McNeese Football Signs No. 1 Class In Southland Conference

(KHLA - Lake Charles, Louisiana) - McNeese football head coach Matt Viator announced the signing of 17 players during Wednesday’s football early signing period, a class that has the Cowboys ranked No. 1 in the Southland Conference and 13th in the FCS according to 247Sports.

Included in the signing class are three players rated at 3-star recruits according to 247Sports.com: offensive lineman Sami Abdelhak (6-3, 310) out of Southern Lab High School in Baton Rouge, offensive lineman Jadyn Rhodes (6-5, 300) from West Orange Stark HS and West Orange, Texas, and quarterback Brady Barrier (6-2, 205) from Barbers Hills HS in Anahuac, Texas.

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“I’m very excited about this class,” said Viator. “It’s a very fluid operation now. We have some kids we signed are still playing. This is just the first phase of this. Then in a couple of weeks, we’ll bring in some more kids. Then on January 2 the portal opens and that’ll be a whole other deal. And then the next signing day for high school kids will be February 4.”

Viator expects more signings over the next few weeks. Junior college and Division 2 players have until the start of spring classes to sign, which falls on January 20 for McNeese.

Of the 17 that signed, four are from the JUCO ranks while 13 are high school players. Breaking down by position: four offensive linemen, four defensive linemen, four defensive backs (two safeties, two cornerbacks), and one each at quarterback, tight end, wide receiver and running back.

Eight are from Louisiana, seven from Texas, one from Mississippi and one from California.

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2025 McNeese Football Signees

McNeese Football 2025 JUCO Signees

Erick Franklin, S, Butler CC, Lake Charles, La.

Parker Ireson, TE, Tyler JC, 6-5, 230, North Richland Hills, Texas

Mene Va’aalii, DL, 6-2, 275, Moorpark JC, Simi Valley, Calif.

Sentario Willis, S, Co-Lin JC, 6-2, 180, Crystal Springs, Miss.

McNeese Football 2025 High School Signees

Sami Abdelhak, OL, 6-3, 310, Southern Lab HS, Baton Rouge, La.

Brady Barrier, QB, 6-2, 205, Barbers Hills HS, Anahuac, Texas

Paityn Collins, CB, 6-0, 185, Ferriday HS, Ferriday, La.

Miguel D’Angelo, OL, 6-6, 310, Walker HS, Denham Springs, La.

Trevor Haman, WR, 6-0, 185, The Dunham School, Baton Rouge, La.

Denrie Hamilton, CB, 6-3, 170, Morton Ranch HS, Houston, Texas

Kameron Harris, S, 6-4, 220, Minden HS, Minden, La.

Lenord Howard, DL, 6-2, 280, Westgate HS, Broussard, La.

Cullen McIntosh, DL, 6-5, 220, Oak Grove HS, Oak Grove, La.

Hudson Mock, OL, 6-4, 275, Kingswood HS, Houston, Texas

Jacob Molina, DL, 6-1, 275, Friendswood HS, Friendswood, Texas

Jadyn Rhodes, OL, 6-5, 300, West Orange HS, West Orange, Texas

Peyton Thomas, RB, 5-7, 190, Cypress Ranch HS, Houston, Texas