Viator comes out on top during National Signing Day

Viator comes out on top during National Signing Day

By Corey Greiniesen

Staff Writer

The McNeese football team welcomed some exciting new faces to the team this past week during National Signing Day.

"This is always a good day for McNeese football.  We have some great athletes,” stated coach Matt Viator. 

Matt Viator announced the signing of 22 players on National Signing Day Wednesday, a group that includes three transfers, 12 defensive players, nine on offense and a kicker. Included in the 22 signees are four players with a 3-star rating and four players with 2-star ratings either by Rivals, Scout or 247 Sports organizations. Two of the three-star athletes include transfer running backs Derrick Milton from Mississippi State and Nate Holmes Univ. of Arkansas. The other two are defensive back Bryan Blunt out of McDonogh #35 in New Orleans, and defensive back Andre Fuller from Neville High School. 

As a senior, Blunt recorded 97 tackles, two interceptions and scored two defensive touchdowns, he also blocked four punts. Fuller is making the transition from quarterback to defensive back for McNeese.

On top of the three-star athletes McNeese also signed a few two-star players as well. The two-star rated players include defensive back Dominique Hill from Mansfield HS, Johnnie Marsaw out of Bastrop High, linebacker Ashani Goins out of Neville HS, and Tavarious Battiste, a defensive back, from Kentwood High School.

The Cowboys also signed multiple players that are ranked in the state. Offensive lineman Nick Fontenot from Barbe High School in Lake Charles is rated in the top 50 in the state of Louisiana along with fellow Lake Charles native and Washington-Marion wide receiver Demond Delahoussaye who is rated in the top 100.  Offensive lineman Kyle Zenon from Vermilion Catholic HS is another lineman from Louisiana the Cowboys signed that's rated in the top 100 in the state. With the signing of wide receiver Jamari Payne out of Bastrop HS, the Cowboys signed two of the top three statistical receivers in the state of Louisiana.

Coach Viator went into signing day with a plan and he got what he wanted.

“We signed three offensive linemen, three wide receivers and a good portion of defensive guys.  We all agreed as a staff that we should focus on speed and that's what we got.”