014… also earned honorable mention All-District as a junior… was a state qualifier in throwing discus in his junior year… played for head coach Anthony Paine.
#18 Bryson Simmons, WR, 6-1, 175, Marrero, La., Archbishop Shaw Was a three-year starter for the Eagles… caught 27 passes for 575 yards and seven touchdowns in his senior season… received all-district honors in the high jump… played for head coach Scott Bairnsfather.
#64 P.J. Burkhalter, OL, 6-3, 330, Franklinton, La., Franklinton Was a four-year letterwinner on the Demon offensive line… received honorable mention 4A All-State as a senior… helped lead the Demons to the quarterfinals in 2013 and to the semifinals in 2014… played for head coach Shane Smith.
#2 Darryl Adams, DB, 6-2, 180, Pride, La., Northeast HS Four-year starter on both offense and defense for the Vikings… received Class 2A All-State honorable mention as a junior… was an all-district wide receiver… also plays basketball… played for head coach David Masterson.
#18 Jordan Talley, DL, 6-3, 245, Clinton, La., Silliman Academy Started on the defensive line for the Wildcats… was a three-time first-team All-District honoree… played in 2014 MAIS All-Star Game and U.S. Army Bowl… in 2013, named Fab 15 underclassmen and best lineman… also plays baseball, earning first-team All-District three times… other baseball honors include 2013 Cy Young Award, Silver Slugger and MVP of district in pitching… played for head coach T.J. Davis.
#29 Joseph Keller, TE, 6-2, 210, Plaquemine, La., Plaquemine Played tight end and linebacker for the Green Devils… named Class 4A All-State honorable mention as a senior… earned first-team All-District 6-4A… had 33 catches for 541 yards and seven touchdowns in his senior season… helped lead team to first semifinal appearance since 1961… is a two-sport athlete, earning honorable mention all-state in baseball as a junior… played for head coach Paul Distefano.
#79 Julius Ashton, DL, 6-1, 265, Ponchatoula La., Ponchatoula Started at defensive tackle for the Green Wave… received All-District 6-5A as a senior… helped lead team to an undefeated regular season, earning a No. 2 seed in the playoffs… played for head coach Hank Tierney.
#44 Ahmani Martin, DB, 5-10, 185, Reserve, La., East St. John Was a four-year starter for the Wildcats' defense… also played various positions on offense… received first-team All-District 7-5A three times… garnered All-Parish Defensive MVP… had 14 career interceptions, returning four for touchdowns… garnered first-team All-District in baseball as an infielder in 2014… played for head coach Phillip Banko.
#78 Al Wilson, OL, 6-4, 285, Baton Rouge, La., Tara Played on the offensive and defensive lines for the Trojans… lettered three years in football, earning All-District five times – three on offense and two on defense… had 63 recorded pancake blocks in his senior year, allowing only two sacks… selected to U.S. Army Red Stick Bowl… also lettered two years in basketball… earned student academic award of the year twice for basketball… lettered one year in wrestling… elected student government president and was Peacebuilder of the Year as a senior… was Voice of Tara High, SLC Tutors Dean and voted most school spirit… was second in Mr. Tara voting… played for head coach Cooter Mansur.
#2 Charles Brooks, QB, 5-11, 180, Baton Rouge, La., Woodlawn Was a three-year starter for the Panthers… at quarterback, threw for 1,921 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 904 yards and eight scores as a senior… earned first-team All-District… named Sportsline Player of the Week after combining for 291 yards and four touchdowns in win over ranked Easton… played in the U.S. Army Red Stick Bowl… earned all-district honors as a junior… played for head coach Brett Beard.
#43 Patrick Riley, LB, 6-5, 205, Marrero, La., Archbishop Shaw Was a two-year starter on the defensive line for the Eagles… named all-district… led the team in sacks… member of the track team… father is Pat Riley, who was drafted by the Chicago Bears… played for head coach Scott Bairnsfather.
#2 Chris Major, DB, 6-1, 190, White Castle, La., White Castle Was a two-way player for the Bulldogs… received first-team defense All-District 8-1A as a senior… recorded 65 tackles, four tackles for loss, five interceptions, two sacks and 12 pass breakups in his senior season… also ran track, winning the 100-meter in district as a junior… played for head coach Lamar Thomas.
#55 Sam Gruenig, OL/TE, 6-4, 250, New Orleans, La., Lusher Lettered in football for the Lions… garnered first-team All-District 11-3A as an offensive lineman in his senior year… received second-team All-District in 2013… played for head coach Louis Landrum.
#3 Morell Bartholomew, WR, 6-4, 190, Edgard, La., West St. John Played receiver for the Rams… named Class 1A All-State, first-team All-Metro and first-team All-District as a senior… hauled in 54 receptions for 972 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2014… also plays basketball… played for head coach Robert Valdez.
#72 Brandon Fontenot, DL, 6-4, 295, Baton Rouge, Tara Started on the offensive and defensive lines for the Trojans… earned four letters in football… garnered all-district twice on offense and twice on defense… played in the U.S. Army Red Stick Bowl… also competed on the track and field team, lettering three years… was a two-time regional qualifier in shot put… was a Tara High SLC Tutor and member of the Honors College… played for head coach Cooter Mansur.
#4 Allen Pittman, LB, 5-11, 195, Destrehan, La., Destrehan Helped anchor the Wildcats' defense… named Defensive MVP for District 7-5A and first-team defense as a senior… received honorable mention Class 5A All-State… had 53 solo tackles, 21 assists and eight sacks in 2014… also had nine tackles for loss… helped lead his team to a 14-1 season in 2014, including an appearance in the state championship game… played for head coach Stephen Robicheaux.
#74 E.J. Oglesby, OL, 6-4, 275, Baton Rouge, La., University Lab Started at tackle for the Cubs… was a two-time All-District 7-3A selection… named to the NOLA.com/Times Picayune All-Baton Rouge Area Small Schools Team… played in the LHSCA East-West All-Star Game… helped lead University to state championship in 2014… team won three straight undefeated district titles… played for head coach Chad Mahaffey.
#12 Peyton Bonvillain, QB, 5-11, 185, Thibodaux, La., Thibodaux Started at quarterback for the Tigers… as a senior, threw for 1,047 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed for 947 yards and 14 touchdowns… received honorable mention Class 5A All-State… was first-team All-District and Offensive MVP of the District 7-5A… also received first-team All-Region… played in the LHSCS East West All-Star game… also plays baseball… played for head coach Chris Dugas.
#53 Kenny Dotson, DL, 6-3, 230, Plaquemine, La., Plaquemine Played center and defensive end for the Green Devils… earned second-team All-District in his junior and senior seasons… helped lead team to first semifinal appearance since 1961 as they finished with a 12-2 record… named to NOLA.com/Times Picayune All-Baton Rouge Area Football Team… his position coach at Plaquemine, Doug King, played at Nicholls in the early 2000s… played for head coach Paul Distefano.
#9 Ryan Williams, DB, 6-0, 165, Baton Rouge, La., Woodlawn Played football for the Panthers… earned first-team All-District 5-5A honors as a returner… had 69 tackles, three interceptions including one returned for a touchdown, five pass breakups… had 10 kick returns for 320 yards and one touchdown… named second-team all-district defense… played for head coach Brett Beard.
#45 Darius Charles, FB, 5-10, 230, Thibodaux, La., ED White Played fullback for the Cardinals… earned All-District three times, garnering first-team as a junior… also earned All-Region in 2013… was team captain his last two seasons… was a Brothers of The Sacred Heart Award winner in 2014… as a junior, won the Jaime Robichaux Award, which is awarded for hard work and dedication in football on and off the field… played for head coach Chris Bergeron.
#62 Ryan Hanley, OL, 6-2, 265, Metairie, La., Archbishop Rummel Was a three-year starter at guard for the Raiders… named Class 5A All-State in his junior and senior seasons… as a senior, team rushed for over 217.6 yards per game, averaging 5.7 yards per carry… also garnered All-Metro and All-District twice… helped Rummel to state titles in 2012 and 2013… named to Clarion Herald's Elite Football Team… competes in wrestling at the heavyweight division… played for head coach Nicholls alum Jay Roth.
#10 Jaylon Johnson, DB, 6-2, 175, Baton Rouge, La., McKinley Played on both sides of the ball for Panthers … garnered second-team All-District 5-5A as a senior after recording 51 tackles, three interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, 14 pass breakups and two punt returns for scores… on offense, had 25 receptions for 485 yards and seven touchdowns… rushed the ball six times for 82 yards and a touchdown… played in the U.S. Army Redstick Bowl… also ran track… played for head coach Robert Signater.
#20 Mikey Corcoran, LB, 6-0, 215, River Ridge, La., John Curtis Was a three-year starter at linebacker for the two-time state champion Patriots… team won a national title in 2012… was a Class 3A All-State honoree as a senior after recording 17 tackles for loss, nine sacks and an interception return for a touchdown… also earned NOLA/Times-Picayune Small Schools All-Metro and All-District 11-3A… had 56 tackles as a senior… team compiled a 34-4 record over his three years… member of the National Honors Society… received Exxon Mobile Scholar Athlete… played for head coach J.T. Curtis.
