Head coach Charlie Stubbs announced 17 signings for Nicholls football on National Signing Day.
Before breaking down each player, Stubbs explained his confidence in the program’s vision for recruiting.
“None of them I feel like I signed to sign,” Stubbs said. “All of them I feel good about. Some people in recruiting, there is no substance behind it. We do have a plan.”
With only one player transferring from another university, Stubbs explained the logic behind going after high school players.
“We do a better job if we bring these guys in from high school and develop them,” Stubbs said. “They really become better players, and they also understand what we want from them academically.”
Despite his preference for high school prospects, Stubbs admitted that defensive tackle Keithen English, who redshirted for the University of Houston, may be the gem of the class. The Dallas Morning News ranked English, the lone defensive linemen of the class, no. 65 in the Dallas area.
“He is kind of proven,” Stubbs said. “He was one of the top players in the Dallas area.”
While Stubbs only added one to the defensive line, the Colonels will bring in three new offensive linemen. Hunter Alleman, who was named first-team All-District in his junior and senior seasons, comes from nearby Assumption High School. Blake Hartman comes to Nicholls from St. Michael the Archangel in Baton Rouge, where he gained All-District honors playing on the Mustang line.
Rounding out Stubbses’ offensive line recruits was Brian Hernandez of Baton Rouge. Hernandez lettered three years for Dutchtown High School and helped the team reach the 5A Regional playoff.
“We know to get the offense where it needs to be, we have to have more great linemen,” Stubbs said.
To add to their receiving corps, the Colonels are bringing in one wide receiver, Jalen Williams of Westminster Academy in Opelousas. Williams accumulated 884 receiving yards and nine touchdowns as a senior.
Additionally, Nicholls announced two new tight ends in Stephen Leboeuf of E.D. White Catholic High and Cody Morales from Hahnville High School. Both tight ends received All-District honors. Stubbs hopes to feature his tight ends prominently in the passing game.
“What I would like to do is use our tight ends more in the offense, where they can flex out to the wide receiver position,” Stubbs said.
Stubbs mentioned his desire to use his running backs in a style growing more popular in the NFL.
“I think we will be tough to defend if I can get it going with the tight ends,” Stubbs said. “The more formations or plays you can do without substituting, the better you will be.”
Two players in the recruiting class were not specified at a certain position. Treavon Evans of South Lafourche High School and C.J. Okpalobi of St. Michael the Archangel in Baton Rouge were both listed as “athletes.” Both players can play multiple positions including offense, defense and kick return.
“I got some versatile athletes,” Stubbs said.” I wanted to get young men that can play multiple positions. They played offense, defense and returned kicks. The more talent we get, the more versatile we can be. We can move people around instead of just doing one thing.”
With a number of linebackers moving on from Nicholls, Stubbs restocked his linebacking corps with four signees. Geoffrey Hebert comes from E.D. White High School where he received All-Region honors. Seth Keller joins the Colonels from St. James High in Vacherie. Keller amassed 123 tackles as senior.
Jeremiah Thomas, who averaged over 10 tackles a game as a senior at Terrebonne High School, will also join the Colonels roster. Ronnie Walker earned Team MVP at Biloxi High School before signing with Nicholls.
While going over his recruiting class, Stubbs stressed signing players that were both good athletes and students.
“We look at not only if they can play the game of football, we look at academics and their character,” Stubbs said. “Will they fit in this community and in this university?”
After ranking near the bottom of the conference in academic performance, the Colonels now sit second in the SLC.
Two new cornerbacks, J.P. Reed of Loreauville High School and Josh Singleton of Central Catholic High School in Morgan City, will join the Colonels.
Filling out the defensive recruits were safeties Branaska Tywain Sanders of Foley High School in Foley, Alabama and Kevin Singleton of Baker High School in Mobile.
Sanders and Singleton are two of only three players recruited from outside of Louisiana.
Many of the players Stubbs and his staff will bring in have played multiple sports, from wrestling to track.
“I know they’re going to be in great shape because they are going right to track,” Stubbs said. “They’re not just going to be sitting around during the spring.”
Stubbs mentioned the opportunity for multisport athletes to participate in other sports if they can make an impact in football.
“They know if they work hard and prove themselves, I will open up the door to play baseball,” Stubbs said.  “Some schools will say you can’t play baseball, but I keep that door open.”
Heading into his fourth year as head coach, Stubbs felt confident Nicholls could get back on track after a pair of disappointing seasons. Recruiting is the first step in reaching that goal.
“After three years, what have we done?” Stubbs said. “I know the win-loss column isn’t where we want it to be. But that will happen. I guarantee you that. We needed to grow the program in o
ther areas. The academics have drastically improved. I’m not satisfied as long as we have one guy who doesn’t know what we want. We got a lot of guys in the right direction.”