Nicholls Inks 22 on National Signing Day

Courtesy of Nicholls State Athletics

THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University football Head Coach Charlie Stubbs signed a total of 22 prep and junior college standouts on National Signing Day with 12 being from Louisiana, announced the Nicholls Athletics Department on Wednesday afternoon at a press conference held at the Thibodaux Hampton Inn & Suites.

Of the 22 inked on National Signing Day, five are arriving mid-year while the other 17 will join the Colonel family in the 2010 fall semester.

“We are very excited about this group of young men. We feel like we accomplished a lot in a little amount of time, and feel like we got not just some very good athletes, but true student-athletes that value the importance of education,” said Stubbs about his first signing class at the helm of the Colonel football program.

The signing class includes three quarterbacks, all playing in some form of a multiple pro offense in high school. The three quarterbacks are Beaux Hebert of Greater Atlanta Christian, Landry Klann of McCollum, and Justin Rosborough of Ft. Bend Hightower.

Hebert, the youngest son of former NFL quarterback Bobby Hebert, passed for over 1,800 yards while also posting 18 touchdown passes in his senior season in 2009. Klann was the Texas District 29-4A Offensive MVP, accounting for 1,928 yards passing, 1,110 yards rushing and 43 total touchdowns as a senior. Rosborugh was 10-1 as a starter in 2009, and passed for 1,433 yards and 22 scores.

“With the new direction of offensive philosophy that I bring, we had to recruit some top notch quarterbacks that over time will be developed to execute all phases of the offense. These young men have not only exceptional athletically ability, but great leadership qualities,” said Stubbs about his quarterback recruits.

Louisiana standouts on the list include the South LaFourche duo of offensive lineman Rafe Plaisance and tight end Mark Mayberry whom led the Tarpons to a 10-2 record and a District Championship in 2009. Plaisance was an All-District and All-Region selection.

Other homegrown high schools talents signing with Nicholls include tight end Nick Scelfo of St. Michael the Archangel, tight end Josh Dudley of Jesuit, running back Stephen Richmond of DeRidder, linebacker Miles O’Brien of Archbishop Rummel, linebacker Warren Lennix Jr. of Destrehan, defensive back Toren Joseph of St. Augustine, defensive back Jordan Hanberry of John Curtis Christian, defensive backs Brian Lewis and Jonathan Smith of Edna Karr, and Siegan Vergenal of Westgate.

“It did not take me long to realize after studying video and visiting with local high schools that Louisiana has some very well coached teams, and exceptional student-athletes to recruit. It will always be our philosophy to start our recruiting local and expand when needed,” said Stubbs about recruiting Louisiana.

Out of state prep players to make the pilgrimage to Nicholls include running back Marcus Washington of Foley in Lillian, Ala., wide receiver Calvin Davison, Jr. of Blount in Prichard, Ala. Washington was and All-County selection the last three seasons, while Davidson was an All-Region Second Team member.

Mid-year student-athletes to the list include wide receivers Floyd Chism and Kenyad Blair, defensive tackles Gavin Whitfield and Michael Billingsley, and kicker/punter Andrew Dolan. Chism and Dolan are mid-year high school graduates, while Blair, Whitfield and Billinglsy are all junior college additions. All are enrolled in classes for the spring semester.

A complete list consisting of biographical, statistical and personal information is below on the 2010 National Signing Day class.

Player Bios

Beaux Hebert, QB, 6-3, 177, Greater Atlanta Christian, Norcross, Georgia

At Greater Atlanta Christian: Completed over 51 percent of his passes during his senior campaign… Had 18 touchdown passesinterceptions… Threw for a total of 1,800 yards in 2009… Was a team captain… Named All-County while also garnering Gwinnett County Touchdown Player of the Month honors… Two-sport athlete, lettering in basketball on a team currently No. 2 in the state of Georgia.

Personal: Son of Teresa and former NFL quarterback Bobby Hebert.

Landry Klann, QB, 6-2, 200, McCollum High School, San Antonio, Texas

At McCollum: Named District 29-4A Offensive Player MVP, while also garnering All-District First Team honors as a quarterback and safety… Tossed a total of 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions his senior season… Three for a total 5,788 yards while rushing for another 1,770 in his prep career… Also completed 54 percent of his passes to go along with 52 passing scores and 34 rushing touchdowns in his career… Also lettered in basketball and baseball, notching All-District honors in both.

Personal: Son of Kristie and Carl Klann.

Justin Rosborough, QB, 6-2, 180, Ft. Bend Hightower High School, Missouri, Texas

At Ft. Bend Hightower: Named All-District First Team quarterback in District 23-5A… Recorded a 10-1 record as a starter in 2009… Completed 60 percent of his passes his senior season, while also passing for 1,433 yards… Had 22 touchdown passes with only six interceptions in 2009… Rushed for 400-plus yards and six scores as well… Also a standout in basketball and track and field… A two-time member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Son of Elizabeth and Erick Rosborough

Rafe Plaisance, OL, 6-3, 300, South LaFourche High School, Galliano, Louisiana

At South LaFourche: Named All-District and All-Region First Team, while also earning All-State Honorable Mention recognition… Had a total of 63 pancake blocks his senior season… Participated in the Bayou vs. River Region All-Star game held in John L. Guidry Stadium… Also played in the Nike Louisiana vs. Texas bayou Bowl game… Was a member of the track and field team.

Personal: Son of Tammy and Russell Plaisance.

Nick Scelfo, TE, 6-3, 225, St. Michael the Archangel High School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

At St. Michael the Archangel: Named All-District First Team three seasons, while also notching All-State First Team as a senior in 2009… Graduates as the school’s all-time leader in career receptions with 88… Hauled in a total of 49 receptions for 766 yards and six scores his senior campaign… Also lettered in baseball.

Personal: Son of Denise and Robbie Scelfo.

Josh Dudley, TE, 6-3, 205, Jesuit High School, New Orleans, Louisiana

At Jesuit: Had a total of 27 receptions for 430 yards and three touchdowns his senior season in 2009… Was a three year letter-winner in both football and basketball.

Personal: Son of Deidra and Tyrone Dudley.

Mark Mayberry, TE, 6-2, 235, South LaFourche High School, Galliano, Louisiana

At South LaFourche: Named All-District and All-Region First Team his senior season in 2009… Participated in the Bayou vs. River Region All-Star game in John L. Guidry Stadium… Was an Academic All-State selection… An honor roll student throughout his prep career… Named English Student of the Year as a freshman… Lettered in basketball as well.

Personal: Son of Amanda and Mark Mayberry.

Marcus Washington, RB, 6-0, 205, Foley High School, Lillian, Alabama

At Foley: Was a three-year All-County selection in both football and basketball… A three year letter-winner in football, while notching four in basketball… Holds the school record for most receptions in a game with 19… Also holds the school record for most touchdowns in a season with 22… Rushed for 700 yards his senior campaign, while receiving another 400 in 2009… Passed for two touchdowns as well… A National Honor Society and student council member.

Personal: Son of Patricia and Booker T. Washington.

Stephen Richmond, RB, 5-9, 176, DeRidder High School, DeRidder, Louisiana

At DeRidder: Notched All-District First Team recognition his senior and junior seasons… A career three year letterman… Had a total of 219 carries for 1,182 yards his senior season… Averaged 5.4 yards per carry in 2009… Also lettered in track and field… An Honor Roll student.

Personal: Son of Tina and Wayne Richmond.

Calvin Davison Jr., WR, 5-9, 170, Blount High School, Prichard, Alabama

At Blount: Named All-Region Second Team his senior season in 2009… Once garnered Press-Register Player of the Week honors… In his senior campaign, recorded a total of 65 receptions for 965 yards and 14 touchdowns… Was a part of the Elite Service Program, which was a community service organization.

Personal: Son of Cecelia and Calvin Davison Sr.

Myles O’Brien, LB, 6-3, 210, Archbishop Rummel High School, Metairie, La.

At Archbishop Rummel: Was a member of the school’s first ever appearance in the Louisiana State 5A Championship game… Twice named to the Clarion Herald Elite Defensive Team… Notched All-District First Team honors from the Times Picayune and WWL… Had a total of 134 tackles his senior season that included 15 sacks, 20 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles, three pass breakups and one field goal black… Also participated in baseball and track and field.

Personal: Son of Janelle and Rick O’Brien… Grandson of June and Joe Digiovanni.

Warren Lennix Jr., LB, 6-1, 210, Destrehan High School, New Sarpy, Louisiana

At Destrehan: Was a member of back-to-back Louisiana 5A State Championship teams in 2007 and 2008… Helped lead his team to a 32-game winning streak that spanned over the course of three seasons… Had 60 total tackles with seven sacks and three fumble recoveries his senior season in 2009… Played in the River vs. Bayou Region All-Star game in John L. Guidry Stadium… Also a letterman in track and field.

Personal: Son of Deione Daniels and Warren Lennix Sr.

Toren Joseph, DB, 6-1, 185, St. Augustine High School, New Orleans, Louisiana

At St. Augustine: Registered a total of 72 total tackles, three sacks and one interception his senior season in 2009… Was named the Clarion Herald Player of the Week vs. LaGrange High School for his outstanding play in the game… Also lettered in baseball for three seasons… A member of the Honor Roll throughout his prep career.

Personal: Son of Sharon O’Neal and Thomas Joseph.

Jordan Hanberry, DB, 5-10, 185, John Curtis High School, River Ridge, Louisiana

At John Curtis: Was named All-District, All-Metro and All-State First Team his senior season in 2009… Led the school to an appearance in the Louisiana State 2A Championship game… Had a total of 65 tackles in 2009 to go along with six interceptions and three returned for touchdowns… Also garnered Academic All-State and WGO and WWL Scholar Athlete of the Week recognition his senior campaign… Was named U.S. Army High School Player of the Week once in 2009… Lettered in baseball, basketball, and track and field.

Personal: Son of Elaine and Joel Hanberry.

Brian Lewis, DB, 5-10, 180, Edna Karr High School, New Orleans, Louisiana

At Edna Karr: In his senior season in 2009, was named All-District and All-Metro First Team… Also garnered All-State Honorable recognition in 2009… Team went 11-2 his senior year, ending the year in the state playoffs’ quarterfinal round… Recorded a total of 20 career interceptions to go along with 15 pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.

Personal: Son of Katrina and Brian Lewis.

Jonathan Smith, DB, 6-1, 180, Edna Karr High School, New Orleans, Louisiana

At Edna Karr: Was a part of a squad that went 11-2 his senior season that went to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs… Had a total of 90 tackles with one interception in 2009… Finished his prep career with over 120 career total tackles… Also a standout in track and field, being recognized for his athleticism by being named All-District Second Team as a junior.

Personal: Son of Rochelle and Johnny Smith.

Siegan Vergenal, DB, 6-0, 185, Westgate High School, New Iberia, Louisiana

At Westgate: Led hishis senior season… A four year letterman… Named All-District First Team and All-Acadiana Second Team in 2009… Had a total of 71 tackles, five tackles for a loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups and a forced fumble his senior campaign… Also served as the team’s place kicker, notching a career long of 52 yards…Earned the team’s Tiger Award in 2009… Also a an All-District selection in baseball… A member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Son of Angie and Jamie Vergenal.

Floyd Chism, WR, 6-1, 170, Daingerfield High Schools, Lone Star, Texas *

At Daingerfield: Named All-District Honorable Mention in 2009 and Second Team in 2008… Also notched All-District Honorable Mention recognition as a junior… Led his squad to back-to-back Texas 2A State Championships… Lettered in both basketball and track and field, specializing in the 400m and 200m… A member of student council, Business Professional of America and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Personal: Son of Tegra and Torre Chism

Kenyad Blair, WR, 6-2, 205, Northeast Oklahoma Junior College, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma*

At Northeast Oklahoma JC: Finished up his sophomore stint with 40 receptions for over 400 yards and touchdown… Named to the Dean’s List all four semesters.

Personal: Son of Lasonya Basham and Kenny Blair.

Gavin Whitfield, DT, 6-3, 280, Georgia Military College, Warren Robins, Georgia*

At Georgia Military College: Had a total of 24 tackles that included three sacks his sophomore campaign… Presented with the Tough Man of the Year award on defense in 2009… A Dean’s List member… Prepped at Houston County, and finished with 24 tackles and three sacks his senior season.

Personal: Son of Monecius and Milton Davis.

Michael Billingsley, DT, 6-4, 283, Northeast Oklahoma Junior College, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma*

At Northeast Oklahoma JC: Had a total of 30 tackles and two sacks as a sophomore… Garnered the 2007 Jim Thorpe All-Star Game Defensive MVP accolade… Prepped at Southeast High School… A prominent basketball player in high school.

Personal: Son of Camesha Billingsley and Michael Childs.

Andrew Dolan, K, 6-1, 180, McGill Toolen High School, Mobile, Alabama*

At McGill Toolen: Was an All-County selection three seasons, notching First Team as a junior and senior… Named All-State Second Team in 2009… Voted the County’s Special Teams Player of the Year… Was 7-of-10 for field goals his senior season with a long of 48 yards and 42-of-43 on point-after-attempts… Had 37 punts for an average 41.3 yards per mark… Also was a standout soccer player.

Personal: Son of Linda and Danny Dolan. Joins brother Patrick Dolan at Nicholls.