Feb. 6, 2008

THIBODAUX, La. - Once all the National Letters of Intent were signed and sent in on Wednesday, head coach Jay Thomas was pleased to announce the 2008 signing class which consisted of 29 outstanding athletes.

Of the 29 signees, 11 are from Louisiana, six are from both Mississippi and Texas, while Tennessee, Florida, California, Colorado, Georgia and Alabama each had one on Nicholls signing day list.

"We are very excited about our class this year. We feel like we have filled a lot of our needs, and feel like it is a very balanced class," said Thomas about his signing class.

Of the 11 signees from Louisiana, Scotlandville High standout Laquintin Caston headlines the talented list. Caston was an All-District player and passed for over 1,200 yards and rushed for over 600 yards in his lone season at quarterback. Local products Hosea Chatman and Kerry Guidry also decided to continue their athletic and academic careers at Nicholls. Chatman, who graduated from Ellender a semester early, is already enrolled at Nicholls and will participate in spring drills with the team. Guidry, who was an All-District and All-Bayou Region player at H.L. Bourgeois, comes to Nicholls after having a stellar senior season that saw him record 79 total tackles, two interceptions, and a safety in 2007.

Headlining the Mississippi crop in this year's signing class is Bobby Felder out of McComb High in McComb, Miss. Felder was rated as a Top-25 player in the state of Mississippi by various publications, and recorded 12 interceptions in both his junior and senior seasons. The McComb, Miss. native also ran the ball for the Tigers and rushed for over 1,000 yards, accumulated 675 receiving yards, and accounted for 21 total touchdowns.

Coming to Nicholls by way of Texas includes the duo of Isaac Crawford and Michael Holman from Livingston High in Livingston, Tex. Crawford led the Lions in tackles with 176 total while Holman started every game on the offensive line. Under their leadership, the Lions finished with a school best 10-3 record and went to the state playoffs. Also signing with Nicholls from Texas includes Alonzo Highsmith who played linebacker for Elkins High. Highsmith had a linebacker core best 94 total tackles in his senior season.

Joining the Colonels mid-year are Jeremy Evans, Demetrius `Trey' Hopson, and Albert Williams from Mississippi Gulf Coast CC in Perkinston, Miss., Josh Green from Modesto JC in Modesto, Calif., and Marlin Meeks from Coahoma CC in Clarksdale, Miss.

The 2008 signing class is in alphabetical order along with a pdf copy.

Complete Release in PDF Format

Player Pos. Ht/Wt. Hometown/Previous school

Berry, Leon DB 6-0/185 Griffin, Ga/East Mississippi JC

Caston, Laquintin QB 5-10/180Baton Rouge, La/Scotlandville HS

Chatman, Hosea QB 6-2/215 Houma, La/Ellender HS

Crawford, Isaac LB 6-1/215 Livingston, Tex/Livingston HS

Crawford, Marshall DL 6-3/240 Bellville, Tex/Bellville HS

Daniels, Justin OL 6-4/300 Mobile, Ala/Murphy HS

Evans, Jeremy LB 6-0/230 Gautier, Miss/Gulf Coast CC*

Felder, Bobby DB 5-11/195 McComb, Miss/McComb HS

Fisher, Colt FB 6-0/225 Sulphur, La/Sulphur HS

Guidry, Kerry DB 6-0/210 Houma, La/HL Bourgeois

Green, Josh OL 6-7/290 Modesto, Calif/Modesto JC*

Hicks, Tarbbaris DB 6-1/205 Monroe, La/Holmes CC

Highsmith, Alonzo LB 6-1/210 Missouri City, Tex/Elkins HS

Holman, Michael OL 6-5/290 Livingston, Tex/Livingston HS

Hopson, Trey FB 5-10/240 Pascagoula, Miss/Gulf Coast CC*

Johnston, Corey OL 6-5/270 Collierville, Tenn/Rossville Aca.

Martin, Gio RB 6-0/180 Caryville, Fla/Vernon HS

McDowell, Brandon OL 6-5/280 McComb, Miss/McComb

Meeks, Marlin RB 5-8/205 Charleston, Miss/Coahoma CC*

Nduku, Franklin DL 6-2/280 Houston, Tex/George Bush HS

Piper, Jordan LB 5-10/225 Ponchatoula,La/Ponchatoula HS

Salter, Kendrick RB 6-0/180 Orange, Tex/Little-Cypress HS

Thierry, Oliver DL 6-5/270 Opelousas, La/Opelousas HS

Thompson, Ted OL 6-3/220 Monument, Colo/Lewis-Palmer(Colo.)HS

Turner, Jesse RB 5-7/170 Houma, La/Ellender HS

Thornton, Wesley WR 6-1/200 Algiers, La/West Jefferson HS

Trosclair, Drey ATH 5-10/195 Thibodaux, La/ED White HS

Verret, Josh OL 6-2/275 Houma, La/HL Bourgeois HS

Williams, Albert RB 5-8/180 Jackson, Miss/Gulf Coast CC*

*- denotes mid-year transfer

Player Bios

Leon Berry, DB, 6-1/185, Griffin, Ga/East Mississippi JC

One of the top dual threat athletes in the Mississippi JC ranks... Recorded four interceptions and 25 tackles while also having 40 receptions for over 550 yards... Accounted for 10 total touchdowns his sophomore season... Was also a Top-50 prospect in the southeastern region in high school... In high school had two games that he scored five first half touchdowns in... Rushed for over 2,300 yards and had 39 total touchdowns.

Laquintin Caston, QB, 5-10/180, Baton Rouge, La/Scotlandville HS

Named All-District in 2007... Passed for over 1,200 yards his senior season while rushing over 600 yards... Had eight total touchdowns... Was a participant in the Red Stick Bowl.

Hosea Chatman, QB, 6-2/215, Houma, La/Ellender HS

Led the team to the playoffs his senior season under center... Was named All-District and Academic All-State in 2007... A four year-letter winner in football... Recorded over 1,400 passing yards his senior season and had 200 yards rushing... Had 21 total touchdowns with 17 of them coming through the air.

Marshall Crawford, DL, 6-3/240, Bellville, Tex/Bellville HS

Played both ways for Bellville and was named All-District at defensive end and offensive guard his senior season... In 2007, his team honored him with MVP honors for both offense and defense... On the defensive side, recorded 65 solo tackles which included 11 for a loss and seven quarterback sacks.

Isaac Crawford, LB, 6-1/215, Livingston, Tex/Livingston HS

Was named first team All-District his senior year after recording 117 solo tackles, and having 59 assisted... Also recorded five sacks, forced four fumbles, and recovered six in 2007... Led his team to a school best 10-3 finish... His father, Mike Crawford, played football at Stephen F. Austin.

Justin Daniels, OL, 6-4/300, Mobile, Ala/Murphy HS

Led the team in Pancake blocks with 42 his senior season... Was a honorable mention selection in his area... Won the IHOP Pancake Award for the city of Mobile.

Jeremy Evans, LB, 6-0/230, Gautier, Miss/Gulf Coast CC*

A two year starter for Miss Gulf Coast CC where he was a prominent member of the 2007 co-national championship squad... Recorded over 200 career tackles in two seasons while leading his team in 2007 with 106... Had four sacks... Voted all-region team and was a second team all-state selection.

Bobby Felder, DB, 5-11/195, McComb, Miss/McComb HS

Was a four year letter winner in football and basketball for the Tigers... Registered 76 tackles his senior season while intercepting 12 passes in both his junior and senior seasons... Also ran the ball for the Tigers accumulating 1,000 yards rushing, 675 yards receiving and 21 total touchdowns... Was rated a Top-25 football player in the state of Mississippi.

Colt Fisher, FB, 6-0/225, Sulphur, La/Sulphur HS

Named All-District his senior season and was voted All-State Academic... Had 115 carries in 2007 that resulted in 679 yards and five touchdowns... Also caught 18 passes and 177 yards for three touchdowns.

Kerry Guidry, DB, 6-0/210, Houma, La/HL Bourgeois

Voted All-District and All-Region in his junior and senior campaigns for the Braves... Recorded 59 solo tackles, 20 assisted, and six for a loss his senior season... Also had six pass break ups, two interceptions, a safety and a sack in 2007.

Josh Green, OL, 6-7/290, Modesto, Calif/Modesto JC

Started all 11 games in 2007 for Modesto JC... Had 33 pancake blocks his senior season... Was an All-State and All-League first team selection his sophomore season... Prepped at Beyer HS where the Patriots went 18-1 his senior season.

Tarbbarius Hicks, DB, 6-1/205, Monroe, La/Holmes CC

Was a two year starter at Holmes JC, and picked up All-Region honors his sophomore season... Finished his junior college career with over 100 tackles and five interceptions... Prepped at Yazoo County High and was rated in the Top-100 athletes in the state of Mississippi out of high school.

Alonzo Highsmith, LB, 6-1/210, Missouri City, Tex/Elkins HS

Made a total of 94 tackles his senior season in 2007 on his way to being named All-District... Selected to play in the Space City Classic All-Star Game... Was rated in the Top-100 players in the Houston Area... His father, Alonzo Highsmith, played at the University of Miami and in the NFL for seven seasons.

Michael Holman, OL, 6-5/290, Livingston, Tex/Livingston

Lettered three years for the Lions on the offensive line... Was a two year starter and was voted All-District first team his senior season... In his senior campaign in 2007, he helped lead the Lions to a school best 10-3 record as they reached the quarterfinals in the state playoffs.

Demetrius `Trey' Hopson, FB, 5-10/240, Pascagoula, Miss/Gulf Coast CC*

Rated as a Top-10 fullback amongst junior college players... Named an All-American as a fullback his sophomore season... Dubbed a Top-25 player in the state of Mississippi coming out of high school... The true option fullback rushed for 550 yards and six touchdowns in 2007.

Corey Johnston, OL, 6-5/270, Collierville, Tenn/Rossville Aca.

A two-year starter for the Rossville Christian Academy Rebels that saw them go to the state playoffs his junior season... Voted All-State on both offense and defense while also being named Defensive Lineman of the Year in TSSAA Division II... Had 74 tackles as a defensive lineman and did not allow a sack his senior campaign.

Gio Martin, RB, 6-0/180, Caryville, Fla/Vernon HS

Carried the ball 96 times for over 1,300 yards in 2007... Had 16 rushing touchdowns and eight receiving touchdowns... Caught 59 passes for over 1,000 yards his senior campaign... Voted All-Conference first team and All-State second team in 2007.

Brandon McDowell, OL, 6-5/280, McComb, Miss/McComb

Voted All-State first team his senior seasons... Did not allow a sack in 2007 and finished the year with a 93 percent grade... Rated as a Top-20 senior in the state of Mississippi... Had a total of 50 pancake blocks in 2007.

Marlin Meeks, RB, 5-8/205, Charleston, Miss/Coahoma CC*

Was selected to participate in the JUCO All-Star game and started at fullback... Had 472 yards on 136 carries and six touchdowns his sophomore season for the Tigers... Prepped at Charleston High where he rushed for back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons in his junior and senior campaigns... His grandfather, Craig Walker, played collegiate football at Alcorn State.

Franklin Nduku, DL, 6-2/280, Houston, Tex/George Bush HS

Named All-District first team in 2006 and 2007... Rated a Top-50 lineman in the Houston area... Voted the schools top offensive lineman in 2006 and 2007... Selected by his team mates as the 2007 team MVP.

Jordan Piper, LB, 5-10/220, New Orleans, La/Ponchatoula HS

Was dubbed with All-District first team honors in 2007 as he recorded 116 total tackles that included 14 for a loss... Had five forced fumbles and one interception... Played in the South Shore vs. North Shore All-Star game... Named to the All-State honorable mention squad... Played at Brother Martin before Hurricane Katrina.

Kendrick Salter, RB, 6-0/180, Orange, Tex/Little-Cypress HS

Named All-District first team as a running back as a senior... Dubbed with Team MVP honors by his team mates and coaches... Led the team with 1,236 rushing yards on 192 carries... Had nine rushing touchdowns... Was a team mate of current Colonel Kyle Hughes.

Oliver Thierry, DL, 6-5/270, Opelousas, La/Opelousas HS

A two-way starter throughout his high school career on the gridiron while also being a standout basketball player... Named All-District first team both his junior and senior season on offense and defense... Had a total of 37 tackles and five sacks on defense while not allowing a sack his senior campaign.

Ted Thompson, OL, 6-3/220, Metairie, La/Lewis-Palmer (Colo.) HS

Was a three-sport athlete in high school playing football, basketball, and track... Lettered in football two seasons while lettering in track three years... Participated in the shot put event and placed fourth in regionals in 2007... Was a multidimensional player for the Rangers on the gridiron as he played tight end, offensive line, and defensive line throughout his prep career.

Jesse Turner, RB, 5-7/170, Houma, La/Ellender HS

Played defensive back for two seasons before making the move to running back his junior and senior seasons... Named All-District and All-Region first team while also picking up All-State honorable mention honors in 2007... Had 399 career carries for 2,828 yards and 21 total touchdowns... Best season came in 2007 when he rushed for over 1,600 yards on 199 carries and 11 touchdowns.

Wesley Thornton, WR, 6-1/200, Algiers, La/West Jefferson HS

Played for head coach Hank Tierney at West Jefferson... Was a three-year starter and was a three-year letter winner in football... Recorded 23 receptions his senior campaign that resulted in 184 yards and five touchdowns... Was an All-District Academic selection in 2007.

Drey Trosclair, ATH, 5-10/195, Thibodaux, La/ED White HS

Was a two-year starter under center for the Cardinals where he led his team to the state playoffs both years... Named All-District and All-Region first team both junior and senior seasons... For his career as a Cardinal, he threw for over 1,800 yards for 15 touchdowns and rushed for 732 yards and eight scores... Joins former team mate Nolan Dumas at Nicholls.

Josh Verrett, OL, 6-2/275, Houma, La/HL Bourgeois HS

A two-year letter winner for the Braves who helped lead them to the 2007 District Championship... Voted All-District and All-Region second team... Participated in the Bayou vs. River Region All-Star game... Recorded 48 pancake blocks in 2007.

Albert Williams, RB, 5-8/180, Jackson, Miss/Gulf Coast CC*

Commonly known as one of the fastest running backs among Mississippi junior colleges... Led the team to a share of the JUCO national championship with 834 rushing yards and eight touchdowns... Also led all running backs on the team with 250 yards receiving... Was a standout prep athlete where he was a state champion in the 100m and 200m track events.

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