THIBODAUX, La. – Coming off their third Southland Conference title in the last six years, the Nicholls State University football program announced Wednesday the addition of nine student-athletes for the early December signing period.

Nicholls added one mid-year signee -- Joseph Bradford, who was a former teammate of quarterback Pat McQuaide at Mississippi Gulf Coast, and eight high school standouts -- Talan Bingham (Terrebonne), Jacob Carpenter (Evangel Christian), Marcus Dawson (University), Kelvin Gray (East Ascension), Paxton Lafont (E.D White), Shane Lee (Destrehan), Anthony Rogers (Laurel), and Preston Welch (Teurlings Catholic).

The full signing class will be announced during the February signing period. 

MID-YEAR SIGNEES (1)
Joseph Bradford - OL, 6-1, 290, Pass Christian, Miss., Mississippi Gulf Coast/St. Stanislaus

HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES (8)
Talan Bingham - DL, 6-3, 315, Houma, La., Terrebonne
Jacob Carpenter - OL, 6-2, 265, Shreveport, La., Evangel Christian
Marcus Dawson - DB, 6-3, 185, Baton Rouge, LA., University High
Kelvin Gray - OL, 6-3, 330, Gonzales, La., East Ascension
Paxton Lafont - WR, 6-4, 200, Thibodaux, La., E.D. White Catholic
Shane Lee - RB, 5-10, 200, St. Rose, La., Destrehan
Anthony Rogers - DB, 5-11, 170, Laurel, Miss., Laurel
Preston Welch - QB, 6-2, 210, Lafayette, La., Teurlings Catholic


PLAYER BIOS

Joseph Bradford - OL, 6-1, 290, Pass Christian, Miss., Mississippi Gulf Coast/St. Stanislaus
Started all 10 games at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College during sophomore season… earned MACCC All-South Second Team in 2023… also received President's Honors and was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society… as a freshman, played in all 10 games, earning NJCAA All-Academic First Team and distinguished academic All-MACCC honors… was an all-state performer at St. Stanislaus in Mississippi where he played both offense and defense for Coach Nate Encrapera.

Talan Bingham - DL, 6-3, 315, Houma, La., Terrebonne
Prepped at Terrebonne High School for Coach Tyler Lewis… in his senior year, recorded 56 tackles, 27 TFLs, seven sacks, 38 pressures, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one touchdown and one blocked punt… earned All-District 7-5A First Team and LFCA All-State honors… also recognized as Barker Honda Week 2 Player of the Week, Sports Illustrated top DL in Louisiana and Houma Courier Player of the Year nominee.  

Jacob Carpenter - OL, 6-2, 265, Shreveport, La., Evangel Christian
Three-year varsity starter for Evangel Christian Academy, earning All-District three times… named All-City in 2023 after grading out at 90% on offensive line… received President's Award at Evangel and was a member of the National Honor Society.  
 

Marcus Dawson - DB, 6-3, 185, Baton Rouge, LA., University High
Prepped at U-High for Coach Andy Martin where he won a state championship as a sophomore before semifinal finishes during his junior and senior year… an All-State performer as a junior and senior… also received All-District honors during his junior and senior campaigns.  

Kelvin Gray - OL, 6-3, 330, Gonzales, La., East Ascension
Received Most-Improved Player Award at East Ascension… graded out 85% during his senior season… was an All-District performer for Coach Darnell Lee… received Super Spartan Award at East Ascension… served as team captain.  

Paxton Lafont - WR, 6-4, 200, Thibodaux, La., E.D. White Catholic
Played football for the Cardinals under head coach Kyle Lasseigne… totaled 51 receptions for 946 yards and 12 touchdowns in his senior season, earning LFCA All-State 3A First Team… was also an All-District First Team honoree… led E.D. White to an 11-1 record, a district title, and an appearance in the state quarterfinals in 2023… also ran track for the Cardinals.

Shane Lee - RB, 5-10, 200, St. Rose, La., Destrehan
Three-year varsity starter for Coach Marcus Scott at Destrehan High School… rushed for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns over the course of his four-year prep career… was a 3x All District Performer and received All-State honors on his way to helping lead the Wildcats to the 2022 State Championship, as well as State Semifinals in 2021 and '23… is also a standout baseball player for the Wildcats.

Anthony Rogers - DB, 5-11, 170, Laurel, Miss., Laurel
Prepped at Laurel High School in Mississippi where he helped lead his team to a state title… during his senior campaign, received All-State First Team All-District First Team after recording 97 tackles and four interceptions on defense… also starred on offense and special teams, contributing over 600 yards in return yardage and six touchdowns on that side of the ball… made the MS Bernard All-Star Game… rated as a three-star recruit on 247Sports and was ranked fourth-best defensive back in state on MS Prep Red-Zone.

Preston Welch - QB, 6-2, 210, Lafayette, La., Teurlings Catholic 
Three-year varsity starter for Coach Dane Charpentier at Teurlings Catholic in Lafayette, Louisiana…. has thrown for over 8,000 career passing yards and 91 touchdowns while completing 78 percent of his passes… surpassed former NFL quarterback Jake Delhomme for career passing yardage and touchdown record at Teurlings… received All-State, All-Acadiana and All-District recognition during his senior year… threw for six touchdowns while earning MVP in the I10 All-Star Bowl Game.


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