VCHS, EDW remain in Div. II
February 13, 2013
LSU replaces departures with big-time class
February 13, 2013
Nicholls State football coach Charlie Stubbs likes to take an inside-out approach to recruiting.
What that means is the coach likes to recruit Thibodaux and its surrounding areas first and only expand from the area if needed to fill needs.
It’s safe to say there was more inside than out in the Colonels’ 2013 recruiting class.
Of the 17 players signed by Nicholls, 13 are from Louisiana and six are from Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Mary and Assumption parishes.
“We’re staying with the recruiting philosophy, which is really recruiting the state of Louisiana and the surrounding area,” Stubbs said. “That’s something we continue to place a strong emphasis on.”
On offense, size and athleticism were two of the focal points of the Colonels’ efforts.
Nicholls signed three offensive linemen in the 2013 class – a trio that the team will add to its current underclassman-laden group.
“To get our offense where it needs to be, we’ve just got to have more great linemen in our program,” Stubbs said. “We have a lot of young men returning, so we really should be improving soon in that area.”
Assumption High School standout Hunter Alleman leads the incoming group after a decorated prep career. Standing 6 feet, 4 inches and weighing 280 pounds, Alleman was named to the All-Region Team twice in his career.
Joining Alleman in the trenches are a pair of players from Baton Rouge.
St. Michael the Archangel tackle Brian Hartman joins Dutchtown lineman Brian Hernandez in the 2013 class.
Stubbs said one thing worth mentioning about Nicholls’ lineman signees is their size.
None of the players weigh 300 pounds.
The coach said he and his staff prefer to sign smaller players and build up their strength, rather than chunky players who need to tone down.
“We just don’t have the manpower here to bring in real heavy guys and trim them down,” Stubbs said. “We don’t have a nutritionist and everything like that.”
Away from the offensive line, Nicholls focused on adding versatility to its offense.
The Colonels signed 6-foot, 4-inch receiver Jalen Williams from Westminster Christian Academy. They did so after watching the lanky receiver haul in 63 passes for 884 yards with nine touchdowns as a senior with the Crusaders.
They also added E.D. White tight end Stephen LeBoeuf and Hahnville tight end Cody Morales.
Both players posed matchup problems for opponents in high school.
Stubbs said he has an idea in mind for the tight end position in the future.
“What I’d like to do with our tight ends is get them more involved in the offense where they can flex out and play the wide receiver position or we can squeeze them into the backfield,” Stubbs said. “We want something kind of like the New England Patriots and a few other teams are doing.”
In addition to the beef and skill, Nicholls also added a few wildcards to its offense.
South Lafourche standout Treavon Evans joins St. Michael the Archangel’s Chuka Okpalobi Jr., as players the Colonels listed as “athletes” on their 2013 list of signees.
Evans was a halfback, receiver, cornerback, safety and special teams returner at South Lafourche. He had 1,059 all-purpose yards as a senior with seven scores.
Okpalobi Jr. was a defensive back, halfback and kick returner at St. Michael.
Stubbs said the duo would add versatility to the team’s attack.
“The more talent we get on our team, the more versatile we’ll be able to be and the more I’ll be able to move people around if need-be,” Stubbs said.
On defense, Nicholls took nine players – many of whom will be trying to fill the void left by senior standout linebacker Jordan Piper’s graduation.
Nicholls signed four linebackers in the 2013 class – a group led by local products like Terrebonne’s Jeremiah Thomas and E.D. White’s Geoffrey Hebert.
St. James linebacker Seth Keller and Biloxi High School’s Ronnie Walker round out the Colonels’ linebacker signees.
“We had graduated a few linebackers, but this helps with our special teams, too,” Stubbs said. “Usually the linebackers are key in special teams.”
While the Colonels stocked up numbers at the linebacker position, the possible gem of the whole class was the team’s lone defensive lineman signee.
Defensive tackle Keithen English will transfer to Nicholls after two seasons at the University of Houston.
English is a 6-foot, 2-inch 330-pound stopgap in the middle of a defense. Coming out of high school, English was a 3-star prospect, according to recruiting website Rivals.com.
He initially chose Houston over a slew of offers – a list including Oklahoma State, Arkansas and Mississippi St.
“He is (the jewel),” Stubbs said. “Because he’s kind of proven. … We’re super excited to have him.”
To round out the 17 players signed, Nicholls also took four players in the secondary, adding Central Catholic standout Josh Singleton and also Loreauville cornerback John Reed, Foley High School (Ala.) safety Brenaska Tywain Sanders and Baker High School (Ala.) safety Kevin Singleton.
Even though Signing Day is complete, Stubbs emphasized continually throughout his press conference that Nicholls isn’t finished signing players.
The Colonels’ coach said he would continue to evaluate players throughout the spring to try and find additional players.
Some of those guys may be late qualifiers from high school or transfers from Football Bowl Subdivision schools.
“I think we can add in the neighborhood of five or six more guys,” Stubbs said.
Stubbs said the entire process is part of a turnaround – one that he believes will see the team push into the win column.
“I know the win-loss column isn’t what we want it to be,” Stubbs said. “But that will happen – I guarantee you that.”
Nicholls State football coach Charlie Stubbs talks to reporters during National Signing Day. The Colonels hauled in several local players in their 17-man class.
