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STAFF Andy Bryson- Owner/Publisher

Laura Norsworthy– Senior Editor

Kristen Bryson– Editor

Phil Blanchard– Dir. Of Marketing

Jason Saucier– Photographer

Jasmine Brown– Writer

Dorian McElwee– Writer

Richard Hebert– Dir. Of Ad Sales

Jada Davis-- Writer

and Business Development www.LouisianaGridironFootball.com

By: John Paul Guidry, DPT, CSCS

At Guidry Golf and Sport we offer golf and sports performance training. We can help improve overall sports performance in both youth and adults. Through his training with TPI, John Paul can help you get back to the course after injury, play pain free or help to improve your performance and overall fitness. Our services include an extensive evaluation including a TPI golf specific screen as well as deeper individualized evaluations of areas that are needed. We provide a workout program based on the findings of this evaluation in combination with the clients golf performance and fitness related needs. We offer training out of our facility at Guidry Physical Therapy Services in Lacombe. We are also working with James Leitz PGA and his assistants out of Tchefuncta Country Club in Covington. We offer a team approach either with James or your current teacher if needed in order to address your golf swing as well as your fitness and performance levels. James is a world renowned teaching professional and the facilities at Tchefuncta are some of the best in the country. We are working on offering travel services to your gym or home as well as offering training out of John Paul's home gym. What is TPI? The Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) is the world's leading educational organization dedicated to the study of how the human body functions in relation to the golf swing. Since its inception in 2003, TPI has studied thousands of golfers ranging from the top professional Tour players to weekend enthusiasts. An incredible amount of data on players of all shapes, sizes, ages, and fitness levels has been gathered during this time. Using this data, TPI discovered how a properly functioning body allows a player to swing a golf club in the most efficient way possible. Additionally, TPI has analyzed how physical limitations in a player’s body can adversely affect the golf swing and potentially lead to injury. All this R&D means little to the average golfer if it can’t be put into practice in a simple and meaningful way. TPI Certified members are the delivery vehicle of all this knowledge to you. By working with a TPI Certified expert, you’re tapping into this vast knowledge base and taking the right

www.guidrypt.com John Paul Guidry DPT, CSCS JohnPaul@guidrypt.com 61700 Hwy 434 Unit D

Phone (985) 882-8427

Lacombe, La 70445

Fax (985) 882-8429

WE OFFER ONE HOUR 1 TO 1 TREATME T WITH A DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

steps necessary to find your most efficient golf swing. TPI does not believe in one way to swing a club, rather in an infinite number of swing styles. But, we do believe there is one efficient way for every player to swing and it is based on what the player can physically do. The most efficient swing is not the same for every golfer, because efficiency is unique to their body. To achieve an efficient swing, a golfer must first be screened. This screen involves an assessment of swing mechanics and biomechanics, physical fitness, movement quality, current health and a client history. Once this screen is finished, the results are used to create a plan unique for that golfer. We offer home/gym programs with follow up consults, one on one and small group training. We have packages available for those interested in multiple one on one sessions. Please contact us for pricing by calling 985 235 7130 or via email at Johnpaul@guidrypt.com Disclaimer: Although the owner of John Paul Guidry is a licensed physical therapist, rendering Performance Services does not constitute the practice of physical therapy or any other service for which a state licensure is required. Guidry PT’s Performance Services are based upon John Pauls’s proficiency in and knowledge of how to help clients set and reach their performance goals. These services are not covered by insurance.

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CONTENTS 9.1.17 6

From Player to Head Coach: Louisiana College

GSU Tigers Ready to Claw their Way through the SWAC

10 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 12 Cowboys Season Preview 14 Nicholls Hard At Work 17 Diamond in the Rough: Martin Lee III 18 Diamond in the Rough: Juwan Felix 20 DJ Chark: Is He LSU’s Next Big Time Receiver? 28 Northwestern State University Demons 30 Southeastern Louisiana Lions 32 Southern Jaguars Ready to Pounce into the 2017 Season 34 Catch the Wave for the 2017 Tulane Season

Upcoming Issues Sept

36 Ragin’ Cajuns Plan on Applying Pressure in this Year’s Conference

College Preseason

38 Claws out for the University Louisiana Warhawks

Oct-Dec Season Updates Jan

All-Louisiana Team

Feb

Louisiana Players Entering The Draft

March College Recruiting April

NFL Draft

May

Look At Spring Football

June

Recapping the Draft and NFL Free Agency

July

Tailgating Super Issue

August NFL Preseason

Where you can pick up an issue: Baton Rouge: City News Stand, Denham Springs: Double Click Solutions, Balloon Mania, Gonzales: Ralphs Market, Slidell: Camille City Donuts, iSupply, Lacombe: Guidry Physical Therapy, Prairieville: Ralphs Market

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Dear Readers, I want to personally thank you for getting this magazine. Here at Louisiana Gridiron Football (LGF), our mission is to bring you the inside scoop from all 12 Louisiana College/University teams and 32 NFL teams as well as some high school football. This month’s magazine is a little appetizer of what this season will bring in the NFL. If you haven’t checked out our Facebook page you really need to. We recently went live with Marlon Favorite (former LSU National Champion and Super Bowl winning Saint) to talk about how we think the NFL and more specifically the Saints are going to do this season. As we gear up for the 2017 football season here at LGF, we encourage you to keep a close eye on our social media and Facebook content which tends to change frequently. I myself eagerly anticipate all the football to come this year. Don’t forget we are more than just a magazine, so check out our Twitter, Facebook, and website below for all your football news. Additionally if you wonder what it would take to advertise with us here at LGF either in the magazine or online please contact our knowledgeable sales crew at (225) 931-8711 or richard@louisianagridironfootball.com . Let us work with you to get your product/services out there.

Sincerely,

A. Bryson www.LouisianaGridironFootball.com

By Jada Davis The Nicholls State Colonel’s athletic department has announced several new developments to enhance the football gameday experience for their devoted fans. "Since the end of last season, we have received some great input and feedback from our campus community and alumni, as well as our Colonel Fan Focus Group. Each of these items are designed to provide our fans, some of the most loyal in the country, with the best gameday experience possible," Director of Athletics Matt Roan said. More ticket booths will be open to alleviate congestion on the west side of Guidry Stadium. Renovations have been made to restrooms, including fans to improve air flow, a substantial clean, a paint job, as well as brand new LED lighting. There have also been enhancements made to “Colonel Village”. Colonel Village, a fanfestival area that began several years ago, will continue in 2017 and remain in the same location directly north of Guidry Stadium. The festivities in Colonel Village will begin three hours prior to kick off, and will feature inflatables for kids and live music. The athletic department has added many more aspects to the Colonel’s gameday experience including game programs, postgame meet and greets, concerts, cooling stations, all-new video board and sound system, and Nicholls football team entrance; just to name a few. It seems like Colonel fans are in for a surprise this season! The Nicholls State Colonels are entering their 3rd season under head coach Tim Rebowe. Rebowe, a 54-year old native of Norco, LA, earned the title of head football coach on Nov. 21, 2014, becoming the 10th in the program’s history. Rebowe has a history of coaching in Louisiana. In fact, his entire coaching career has taken place within the borders of this wonderful state. Mr. Rebowe coached at Louisiana-Lafayette as an assistant for 11 seasons and was a former assistant coach at Nicholls for six years. Rebowe vowed to build the program by recruiting local talent; his first three recruiting classes consisted of 58 Louisiana natives out of a total of 64 signees. In his first signing class, Rebowe welcomed 26 student-athletes, all from the Pelican State and the majority coming from within a 100-mile radius of Thibodaux. The 2016 recruiting class was referred to, by some, as the best in the program’s history, and several true freshmen made an undeniable impact on the Colonel’s success last season. Coach Rebowe has remained persistent at building the program with local talent. Nine of his 12-member 2017 signing class came from Louisiana. The Colonels envision this being a breakthrough season for them. Their 2017 roster has a nice structure as it returns 50 letter winners, and loses just four starters on offense and two on defense. Amongst the returnees are allleague honorees Chandler Arceneaux, Sully Laiche and Allen Pittman. For the first time since 1992, Nicholls will open up its season with a Southland game. The Colonels host rival McNeese State for a Thursday night showdown at John L. Guidry Stadium on Aug. 31. They are looking to defeat the Cowboys for the first time since 2008. www.LouisianaGridironFootball.com

The Colonel’s offense features quarterback Chase Fourcade once again. Fourcade landed and has maintained his starting job after conducting an impressive fall camp as a true freshman. He has earned honorable mention AllSouthland after performing one of the best passing performances in the program’s history, racking up 2,482 yards for the third-best single season of any Colonel. Chase accounted for 27 touchdowns (18 passing and nine rushing) and finished fourth in the league in passing yards with 257.1 per game. The offensive line also welcomes back two of its anchors, right tackle Chandler Arceneaux and center Ryan Hanley. Arceneaux earned First-Team AllSouthland after starting all 11 games, and Hanley received honorable mention for the second time. Due to the graduation of C.J. Bates, quarterback Chase Fourcade has to find a new No. 1 target. Bates led the team with 798 yards and nine touchdowns on 53 receptions leading him to being named Second-Team All-Southland. The top candidate to replace him is Fourcade’s Rummel High teammate, junior Damion Jeanpiere. Damion’s strong freshman crusade was cut short with an injury, but he returned and racked up 505 yards receiving and six touchdowns last season. The Colonel’s defense has made improvements under Coach Rebowe and defensive coordinator Tommy Rybacki, shaving numbers off its points allowed, total defense and rushing defense. The most substantial change from 2015 to last season was the rush defense, which went from 10th-best in the SLC at 244 yards allowed to fourth in 2016 at 141 yards. That’s pretty impressive. A key component in the Colonels’ improved defense was the play of the defensive line. A First-Team selection as a true freshman, Sully Laiche guided the charge with 9.5 sacks, which ranked third in the league, and finished second on the team with 60 tackles. Kenny Dotson pitched in with 4.5 sacks and joined Terrell Encalade with 30 or more tackles. Two main starters return for the linebackers along with redshirt sophomore Allen Pittman and junior Hezekiah White leading the group. Pittman had a breakout rookie season, leading Nicholls with 95 tackles and was named Second-Team All-Southland. White constructed another strong year with 58 stops, 9.0 tackles for loss, and two interceptions. The Colonel’s defense that led the Southland with 15 interceptions has the task of replacing two starters in the secondary. One being B.T. Sanders, who signed a free agent deal with the Buffalo Bills, and the other being Jeff Hall. Christian Boutte, who had three picks, is the team’s leader in pass breakups with nine. Boutte and Darryl Adams both return for the defensive backfield. We can call it a comeback for the Colonels’ special teams. The team is fortunate to bring back all of their key members of the special teams. Senior punter Tyler St. Germain returns after starting the last two seasons. He is joined by his fellow classmate David McKey who was the team’s primary kicker in 2016, connecting on nine field goals. Junior long snapper Wesley Barnett is expected to start for the third straight season. Sophomore Stefano Guarisco was the team’s top kick returner last season, collecting 777 yards on 37 returns for a 21.0 average. Jarrell Rogers led the punt returners with five returns for 26 yards. Coach Rebowe completely changed the culture of this team in his first year, ending a program-record losing streak and led Nicholls to a pair of road victories in Southland play. Last season, the Colonels recorded their first winning campaign in the SLC since 2005 and finished tied for fourth place. Before Rebowe’s arrival two seasons ago, Nicholls had finished last in the league for four consecutive seasons. It is absolutely amazing what Coach Rebowe is doing with the Colonels. Best wishes to Nicholls State as they begin their 2017 season! www.LouisianaGridironFootball.com

DJ Chark: Is He LSU’s Next Big Time Receiver? By: Coach Andy Bryson

I have had the pleasure of getting to know DJ Chark these past few seasons. To answer the question, Is DJ Chark LSU’s Next Big Time Receiver; the short answer is yes and the long answer is heck yes. LSU has been missing not only a talented signal caller but an offensive coordinator to teach and direct this team. DJ, in my opinion, could be the number one receiver on any college football team in the country. At 6’4” and 200 LBS, he has the elite speed to match the impressive size of this talented young man. Chark is an explosive receiver who has the ability to score each time he touches the football. DJ is a deep threat who can also be used in the running game and will be LSU's “go-to” receiver in 2017. DJ Chark is the Tigers’ top returning wide receiver in 2017 after finishing last season with 26 receptions for 466 yards. Chark’s five touchdowns were third on the team and first amongst receivers in 2016. With an offensive coordinator like Matt Canada, DJ Chark along with the rest of the offense will become better and be better used throughout the game. Chark is a first round talent, if he comes out in 2017 and makes it known. www.LouisianaGridironFootball.com

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-by Jada Davis

Southern football will open the 2017 season by making its third appearance in the SWAC-MEAC Challenge. The Jaguars are the only SWAC school to win in the 10-year history of the SWAC-MEAC Challenge, having beaten Florida A&M in 2007 in Birmingham, Alabama, and Delaware State in 2010 in Orlando, Florida. Fans are pumped to hear the Human Jukebox blow as they’ll lead the Jaguars into Ace W. Mumford Stadium for the season opener on September 3 against the South Carolina Bulldogs. But before the season even kicks off, four of Southern’s Jaguars have made the Black College Football Player of the Year award watch list. These players include seniors Austin Howard, Dillion Beard, Danny Johnson and Aaron Tiller. Quarterback Austin Howard passed for a career best with 29 touchdowns as a junior last season. He is entering his senior year with 62 career passing touchdowns and 7,286 passing yards. Tight end Dillion Beard has been one of Howard’s top returning targets having caught 38 passes with six touchdowns a season ago. Beard is expected to take on a larger role this season. Cornerback Danny Johnson is Southern University’s only preseason FCS All-American; he picked off a Southwestern Athletic Conference best seven passes a season ago. Johnson already has 13 career interceptions as he is entering his final season. Aaron Tiller, defensive end, ranked among the SWAC leaders in tackles for loss in the past two seasons and in sacks. Last season, he recorded nine sacks.

positions. Coach Berry said, “That kid is so, so talented. He’s a big bodied kid, 330 pounds. He’s athletic. He can bend. He’s got excellent feet. He’s got a nastiness to him. The sky is the limit.” Andrea Augustine is a clear cut starter and is expected to play a key role in coordinator Trei Oliver’s defense. Coach Oliver has been very demanding because he sees something special in Augustine. Danny Johnson described Augustine as having a real long body and being able to cover some ground. While head coach Dawson Odums added, “He’s what they’re supposed to look like. Now he has to play like that. I think he will. He’s ready.” Since Andrea Augustine has arrived, he’s played in every game making 60 tackles and breaking up five passes. With repetition, Augustine has become more confident as a player and a person.

On a typical morning on the Bluff, you can find the Southern Jaguars practicing and maybe even doing celebratory dances. Southern University’s coaches have come up with a celebration circle, which is a circular orange piece of tubing. It’s the brainchild of coach Dawson Odums: a designated area for his team to get together and celebrate a job well done. The In addition to these standouts, Jeremiah Abby is not to be idea behind it was team underestimated. Since he walked onto Southern’s practice unity and to avoid playfield he has always taken on the biggest, most dominant deers feeling discouraged from showing excitement. “We don’t want to fender he could find. Abby squared off against Aaron Tiller, one take the fun out of the game,” Oliver said. “I think, if you make the of the SWAC’s top defensive ends, in a one one-on-one board big play, they’ve earned the right to celebrate. We don’t want to take drill which allows players to showcase their prowess in a head to any of that from the guys; we want to have fun. After you have a big head matchup. Tiller rarely loses so Jeremiah Abby called him play, hand the ball to the official. And when we get over to the celeout and said it was a chance to prove himself. He knew it would- bration circle, we’re going to pump it up.” This encourages the playn’t be easy. Abby told himself, there was no way he could lose ers to make plays when they can. “As much time and hours as the because the offensive linemen would look at him as the crazy guys put into it, you have to have fun when you play the game. And freshman who called out the defense’s stud. Then, the unexwhen you make a big play, you deserve the right to celebrate with pected happened when Jeremiah Abby won! Everyone was your teammates. Some of the guys have to work on their dance shocked even Abby. If he could block Tiller, then he could possi- moves a little bit before Sept. 3, but we’re going to get that ironed bly block any lineman in the country. Jeremiah Abby is athletic out” said Coach Oliver. with great mechanics and has good instincts because he does The Southern Jaguars have a talented squad both on offense and destuff that you can’t coach. Never in coach Chennis Berry’s career fense. With great coaches and a group of men looking to capitalize has he played a true freshman but he plans on making an excepand make the necessary plays, the Jaguars just might be the ones to tion. Abby will be Southern’s starting left tackle, replacing Mabeat. GO JAGS! son Sims and Christian Rodriguez, who rotated at the spot last year. Sims and Rodriguez have been pushed to the guard www.LouisianaGridironFootball.com

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by Jasmine Brown

Mark Hudspeth is heading into his seventh year as the head coach over at the University of Louisiana. The Ragin’ Cajuns finished third last year in the group of five conferences with their work on the field as a collaborative conference. The Ragin’ Cajun’s goal as a program for their university and community is to compete for championships every year. This year the Cajuns have a tough schedule. Coach Hudspeth told his players, “the greatest views come from the hardest climbs” so they plan on attacking the season one game at a time. Southeastern Louisiana is a very good team and will face the Ragin’ Cajuns at Cajun field for their season opener. Following this game, the Cajuns will get into very tough nine games of their Conference schedule. Then, this year is a little different because the Cajuns will open up with the University Louisiana Monroe at home for the first Conference game which is a big change from what it has been in the past, where the Cajuns would normally play ULM as the last game of the season. The Cajuns will also play both co-champions, Arkansas State and Appalachian State, on the road this season. The Ragin’ Cajuns will be aired on ESPN for two Thursday night games, as they have demanded national media attention. Many are going to learn, what is going on in Lafayette, Louisiana. Offensively, when looking into the strengths of the Ragin’ Cajuns, the strengths would be their front on both sides of the football. The offensive line returns four starters including Grant Horst, D’Aquin Withrow, Robert Hunt and Kevin Dotson. These guys have 13 games under their belt. On the defensive line, just about every starter is returning including freshmen All-American Joe Dillon and he will be a game changer as the Cajuns move forward throughout the season. The Cajuns have a lot of depth at the defensive line and are stacked with men who received a lot of field time. The depth of the offensive line has been increased too so these two units will be called upon as the season goes along. Another big question the Cajuns have received is who will be filling the quarterback position. After the spring game, Jordan Davis was given the starting quarterback position. Jordan is a guy who has been in UL’s program and he is currently going into his fourth season. Therefore, he knows what is expected from his coaches and he understands what they are about as an organization. Plus, Jordan has had a great relationship with the new offensive coordinator, Will Hall, as he’s been preparing to attack the upcoming season. Coach Hudspeth said, “Jordan Davis has some big days ahead of him and I think having four starters in front of him back on the offensive line has got to give him a feel of security as he is back there spinning the ball around. To me, one of the best wide receivi www.LouisianaGridironFootball.com

ng cores in the conference so that’s another exciting part.” At the running back position, the Ragin’ Cajuns have to fill the big shoes of Elijah McGuire. Coach Hudspeth is not sure that they will replace him right away. Elijah McGuire was the second lead rusher in the Cajuns’ history and he was drafted this past season by the New York Jets. Following him, the Ragin’ Cajuns appear to have a lot of good candidates for the running back position. Senior Darius Hoggins was expected to start but he suffered an injury so sophomore Jordan Wright and redshirt freshman, Trey Ragas may have to fill the void. In addition to them, sophomore Raymond Calais of Breaux Bridge and true freshman Elijah Mitchell are working with the second unit. Hudspeth expects all four to play in the season opener and believes they have nothing to worry about. On the defensive line not only do the Cajuns have Joe Dillion but defensive tackle Taboris Lee is also a returning player. According to Coach Hudspeth, “Taboris Lee has been one of the main steadies on this team and in this Conference for the last three seasons.” Jarvis Jeffries is back along with Trev Miller so Coach Hudspeth believes the Cajuns have a good group of guys with experience that played at a high level last year and should be able to play big this season. In the Cajuns’ secondary, they are also packed with experienced players especially with Tracy Walker and Travis Crawford. Walker and Crawford are both at the safety position and in

addition to this they have .lot of corners that are experienced and ready to play. The defense’s biggest question is the linebacker position after losing Otha Peters and Tre’maine Lightfoot who had 200 tackles combined. Therefore, veteran T.J. Posey has stepped up as the starting linebacker. The Ragin’ Cajuns look forward to the 2017 season opener against Southeastern Louisiana as they will be on playing on their new turf in the Cajun field. The 39 game series with Southeastern Louisiana in football is the sixth longest for the Ragin' Cajuns in school history with Louisiana holding a 19-17-3 lead. University Louisiana holds an 11-9-2 lead over the Lions at Cajun Field with the series tied at 8-8-1 in Hammond. The schools, who are approximately 90 miles apart and were members of the Gulf States Conference from 1948-70, are meeting on the gridiron for the first time since 1981 when the Lions (now a member of the Southland Conference) claimed a 7-0 victory over then SLC-member Southwestern Louisiana. Although the Cajuns have a tough season ahead of them, they also have a talented group of men lined up to take on whoever steps in their path. Coach Hudspeth said, “if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best” and that’s exactly what the Cajuns plan on doing in the 2017 season