HAMMOND, La. – A total of 23 student-athletes will continue their academic and athletic endeavors as members of the Southeastern Louisiana football program starting in the 2019 season, SLU head coach Frank Scelfo announced on Wednesday at the opening of the early signing period.
All but three of the Lion signees come from the high school ranks. Southeastern’s three junior college additions – defensive lineman Jaeden Ridgeway (Pearl River CC), quarterback Mason Schucker (Hutchinson (Kan.) CC) and defensive lineman Josh Smith (Pearl River CC) – will all have three years remaining and will participate in spring practice.
“For us to be successful over the long term, we have to build a solid foundation,” Scelfo commented. “We believe this signing class is the first step towards roster stability and being able to compete for championships consistently.”
When Scelfo took the helm of the Lion program in January, he pledged that Louisiana would be the focus of Southeastern’s recruiting efforts. All but three of Wednesday’s additions prepped in the Pelican State.
“Our staff was able to start, build and nurture relationships with the high school coaches in Louisiana throughout the recruiting process,” Scelfo said. “We made it clear that Southeastern is always going to be there. We’re fortunate to be in a talent-rich area, so we have to take advantage of that. Our recruiting efforts are always going to start right here at home.”
In addition to building relationships with the high school coaches, Scelfo and his staff spent as much time getting to know the newest Lions, evaluating their character as well as their talent.
“We believe in this class, not only for the players they are on the field, but for the people they are off the field,” Scelfo said. “We’re bringing in young men with the capabilities of fulfilling the pillars of our department’s mission statement of excellence in the classroom, community and competition. For Southeastern Football to have a winning culture, we have to bring in not just the right players, but the right people.”
The 2019 early signing class focused heavily on the defensive side of the ball. A total of 17 defenders will be joining the Lion roster, including seven defensive backs and six linebackers.
“Lack of depth on defense was a huge concern for us,” Scelfo said. “With the number of players we have returning on that side of the ball, we had to focus on creating depth and finding play makers on defense.”
Southeastern will open 2019 preparations with spring practice starting on March 12. The annual Spring Game is scheduled for April 13 at 2 p.m.
Southeastern Louisiana Football 2019 Signing Class
Darrian Achane – ATH – 5-9 – 178 – Jennings, La. – Jennings HS
Jaylin Armwood – DB – 6-2 – 184 – Baton Rouge, La. – Catholic HS
Lucien Babino – DB – 5-11 – 182 – Marrero, La. – John Ehret HS
Robert Buquoi – DB – 6-2 – 197 – Covington, La. – St. Paul’s HS
Herman Christophe – LB – 5-11 – 223 – Plaquemine, La. – Plaquemine HS
Kendall Collins Jr. – RB – 5-7 – 183 – New Orleans, La. – De La Salle HS
Michael Corner Jr. – WR – 6-1 – 175 – New Orleans, La. – Edna Karr HS
Justin Douglas – DB – 5-10 – 165 – Atlanta, Ga. – Mount Vernon Presbyterian School
Hayden Hagler – TE – 6-3 – 220 – Sulphur, La. – Sulphur HS
Darrius Harry – LB – 6-2 – 218 – New Orleans, La. – East Jefferson HS
Michael Henderson – LB – 5-11 – 251 – Baton Rouge, La. – Madison Prep Academy
Alex Huszar – LB – 6-0 – 215 – Destrehan, La. – Destrehan HS
Ron Madison – LB – 6-3 – 230 – New Iberia, La. – Westgate HS
Gregory Mahtook – DB – 6-0 – 186 – Lafayette, La. – St. Thomas More HS
Carrington McClinton – DB – 5-9 – 188 – Lake Charles, La. – Washington Marion HS
Davion Nassri – LB – 5-11 – 208 – Victorville, Calif. – Denham Springs HS
J’Vonte Powers – DB – 5-9 – 160 – Plaquemine, La. – Plaquemine HS
Jaeden Ridgeway – DL – 6-2 – 254 – Pascagoula, Miss. – Pearl River CC/Pascagoula HS
Mason Schucker – QB – 6-4 – 207 – Searcy, Ark. – Hutchinson (Kan.) CC/Searcy HS
Dontrell Smith – CB – 5-10 – 168 – Destrehan, La. – Destrehan HS
Josh Smith – DL – 6-4 – 276 – New Orleans, La. – Pearl River CC/Landry-Walker HS
Eldridge Walker – DL – 6-2 – 251 – Marrero, La. – John Ehret HS
Brockhim Wicks – OL – 6-2 – 302 – Plaquemine, La. – Plaquemine HS
2019 Southeastern Louisiana Football Signee Profiles
Darrian Achane – ATH – 5-9 – 178 – Jennings, La. – Jennings HS
Starred at both running back and wide receiver at Jennings High School … Finished senior campaign with 875 yards and 15 touchdowns on 170 carries … Also a standout on the JHS track and field team … Rushed for eight touchdowns as a junior.
Jaylin Armwood – DB – 6-2 – 184 – Baton Rouge, La. – Catholic HS
Played a key role for a Catholic High team that won a pair of state titles and made three trips to the state title game during his career … Tallied 52 tackles, 13 pass breakups and one interception in final high school season … Multi-sport athlete excels on the basketball court as well as the gridiron.
Lucien Babino – DB – 5-11 – 182 – Marrero, La. – John Ehret HS
Standout at John Ehret High School, helping the Patriots to the state semifinals … Finished with 73 tackles, five sacks, six tackles for loss, four pass breakups and an interception as a senior … Also runs track and is on the wrestling team for John Ehret … Teammate of fellow Lion signee Eldridge Walker.
Robert Buquoi – DB – 6-2 – 197 – Covington, La. – St. Paul’s HS
All-district performer at St. Paul’s High School in Covington … Recorded 44 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and eight pass breakups as a senior … Also plays on the St. Paul’s baseball team.
Herman Christophe – LB – 5-11 – 223 – Plaquemine, La. – Plaquemine HS
Played linebacker, fullback and tight end at Plaquemine High School … Two-time first team all-district performer … Posted 76 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble as a senior … Played in the Red Stick Bowl … Teammate of fellow Southeastern signees J’Vonte Powers and Brockhim Wicks.
Kendall Collins Jr. – RB – 5-7 – 183 – New Orleans, La. – De La Salle HS
Dynamic running back at De La Salle High School in New Orleans … Helped team to state semifinals as a senior and state championship game as a junior … As a senior, finished with 1,029 total yards and 12 touchdowns … Rushed for 1,094 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior … Finished his prep career with 2,674 rushing yards and 39 total touchdowns.
Michael Corner Jr. – WR – 6-1 – 175 – New Orleans, La. – Edna Karr HS
Finished with nine touchdowns and 536 yards on 33 catches as a senior at Edna Karr High School … Scored seven touchdowns as a junior … Has helped the Cougars to three straight Class 4A state championships.
Justin Douglas – DB – 5-10 – 165 – Atlanta, Ga. – Mount Vernon Presbyterian School
Versatile athlete was a standout at both defensive back and wide receiver at Atlanta’s Mount Vernon Presbyterian School … Finished with 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns receiving on the way to earning first team all-region honors in 2018.
Hayden Hagler – TE – 6-3 – 220 – Sulphur, La. – Sulphur HS
Productive tight end at Sulphur High School … Caught 26 passes for 411 yards and four touchdowns as a senior … Also credited with 36 pancake blocks.
Darrius Harry – LB – 6-2 – 218 – New Orleans, La. – East Jefferson HS
Active linebacker at East Jefferson High School … Accumulated 75 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, six sacks and a forced fumble during senior season … Leader on and off the field serves as senior class president at EJHS.
Michael Henderson – LB – 5-11 – 251 – Baton Rouge, La. – Madison Prep Academy
All-district honoree on both the football and track teams … Played in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl … Also throws shot put for MPA.
Alex Huszar – LB – 6-0 – 215 – Destrehan, La. – Destrehan HS
First team All-District 7-5A linebacker at Destrehan High School … Helped team to a district championship and a state semifinal appearance … Finished senior campaign with 112 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks and a forced fumble … Teammate of fellow Lion signee Dontrell Smith.
Ron Madison – LB – 6-3 – 230 – New Iberia, La. – Westgate HS
Effective edge rusher played linebacker and defensive end at Westgate High School in New Iberia … First team all-district selection as a senior … Finished campaign with 54 tackles, five sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Gregory Mahtook – DB – 6-0 – 186 – Lafayette, La. – St. Thomas More HS
Played linebacker and strong safety at St. Thomas More High School … Earned All-District 4-4A and All-Acadiana honors … Credited with 106 tackles, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries as a senior … Helped team to state finals as a senior and state semifinals as a junior … Latest member of family to play at the Division I level … Two uncles played at LSU, while one played at UL Lafayette … His cousin Mikie was an All-American baseball player at LSU, first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Rays and is currently a member of the Detroit Tigers organization.
Carrington McClinton – DB – 5-9 – 188 – Lake Charles, La. – Washington-Marion HS
Multi-time all-district and all-state performer at Washington-Marion High School in Lake Charles … Played safety and running back for the Class 3A Indians … Also a standout in the return game … Finished senior season with 94 tackles, two sacks, one interception and six pass breakups.
Davion Nassri – LB – 5-11 – 208 – Victorville, Calif. – Denham Springs HS
Spent senior season at Denham Springs High School, helping the Yellow Jackets to the state playoffs … Posted 85 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions in lone season at DSHS … Recorded 45 tackles as a junior at Montgomery High School in Texas … Also competes on the DSHS track and field team.
J’Vonte Powers – DB – 5-9 – 160 – Plaquemine, La. – Plaquemine HS
First team all-district selection as a senior at Plaquemine High School … Four-year starter finished with 75 tackles, 10 pass breakups and two interceptions in final season … Dominant on special teams, returning two kickoffs and a punt for touchdowns, as well as blocking three field goals … Participated in the Red Stick Bowl All-Star Game … Teammate of fellow Lion signees Brockhim Wicks and Herman Christophe.
Jaeden Ridgeway – DL – 6-2 – 254 – Pascagoula, Miss. – Pearl River CC/Pascagoula HS
Spent freshman season at Pearl River Community College, where he collected 16 tackles and a sack in 2018 … Will have three years of eligibility left at Southeastern … Prepped at Pascagoula High School … Junior college teammate of fellow Lion signee Josh Smith … Will participate in spring practice in March.
Mason Schucker – QB – 6-4 – 207 – Searcy, Ark. – Hutchinson (Kan.) CC/Searcy HS
Comes to Hammond with three years of eligibility remaining … Threw for 1,688 yards and 13 touchdowns as a freshman at eighth-ranked Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College … Prepped at Searcy High School, where he threw for 6,011 yards and 62 touchdowns over his final two seasons … Will participate in spring practice in March.
Dontrell Smith – CB – 5-10 – 168 – Destrehan, La. – Destrehan HS
2018 first team District 7-5A selection at both defensive back and return specialist as a senior at Destrehan High School … Recorded 51 tackles, four interceptions, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble in 2018 … Also returned a combined five kickoffs and punts for touchdowns as a senior … Helped Wildcats to a district championship and a spot in the semifinals of the 2018 state playoffs … Also a standout on the DHS track and field team … Teammate of fellow Lion signee Alex Huszar.
Josh Smith – DL – 6-4 – 276 – New Orleans, La. – Pearl River CC/Landry-Walker HS
Will have three years remaining after spending freshman season at Pearl River Community College … Recorded 18 tackles and one sack in 2018 at PRCC … Three-star recruit coming out of Landry-Walker High School in New Orleans … Junior college teammate of fellow Lion signee Jaeden Ridgeway … Will participate in spring practice in March.
Eldridge Walker – DL – 6-2 – 251 – Marrero, La. – John Ehret HS
Productive defensive end at John Ehret High School … Helped Patriots to 2018 state semifinals … Totaled 57 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in senior campaign … Teammate of fellow Lion signee Lucien Babino.
Brockhim Wicks – OL – 6-2 – 302 – Plaquemine, La. – Plaquemine HS
Starting center anchored the offensive line at Plaquemine High School … Helped PHS to the District 6-4A championship … Graded 93 percent as a senior and was credited with 102 pancake blocks … Teammates of fellow Lion signees Herman Christophe and J’Vonte Powers.