WAFB 9 News Baton Rouge, Louisiana News, Weather, SportsColonel Football Signs 14 Student-Athletes

THIBODAUX – Fourteen student-athletes have signed letters-of-intent to play football at Nicholls State University, announced third-year head coach Charlie Stubbs on National Signing Day (Feb. 1).

"First off, I'm very pleased with the 2012 signing class," said Coach Stubbs. "The 14 young men that we've signed will be great additions to our program. They are not just gifted athletes, but they are very good students as well, which is exactly what we're looking for. I feel like the quality of this class is tremendous because we have added some really good football players that will make an impact as early as the next season."

Stubbs' 2012 signing class consists of five junior college players that include two mid-year signees and nine high school seniors. Of the 14 signees, eight are from Louisiana as the program has made it a high priority on signing in-state recruits.

The class features nine players on defense, with three linebackers. Leading the group is a pair of all-state honorees, 6-0/235 Chris Bermond (Pearl River CC) and 6-2/230 Chris Lorden (John Curtis Christian). Also at this position is Louisiana standout 6-0/215 Kameryon Brown (Southern Lab).

The Colonels added three defensive linemen, which includes local prospect 6-2/270 Jared Breaux (Central Lafourche). Rounding out the front line are 6-2/260 Andrew Hebert (Catholic New Iberia) and junior college transfer 6-2/275 Lorenza Young (Cisco JC).

After losing both starting cornerbacks to graduation, Nicholls signed one defensive back. 5-11/185 Anthony McLean (Coahoma CC) joins the Colonels after two seasons in the junior college ranks.

On offense, Nicholls added four position players, led by first-team all-state running back, 6-2/215 Michael Henry (Episcopal). Also bolstering the offense are quarterback 6-4/200 Dash Duncan (St. Michael the Archangel) and wide receivers, 6-3/185 Von Breaux (Northside) and 6-3/205 Erik Buchanan (Itawamba CC).

Rounding out the recruiting class are three offensive linemen; three-time Texas all-state honoree 6-3/280 Brandon Holmes (Estacado), 6-3/270 Gary Bruce (South Lafourche) and junior college transfer 6-5/335 Joe Bonner (Copiah-Lincoln CC).

Even with the addition of 14 student-athletes, the Colonels will continue to look to add more talent as the year goes on.

"Our recruiting philosophy, with today being our first wave of recruits, is to continue to periodically add young men to our program," said Coach Stubbs.

Coach Stubbs is entering his third season at the helm of the Colonel football program.

"I appreciate all the coaches' efforts and all the support staff that helped make the recruiting weekends go so well," added Coach Stubbs. "I felt that we did a very thorough job of selling not only program, but the university as a whole."

A complete listing of the 2012 Nicholls Signing Day Class is as follows:

Chris Bermond, LB, 6'0", 230 lbs., Hancock HS/Pearl River CC, Bay St. Louis, Miss.
At Hancock: Named First-Team 6A All-State and All-District 4-6A as a senior… Earned Second-Team 6A All-State as a junior…Received All-District 4-6A honors as a sophomore at wide receiver.
At Pearl River: Named All-MACJC as a freshman and sophomore… As a sophomore recorded 63 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and one forced fumble in eight games.
Parents: Son of Annette and Chris Bermond, Sr.

Anthony McLean, CB, 5'11", 185 lbs, Dorman HS/ Coahoma CC, Roebuck, SC
At Dorman: Played football for the Cavaliers… Named to True Blue Cavalier Club for being an outstanding athlete on and off the field…All-Region 2-4A…Two-time Coca-Cola Player of the Game…Friday Night Blitz Player of the Game… As a senior, had five interceptions, three blocked punts and two blocked field goals.
At Coahoma Community College: Played football for two years for the Tigers… Earned an associate's degree… Graduated with a 3.4 GPA… As a sophomore, compiled 40 tackles and two interceptions.
Personal: Son of Trina and Beautford Keenon.

Jared Breaux, DL, 6'2", 270 lbs, Central Lafourche HS, Lockport, LA
At Central Lafourche: Named All-District 7-5A as a senior... Had 115 total tackles, one forced fumble, an interception and nine sacks as a senior… Participated in the Bayou-River All-Star Classic… Also a member of the golf team… Averages 40-43 strokes per nine holes.
Parents: Son of Connie Breaux Corrill and Alex Breaux, Jr.

Andrew Hebert, DL, 6'2", 260 lbs, Catholic-New Iberia, New Iberia, LA
At Catholic-New Iberia: Was a four-year starter for the Panthers… Named honorable mention 2A All-State as senior… Received First-Team All-District 6-2A and was named MVP… Earned First-Team All-District 6-2A as a junior… Named All-District as a sophomore… Won the 3A state championship in powerlifting as a junior… Earned Academic All-State honors as a senior… Graduated with a 4.0 GPA.
Parents: Son of Nicole Meche.

Lorenza Young, DT, 6'2", 275 lbs, George Bush HS/Cisco JC, Houston, Texas
At Cisco: Named Second-Team All-Conference (SWJCFC) as a sophomore… Named First-Team All-Conference (SWJCFC) in 2010… As a sophomore, led team with four sacks…Finished career with 64 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, six sacks and a forced fumble.
Parents: Son of Kathy Mars

Kameryon Brown, LB, 6'0", 215 lbs, Southern Lab, Baton Rouge, LA
At Southern Lab: Tight end: Named All-District 7-1A. Linebacker: Two-time Second-Team All-District 7-1A…As a senior, recorded 115 total tackles, five sacks and four interceptions; also had five offensive touchdowns …Also participated in track… Runs the 200M, 4x100M, and 4x200M… Member of 2011 Region Champion 4x100 Team.
Parents: Son of Lynnell and Ronald Harding.

Chris Lorden, 6-2, 230, John Curtis Christian, New Orleans, LA
At John Curtis: As a senior, named 2A All-State, All-Metro (New Orleans) and All-District 6-2A as a senior… Helped lead the Patriots to state title recording 18 sacks, 68 total tackles and 15 tackles for loss as a senior… As a junior recorded nine sacks… Career record of 57-3… Two-time 2A State Champion… Two-time 2A State Runner-Up.
Parents: Son of Cathy and James Lorden.

Joe Bonner, OL, 6'5", 335 lbs, Hazlehurst HS/ Copiah-Lincoln CC, Hazlehurst, MS
At Hazlehurst: Played football for the Indians… Named Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2009. At Copiah-Lincoln: Played football for the Wolfpack… Last season, team rushed for 1,500 yards in nine games… Two-year starter at tackle and guard.
Parents: Son of Nina Cook.

Gary Bruce, OL, 6'3", 270 lbs, South Lafourche HS, Cut Off, LA
At South Lafourche: Earned First-Team All-District 7-5A as a senior… Named team's Outstanding Offensive Lineman three times…Participated in the Bayou-River All-Star Classic. Parents: Son of Gloria Bruce. Brandon Holmes, OL, 6'3", 280 lbs, Estacado HS, Lubbock, TX At Estacado: Named 3A All-State two times… Also earned All-City, All-District 2-3A and All-South Plains honors three times… Made Honor Roll… Member of Student Council
Parents: Son of Esther Martinez and Duke Holmes

Michael Henry, RB, 6'2", 215 lbs, Episcopal HS, Baton Rouge, LA
At Episcopal: Garnered First-Team 2A All-State and All-Metro as a senior at linebacker… also earned First-Team All-District 7-2A at linebacker and running back… Earned First-Team All-District 7-2A at linebacker as a junior… As a junior, recorded 93 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and 11 tackles for loss… Tallied 81 total tackles and 13 tackles for loss as a senior… On offense, had 1,600 yards rushing with 28 touchdowns… had 300 receiving yards with three touchdowns and a kick return for a touchdown, earning District 7-2A Offensive MVP... Named to Red Stick Bowl, earning MVP honors.
Parents: Son of Barbara and Michael Henry 

Von Breaux, WR, 6'3", 185 lbs, Northside HS, Lafayette, LA
At Northside: Played football and ran track for the Vikings… Member of National Honor Society… Received Scholastic Award…As a senior and junior in football, earned Honorable Mention All-District 5-4A…As a senior, he recorded 20 catches for 300 yards and three touchdowns… In track ran the 400M, 4x200M, and 4x400M….2011 400M Regional Champion.
Parents: Son of Betty and Harold Breaux.

Erik Buchanan, WR, 6'3", 205 lbs, Itawamba CC, Aberdeen, MS
At Aberdeen: Three-time First-Team All-District… Two-time First-Team All-State… Member of 4x100 relay team… As a junior, had 61 receptions for 983 yards and 13 touchdowns… As a senior, amassed 53 receptions for 900 yards and 10 touchdowns... Played in the Max Emfinger All-American Bowl game.
At Itawamba: Compiled 35 receptions for 500 yards and three touchdowns … As a sophomore, played in the MACJC All-Star game.
Parents: Son of Memulette Buchanan

Christopher "Dash" Duncan, QB, 6'4", 200 lbs, St. Michael the Archangel, Baton Rouge, LA
At St. Michael: Named Honorable Mention All-District 6-4A and Academic All-State 4A as a senior… Completed 114 of 209 passes for 1,478 yards and 18 touchdowns through eight games… Earned First-Team All-Metro (Baton Rouge), All-District 6-4A and Honorable Mention All-State 4A as a junior… Completed 240 of 436 passes for 3,214 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Parents: Son of Chris Duncan.