Nicholls football player sets receiving record

The Nicholls State University football team posted a convincing 27-7 victory over the Sam Houston State University Bearkats this past Saturday.

One Nicholls player continued to add to an already impressive career resumé.

Senior wide receiver Damion Jeanpiere, Jr., moved into fifth place all-time in receiving yards in program history.

Jeanpiere Jr. said he had to thank one former high school teammate for that honor.

“It’s a good accomplishment,” Jeanpiere Jr. said. “I’ve got to thank my quarterback, too.”

His teammate, junior quarterback Chase Fourcade, also made history against the Bearkats when he passed Nicholls Hall of Fame quarterback Brad Zeller into second all-time in passing yards in team history.

Wide receiver coach Sean Murphy said he sensed that Jeanpiere Jr. was motivated as a walk-on to the team in 2015.

“It was pretty easy to tell after about that second or third day that he had a chip on his shoulder,” Murphy said. “Even though his freshman year got cut short due to injury, you could tell he was going to be special.”

Jeanpiere Jr. said Murphy’s guidance has meant a lot to him.

“Coach Murphy taught me a lot from when I was 18 to now. He kind of helped groom me to a man, apart from my parents, too.”

Head coach Tim Rebowe said Jeanpiere Jr. stays active in his craft at wide receiver.

“You just watch his work ethic and what he does after practice,” Rebowe said. “He’s constantly working to get better. He’s been in the film room; he’s been in the weight room. He’s changed his body, and there’s still so much room for growth and improvement every day.”

Rebowe said Jeanpiere Jr. deserves more credit for his stellar play on the field.

“He’s so smooth. I just think he glides when he runs, and I think he’s faster than what people give him credit for,” Rebowe said.

As far as the best parts of his game, Murphy said Jeanpiere Jr. loves the vertical passing game.

“JP likes to go deep. I think that’s always been a JP thing. But everybody’s seen that he’s able to take that short route and then make a lot of people miss,” Murphy said.

Jeanpiere Jr. said he wants to end his senior year being number one in receiving yards in Nicholls history.

Jeanpiere Jr. will only need two more receiving yards to move into fourth place all-time, and just three catches to record 100 receptions as a Colonel.

The Colonels (2-2, 1-1 SLC) face the Lamar University Cardinals Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at John L. Guidry Stadium, their last home game until Homecoming on Oct. 27.