Feb. 4, 2009

THIBODAUX, La. - Nicholls Head Coach Jay Thomas announced the signing of 22 student-athletes, 13 of which are from Louisiana, on National Signing Day at a press conference in Barker Hall on Wednesday afternoon.

Of the 22 signees, five are mid-year transfers that will participate in spring practice. They are Ben Baldridge (Opelousas, La./Hargrave Military Academy), Brandon Johnson (Columbia, Miss./Miss. Gulf Coast CC), Troy Matthews (New Orleans, La./Jesuit), Earvin Moore (Stone County, Miss./Miss. Gulf Coast CC), Donovan Tate (Hattiesburg, Miss./East Central CC).

"I am very pleased with this class of signees. We were really able to go out and get a lot of local guys that were standouts in the state, and are happy they decided to continue their careers with Nicholls," said Thomas.

"We are very fortunate to have these guys commit to us. I think it is a true testament to our staff in how hard they work, and all of the positive things happening on campus."

The Louisiana talent in the class is headlined by Belle Chasse quarterback Blake Matherne (Belle Chase, La./Belle Chase), who was dubbed `Mr. Louisiana' in football after leading his team to the 4A State Championship. Matherne rushed for 1,330 yards and 20 touchdowns on 179 attempts his senior season, while also completing 165-of-241 passes attempts for 2,675 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also dabbled on defense, having 14 tackles and seven interceptions his senior season, one of which he returned 100 yards for a touchdown.

Also standing out from Louisiana in the 2009 class are running backs Tyler Collins (Eunice, La./Eunice) and Jarrell Johnson (Kenner, La./Rummel). Collins rushed for over 1,000 yards as a junior, and followed that up with 1,495 yards on 232 carries and 14 total touchdowns his senior campaign. Johnson leaves Rummel as the school's all-time leading rusher with 4,636 yards on 678 attempts for a 6.8 yards per carry career average.

Other local signees from the state on offense include wide receiver Mike Barba (Houma, La./South Terrebonne) and offensive lineman Ben Baldridge (Opelousas, La./Hargrave Military). Barba was an All-State First Team selection his senior season as a receiver, and a Second Team pick as a punter. As a senior, he hauled in 34 passes for 646 yards and seven touchdowns. Baldridge, originally from Opelousas, La., prepped at Hargrave Military Academy, and was a two-time All-Conference selection as a tight end and defensive end.

Nicholls also stockpiled talent on the defensive side of the ball from Louisiana, signing eight players on that side of the ball. Headlining the class is safety Troy Godfrey (Eunice, La./Eunice), defensive end Brandon Nora (Destrehan, La./Destrehan), linebacker Paul Wallace (Jefferson, La./Riverdale) and defensive back Troy Matthews (New Orleans, La./Jesuit).

Godfrey was a three-year starter at Eunice, and compiled 88 total tackles and two interceptions his senior season that saw the Bobcats win their third consecutive District Championship. Nora helped lead Destrehan to back-to-back 5A State Championships, and played a major role in his team's combined 29-0 record through his junior and senior seasons. He finished his senior season with 63 total tackles, nine tackles for a loss and eight sacks.

Wallace was a two-year starter at Riverdale, being named All-District both campaigns. He had 91 total tackles (62 solo) his senior season to go along with four forced fumbles, four recovered fumbles and two touchdowns. Matthews graduated from Jesuit in 2008, but enrolled at Delgado while rehabbing an injury sustained his senior season.

Other defensive standouts from Louisiana include defensive tackle Brandon Spurlock (Slaughter, La./Clinton), Chad Alfaro (Mandeville, La./Mandeville), Darrell Brown (Covington, La./ Fontainebleau) and Gerald Gruenig (Covington, La./Fontainebleau).

Spurlock played on both sides of the line, and helped guide Clinton to four consecutive District Championships. He was named All-State as an offensive lineman. Alfaro comes to Nicholls after a senior season that saw him record 33 total tackles (20 solo) that include seven for a loss and one sack.

The Fontainebleau duo of Brown and Gruenig come to Nicholls after anchoring the Bulldogs' defensive line the past four years. Together the two combined for a total of 95 tackles, 26 tackles for a loss and 24 sacks this past season.

Junior College transfers that are not mid-year players include linebacker Ed James (Miami, Fla./Ventura CC), linebacker Davion Marshall (Humble, Texas/Blinn College) and defensive end Marquis Russell (Miami, Fla./Ventura CC).

Out of state high school signees include defensive end Rashar Knight (Macon, Ga./Central) and Edet Udoh (Houston, Texas/George Bush).

Player capsules are below:

Chad Alfaro, DT, 6-4, 290, Mandeville, La./Mandeville HS

At Mandeville: Helped the Skippers to the District 6-5A Championship his senior season... Finished District Runner-Up his junior season... Had 33 tackles (13 solo) his senior season to go along with seven tackles for a loss, two forced and recovered fumbles and a sack... Earned three varsity letters in football, and was named All-District his senior season... Also a four-year letter winner in basketball and a two-year letter winner in baseball.

Ben Baldridge, OL, 6-6, 275, Opelousas, La./Hargrave Military Academy

At Hargrave Military Academy: Played defensive line and tight end... Played in every game for two seasons, starting as a senior... Was an All-Conference player his junior and senior season... Prepped at Opelousas as a freshman and was an All-District selection.

Mike Barba, WR, 6-2, 180, Houma, La./South Terrebonne

At South Terrebonne: Was a two-year starter... Served as the Gators primary offensive threat at wide receiver, while also taking on punting duties... Holds the school's record for most touchdowns in a single season (15) which he set in 2007... Senior season was cut short due to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike... Finished his eight game senior season with 34 receptions, 640 yards and seven touchdowns... Named All-State First Team as a wide receiver and Second Team as a punter in 2008.

Darrell Brown, DT, 6-2, 270, Covington, La./Fontainebleau

At Fontainebleau: Finished his senior season with 46 total tackles (28 solo)... Of his tackles, 12 went for a loss and nine were sacks... Had 15 quarterback hurries... Was credited with six pass breakups and one fumble recovery... Named All-District his senior season... Comes to Nicholls with teammate Gerald Gruenig.

Tyler Collins, RB, 5-7, 185, Eunice, La./Eunice

At Eunice: Helped lead the Bobcats to three consecutive District 4-4A Championships... Led his team to back-to-back 11 win seasons... Was an All-State First Team selection his senior season, and twice named First Team All-District... Rushed for 1,495 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2008 on 232 carries... Had 3,403 career rushing yards and 34 total touchdowns... Comes to Nicholls with fellow teammate Troy Godfrey.

Troy Godfrey, DB, 6-3, 205, Eunice, La./Eunice

At Eunice: Was the defensive leader for the Bobcats... Helped guide the team to three consecutive District 4-4A Championships... Had back-to-back 11 win seasons... Was a two-time All-State, All-District, and All-Parish selection... Had 88 tackles, six pass breakups, one forced and recovered fumble, two interceptions and two blocked kicks as a senior... Finished with 114 tackles, 13 pass breakups, four forced and recovered fumbles and two interceptions.

Gerald Gruenig, DL, 6-2, 265, Covington, La./Fontainebleau

At Fontainebleau: Was a three-year starter for the Bulldogs... Helped guide the team to a District 7-5A Championship his senior season... Best season came as a senior with 49 tackles (26 solo) that included 15 sacks, 14 tackles for a loss, seven quarterback hurries, one recovered fumble... Named First Team All-District in 2007 and 2008... Comes to Nicholls with teammate Darrell Brown.

Ed James, LB, 6-1, 215, Miami, Fla./Ventura CC

At Ventura CC: Played two years... Notched 158 total tackles, 16 tackles for a loss and four sacks in his career... Also had four interceptions and three forced and fumble recoveries... Went to high school at national power house at Miami Northwestern High... Comes to Nicholls with teammate Marquis Russell.

Brandon Johnson, RB, 5-10, 190, Columbia, Miss./Miss. Gulf Coast CC*

At Miss. Gulf Coast CC: Led Miss. Gulf Coast CC to the Mississippi Junior College State Championship... Rushed for 745 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore... Also served as a kickoff return specialist... Longest return of 95 yards came against Georgia Military.

Jarrell Johnson, RB, 5-11, 195, Kenner, La./Archbishop Rummel

At Archbishop Rummel: Finished his career as the school's all-time leading rusher with 4,636 yards and 54 touchdowns on 678 career attempts... A three-time All-District selection and two-time All-State... Posted some of his best games in district play, rushing for over 200-plus yards in back-to-back seasons against rival Jesuit en route to victories... Doubled as a return man for the Raiders.

Rashar Knight, DE, 6-3, 225, Macon, Ga./Central

At Central: Named First Team All-City and All-Region for the Macon and Central Georgia area... Had 71 total tackles his senior season... Also was credited with 15.5 sacks and 25.5 tackles for a loss... Forced five fumbles and recovered another three... Finished 2008 with 10 pass breakups.

Davion Marshall, LB, 6-1, 230, Humble, Texas/Blinn CC

At Blinn CC: Was a part of a Conference Championship team his sophomore season... Went 9-3... Had 60 total tackles, eight for a loss, three sacks and two pass breakups... Prepped at Nimite High... Recorded 195 total tackles as a senior... Was an All-District selection as a senior.

Blake Matherne, QB, 5-10, 185, Belle Chase, La./Belle Chase

At Belle Chase: Led the Cardinals to the 4A State Championship as a senior under center... Voted State Championship game MVP... Named `Mr. Louisiana' in football this past season... Dubbed with District 8-4A MVP honors, while also being named to the First Team... An All-State First Team selection at quarterback... Rushed for over 1,300 yards in 2008 and 20 touchdowns, while passing for 2,675 and 30 touchdowns... Accounted for 2,000 yards rushing and 4,737 yards passing in his career... Finished with 56 career passing touchdowns and 25 career rushing touchdowns... Played both sides of the ball, and recorded 20 total interceptions in his career.

Troy Matthews, DB, 6-2, 195, New Orleans, La./Jesuit*

At Jesuit: Suffered a season ending injury early on in his senior season in 2007... Attended Delgado CC in the fall of 2008... Transferred to Nicholls in the spring... Doubled for the Blue Jays as a defensive back and running back.

Earvin Moore, RB, 5-10, 205, Stone County, Miss./Miss. Gulf Coast CC*

At Miss. Gulf Coast CC: Helped lead the team to the Mississippi Junior College State Title as a sophomore... Rushed for 650 yards in his second season... Also had 185 yards receiving... Prepped at Stone County High... Rushed for over 4,000 career yards at Stone County.

Chucky Nichols, ATH, 5-11, 180, Laurel, Miss./Northeast Jones

At Northeast Jones: Led the Tigers with 1,569 total yards (933 passing) as a senior... Had 12 passing touchdowns and eight rushing touchdowns... Named 2008 Division 5-4A Most Valuable Back... Selected All-Division First Team... All-State Honorable Mention.

Brennan Nora, DE, 6-4, 265, Destrehan, La./Destrehan

At Destrehan: Led Destrehan to back-to-back 5A State Championships... Was a part of one of the best defensive lines in the state... Compiled a 29-0 record over the course of two seasons... Played in the Bayou Bowl... Finished his senior season with 63 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and eight sacks.

Marquis Russell, DE, 6-2, 250, Miami, Fla./Ventura CC

At Ventura CC: Played two seasons at Ventura CC... As a sophomore had 62 tackles, 12 for a loss, 10 sacks, four fumble recoveries and three forced... As a freshman had 60 total tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles... Comes to Nicholls with teammate Ed James... Prepped at South Dade High with current Colonel Antonio Robinson.

Brandon Spurlock, DT, 6-3, 270, Slaughter, La./Clinton

At Clinton: Was a four-year letter winner, playing both sides of the line for the Eagles... Led the Eagles to four consecutive District 8-2A Championships... Had three seasons of 10-plus wins... Was an All-State and All-District selection in 2008... Picked up All-District honors as a sophomore and junior... An All-State Academic Team selection in 2008... Best season was in 2007 when he had 46 tackles, 14 for a loss and 4.5 sacks.

Donovan Tate, WR, 6-3, 195, Hattiesburg, Miss./East Central CC*

At East Central CC: Finished his sophomore campaign with 38 receptions for 498 yards and six touchdowns... Was a finalist for `Who's Who Among Junior Colleges'... Tapped into the Top-10 in the junior college ranks for yards per catch.

Edet Udoh, DT, 6-1, 310, Hosuton, Texas/George Bush

At George Bush: Was a standout for the Broncos on the defensive line as he was named Lineman of the year in Fort Bend District... Selected to the All-District Second Team... Dubbed by his teammates as a team captain his senior year... Had 26 total tackles (23 solo) that included six for a loss his senior season... Had two sacks and two pass breakups as well.

Paul Wallace, LB, 6-1, 220, Jefferson, La./Riverdale

At Riverdale: Notched 91 tackles (62 solo) his senior campaign that included four sacks... Also forced and recovered four fumbles... Lettered two years in football for the Rebels... Picked up All-District 9-4A Second Team honors as a junior... Nabbed All-District 9-4A First Team recognition as a senior.

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