Blacknbengal
Well-Known Member
Newman-Landry passing duo heads SU class
By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
jschiefelbein@theadvocate.com
Advocate sportswriter
Advocate staff photo by John H. Williams
Southern coach Pete Richardson talks about Jaguars' prospects at Wednesday night's Recruiting Celebration on the SU campus.
On paper, the duo of wide receiver Gerard Landry and quarterback Alfred Newman could be the best combo Southern's ever reeled in.
Plus, the two could, theoretically, find themselves on the field next season for the defending black-college national champion.
There is a long way to go, of course.
Newman, the Class 4A All-State first-teamer from Istrouma, needs to qualify academically -- though he's not far off. And while Landry, a 3A All-State first-teamer from Lutcher, is already eligible, there is still a big transition.
Even so, there's no discounting enthusiasm.
"I'm ready to step in there and produce," Landry said. "I'm ready right now."
The two headline a class of 17 that signed with Southern on Wednesday. Southern coach Pete Richardson may add a handful of signees in the coming days.
Also, speedy running back Michael Franklin, who transferred from San Diego State last month and will be a junior next season, gives the class an 18th member.
"Offensively, we helped ourselves a great deal," Richardson said. "With (offensive linemen Michael) McGrew and (6-foot-8, 350-pound) Cleveland (Johnigan), they have a lot of athletic ability."
Class 4A All-State honorable mention tight end Eric Alexander of Edna Karr in New Orleans gives another top name to a solid class.
"I think we've got individuals capable of competing," Richardson said. "They've got some good potential. We went for quickness."
As always, Southern dipped heavily into New Orleans, snaring eight signees. Southern also signed three from Texas: linebacker Jamelle Minor from North Mesquite High in Mesquite; tight end/defensive end Trent Thomas from Beaumont; and wide receiver Rogers Taylor from Longview.
"We have to build that bridge from here to Houston," said Richardson, who has been succesful attracting players from that area in the past.
Addressing one of its biggest needs, Southern tried to shore up its defensive secondary, so much so that offensive line coach Gary Smith joked, "I've learned a lot about defensive backs the last couple of months," as he noted Evangel Christian defensive back Travis White had "great hips."
The Jaguars, who lose three of their four starters in the secondary, signed four defensive backs: White, Glenn Bell (from Carver of New Orleans), Jeremy Jason (from Landry of New Orleans) and Michael Williams (of Natchez, Miss., High).
"It's a talented group," Richardson said. "We wanted to fill some voids at wide receiver and defensive back."
Landry was a substantial signee, perhaps the best of the class.
Mississippi State and Tennessee tried for Landry late. And Colorado, which had seemed the front-runner early, kept calling.
"He's an excellent athlete," Richardson said. "He has a lot of upside. His quickness is what separates him. That, and his ability to catch the ball. And he's explosive once he catches it."
Landry (6-4, 205) had 1,175 yards and 11 touchdowns on 50 catches. He said he had another 200 in all-purpose yardage.
"The people are great," Landry said. "And more than the football program, the engineering program is really excellent."
Richardson echoed Landry. He said schools hammered Southern for its poor facilities, but that his coaches sold players on the classroom, where, he said, Southern has an 83-percent graduation rate.
"Engineering sold probably one of the best wide receivers in the state to come here," said Richardson as he thanked the faculty.
Newman (6-3, 195) was the MVP of The Advocate's Class 5A-4A-3A All-Metro team as well as District 7-4A. He threw for 1,888 yards and 20 TDs on 106-for-174 passing in the regular season.
"He can throw that football. I know that," Richardson said. "He's one of the best in the South region."
Newman also was on the All-Metro team at punter for the second straight season, averaging 42.0 yards per punt with a long of 59.
Newman visited Grambling and canceled trips to Jackson State and Mississippi State. Southern had offered Newman first, by the summer, and stayed on him strong all season.
"I stayed in town, because my family wanted to see me play," said Newman, who went to passing camps at Southern each of the last two summers. "I grew up around Southern. I like the program and the coaching staff."
Newman said he needed to improve his ACT score by one point to be eligible.
If he gets eligible, he'll join a quarterback derby as the school tries to replace Quincy Richard, who in his one full season as a starter guided a record-setting offense.
Thomas Ricks, who will be a senior, and J.C. Lewis, who will be a redshirt freshman, are the only scholarship quarterbacks on the roster. Terrence Jones, the Class 1A Offensive MVP in 2002 but a nonqualifier last season, could also join the fray.
A selling point for Newman was Richard's dramatic improvement in two seasons under offensive coordinator David Oliver.
"It really shows in how Quincy was coached. That's amazing," Newman said. "I've got some big shoes to fill, but I'm willing to step up to the challenge."
Even if he's not ready to take over the offense next season, having Newman eligible would be big. First, he can learn the system. Second, he can be a quality back-up as he learns.
"It was huge for us," Richardson said.
"He plays in the same type of offense. Now, it's a matter of him getting academically sound and then being able to learn the system to be able to compete."
By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
jschiefelbein@theadvocate.com
Advocate sportswriter
Advocate staff photo by John H. Williams
Southern coach Pete Richardson talks about Jaguars' prospects at Wednesday night's Recruiting Celebration on the SU campus.
On paper, the duo of wide receiver Gerard Landry and quarterback Alfred Newman could be the best combo Southern's ever reeled in.
Plus, the two could, theoretically, find themselves on the field next season for the defending black-college national champion.
There is a long way to go, of course.
Newman, the Class 4A All-State first-teamer from Istrouma, needs to qualify academically -- though he's not far off. And while Landry, a 3A All-State first-teamer from Lutcher, is already eligible, there is still a big transition.
Even so, there's no discounting enthusiasm.
"I'm ready to step in there and produce," Landry said. "I'm ready right now."
The two headline a class of 17 that signed with Southern on Wednesday. Southern coach Pete Richardson may add a handful of signees in the coming days.
Also, speedy running back Michael Franklin, who transferred from San Diego State last month and will be a junior next season, gives the class an 18th member.
"Offensively, we helped ourselves a great deal," Richardson said. "With (offensive linemen Michael) McGrew and (6-foot-8, 350-pound) Cleveland (Johnigan), they have a lot of athletic ability."
Class 4A All-State honorable mention tight end Eric Alexander of Edna Karr in New Orleans gives another top name to a solid class.
"I think we've got individuals capable of competing," Richardson said. "They've got some good potential. We went for quickness."
As always, Southern dipped heavily into New Orleans, snaring eight signees. Southern also signed three from Texas: linebacker Jamelle Minor from North Mesquite High in Mesquite; tight end/defensive end Trent Thomas from Beaumont; and wide receiver Rogers Taylor from Longview.
"We have to build that bridge from here to Houston," said Richardson, who has been succesful attracting players from that area in the past.
Addressing one of its biggest needs, Southern tried to shore up its defensive secondary, so much so that offensive line coach Gary Smith joked, "I've learned a lot about defensive backs the last couple of months," as he noted Evangel Christian defensive back Travis White had "great hips."
The Jaguars, who lose three of their four starters in the secondary, signed four defensive backs: White, Glenn Bell (from Carver of New Orleans), Jeremy Jason (from Landry of New Orleans) and Michael Williams (of Natchez, Miss., High).
"It's a talented group," Richardson said. "We wanted to fill some voids at wide receiver and defensive back."
Landry was a substantial signee, perhaps the best of the class.
Mississippi State and Tennessee tried for Landry late. And Colorado, which had seemed the front-runner early, kept calling.
"He's an excellent athlete," Richardson said. "He has a lot of upside. His quickness is what separates him. That, and his ability to catch the ball. And he's explosive once he catches it."
Landry (6-4, 205) had 1,175 yards and 11 touchdowns on 50 catches. He said he had another 200 in all-purpose yardage.
"The people are great," Landry said. "And more than the football program, the engineering program is really excellent."
Richardson echoed Landry. He said schools hammered Southern for its poor facilities, but that his coaches sold players on the classroom, where, he said, Southern has an 83-percent graduation rate.
"Engineering sold probably one of the best wide receivers in the state to come here," said Richardson as he thanked the faculty.
Newman (6-3, 195) was the MVP of The Advocate's Class 5A-4A-3A All-Metro team as well as District 7-4A. He threw for 1,888 yards and 20 TDs on 106-for-174 passing in the regular season.
"He can throw that football. I know that," Richardson said. "He's one of the best in the South region."
Newman also was on the All-Metro team at punter for the second straight season, averaging 42.0 yards per punt with a long of 59.
Newman visited Grambling and canceled trips to Jackson State and Mississippi State. Southern had offered Newman first, by the summer, and stayed on him strong all season.
"I stayed in town, because my family wanted to see me play," said Newman, who went to passing camps at Southern each of the last two summers. "I grew up around Southern. I like the program and the coaching staff."
Newman said he needed to improve his ACT score by one point to be eligible.
If he gets eligible, he'll join a quarterback derby as the school tries to replace Quincy Richard, who in his one full season as a starter guided a record-setting offense.
Thomas Ricks, who will be a senior, and J.C. Lewis, who will be a redshirt freshman, are the only scholarship quarterbacks on the roster. Terrence Jones, the Class 1A Offensive MVP in 2002 but a nonqualifier last season, could also join the fray.
A selling point for Newman was Richard's dramatic improvement in two seasons under offensive coordinator David Oliver.
"It really shows in how Quincy was coached. That's amazing," Newman said. "I've got some big shoes to fill, but I'm willing to step up to the challenge."
Even if he's not ready to take over the offense next season, having Newman eligible would be big. First, he can learn the system. Second, he can be a quality back-up as he learns.
"It was huge for us," Richardson said.
"He plays in the same type of offense. Now, it's a matter of him getting academically sound and then being able to learn the system to be able to compete."
