Four Many Tiger Seniors Sign On First Day of Early National Signing Day Period

Four Many Tiger Seniors Sign On First Day of Early National Signing Day Period

by Jace LeJeune

The early National Signing Day Period is still new in its second season. Both coaches and players are still getting used to it, but already, it seems to have a positive impact on both sides. Yesterday, on the first day of the early signing period, which is from December 19th to December 21st, there was a lot of action going on in the country especially in the state of Louisiana. Many High School is one of the many schools to host a National Signing Day ceremony and for good reason. The Tigers, led by Head Coach Jess Curtis, have been one of the most talented teams in the state of Louisiana. In eight seasons as head coach, all Curtis has done at Many is win football games. His record over that span has been very impressive winning over 80% of his games with an overall record of 90-18. Curtis has also won over 10 games as well as a district championship every year from 2013-2018. Also, added to his resume is a state championship runner up in 2013, Class 2A Coach of the Year in 2014, and most importantly, a state championship victory in 2014. The last two years have been great as well with the Tigers posting back to back 12-2 seasons. Unfortunately, the Tigers fell in the semifinals both those years against the Welsh Greyhounds in the Class 2A playoffs. Even with the success, the last two losses left a bad taste in some of the seniors’ mouths including senior RB Shacori Williams. However, he, along with his seniors, will always remember the lasting impact Many football has had on them.

“We had a great off-season and built a great relationship with each other,” Williams said. “That bond lead into the season and it took off from there as we had a great season. Sadly, we didn’t get to the Dome like we wanted, but I will always remember that bond we built and the fun that we had on our Road to the Dome.”

The Many bond is so strong is that it is still strong not only between current players, but between former players and current players. Case in point, Williams’ former teammate RB AJ Carter, who signed last year with Arizona State, stopped by the school during the ceremony to support his former teammates.

“AJ Carter was a great teammates,” Williams said. “He was like a brother and the advice he gave me about the recruiting process is to go to the school that shows the most loyalty to you.”

That was the decision not only Carter, but also his teammates DE Myron Warren, CB Tavier Williams, and OLB Ni’Kendrick Carter had to make when they approached the signing table yesterday. Below are the perspective players that signed yesterday along with the teams they signed with. Louisiana Football Magazine’s recruiting expert Lee Brecheen gave his thoughts on these signees and when they can make an impact for their perspective schools. Also, Coach Curtis got the chance to talk to us about how his players impacted the program and where he sees his kids in the next couple of years!

 

RB Shacori Williams (5-10, 207)

• Signed with Army
• Bio: Over the last two seasons, Many has produced plenty of good running backs one being AJ Carter (Arizona State), and now, Shacori Williams. Williams has had impressive numbers and will go down in the record books as one of the best players in program history. Over his career, Williams has accounted for more than 3,800 yards and 60 touchdowns. He has earned multiple district awards, a district MVP, and an All-State honorable mention. It is even more impressive considering that his senior season was a little bit of a disappointment after suffering a knee injury earlier in the season. Williams also was recognized by Brecheen to be on the cover of the North Louisiana magazine and to also be named on our 1st Team All-North Louisiana team before the 2018 season. This is what Williams had to say about signing with the Black Knights.
• “I chose West Point because it’s a very prestigious school,” Williams said. “It has a great academic and a great football program. When I get to Army, I want to perform well and I want to try and graduate with a 3.5 or higher. I also want to become a great leader and serve my country.”
• Lee Brecheen: “Shacori Williams had to miss a lot of the season because of a knee injury. I want to see him get his weight back down once again and be the running back he was before the injury. When he is healthy, Williams is as good as it gets in Louisiana as he runs with power and hits the hole as fast as anyone. I think Army has got themselves a steal. He is going to be a great player for the Black Knights.”
• Coach Curtis: “Going into the season, Shacori was one of the top running backs in the state. He was coming off a 2,000 yard junior season. He got injured in the third game of the year against North DeSoto and was battling a MCL injury. Still, he made a great impact on our team. He never left that leadership role when he got hurt. He is a really physical back and fits Army like a glove in their smash mouth option type of offense. He is going to be wonderful there and that is going to be a great get for them.”

 

CB/SS Tavier Williams (6-2, 170)

• Signed with ULM
• Bio: Senior defensive back Tavier Williams is the younger brother of Tobias Williams, who was also a Many product and ended up signing with Northwestern State. Instead of following his brother to Natchitoches, Tavier has decided to take his talents to Monroe to play for the Warhawks. Tavier Williams has been a starter on Many’s team for the last three seasons and has been one of the most versatile players in the secondary playing both corner and safety. The two time 1st Team All-District defensive back has had over 100 tackles, 10 of them for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions. Williams is a good athlete that also plays basketball. Brecheen believes that with Williams’ athleticism and versatility, he can be a great player once he gets his chance.
• Lee Brecheen: “Tavier Williams is a guy that I can see redshirting this upcoming season for ULM. I can see him running downhill making hits as a strong safety in college.”
• Coach Curtis: “Tavier is a smart, smart football player for us and is also a 4.0 GPA student. At 6-2, tall cornerbacks like that do not grow on trees and he is also a great press man corner as well. He is just a terrific player and really took half of the field away on defense taking out the opponent’s best receiver. Those players are hard to find and he will be a tremendous asset for ULM.”

 

OLB Ni’Kendrick Carter (6-3, 230)

• Signed with FIU
• Bio: One of the most intriguing players in the whole state is senior Ni’Kendrick Carter. Carter has played multiple of positions for Curtis and his staff. Projected at outside linebacker, that was his natural position on defense, but due to Williams’ injury, Carter saw a lot of carries at the running back position. Just say, at 6-3, 230 pounds, Carter is a load to bring down once he gets going. The talented physical specimen was an one time commit to the SMU Mustangs earlier in June, but decommitted from the Mustangs in October. Then, two months later, Carter commits to the FIU Panthers just ten days before he signs and then, the rest is history. Brecheen is very intrigued by Carter and is looking forward to seeing him play at the next level.
• Lee Brecheen: “Ni’Kendrick Carter is a really unique player. He can play fullback, tight end, linebacker, and maybe even on the defensive line if he gains some weight. He could definitely see some playing time early for the Panthers.”
• Coach Curtis: “Ni’Kendrick is a big kid. He played several positions for us and he really just kept growing and growing. He came in as a running back for us and in his senior year, he grows to be about 6-2, 230. In fact, he is still growing. By the time he gets at FIU, he will probably be an edge pass rusher. He looks like he is NFL ready right now with his size. Ni’Kendrick played so many positions for us this year starting at the defensive side and then moving him to offense when Shacori was injured to run the ball some and become an extra edge blocker for us. He was able to help us pretty much in different ways, which makes him a very intriguing player for FIU to get. It is kind of hard to place him at a position knowing that he can grow so it is great to have a guy who can play different positions.”

 

DE Myron Warren (6-3, 240)

• Signs With Texas
• Bio: Senior DE Myron Warren was the big signee nationally out of Many’s senior class. Like his teammate Carter, Warren is a physical specimen that also was considering another DI college in TCU. Back in May, Warren committed to the Horned Frogs, but ended up decommitting later on. Then, Warren committed to Texas right after taking an unofficial visit and ended up signing with the Longhorns yesterday. The three time All-District selection saved his best season for last earning All-District defensive honors with 85 tackles, 14 sacks, and an incredible 30 tackles for loss. Warren was the leader of a defense that only gave up nine points per game including seven shutouts. Brecheen believes that Warren still have some work to do before he can make a big impact on campus, but he believes that the future is bright for the three star defensive end.
• Lee Brecheen: “Myron Warren is a project guy and may have to sit for a year to learn, but I could be wrong. He has the potential to be a starter at Texas within a year or two. I believe Texas has got them a steal for the future.”
• Coach Curtis: “Myron is probably one of the best players to come through our school and that is saying a lot. He just has a tremendous motor as well as great speed and get off. He has the ability to play with his hand down or up and that is very attractive to Texas especially playing in the Big 12, where they are running spread up tempo offenses. I think Myron is going to do well there.”

 

 

Coming Up: Being known as one of the most talented teams in the state, there is a possibility that there will be some more Many seniors that sign in the later signing period, which is in February. According to Coach Curtis, the only player that is guaranteed to sign then is senior offensive lineman Lenard Hickman. This is what Coach Curtis had to say about the senior offensive lineman.

“We feel like we will have one more guy that will sign and his name is Lenard Hickman,” Curtis said. “He is a 6-3, 290 pound offensive lineman and played a lot for us. I think he will play offensive guard at the next level. He moves well and is the best run blocker that we had since I have been here and that is saying something.”

Hickman has a couple of offers including one from Nicholls State, Georgia State, New Mexico State, and Grambling. He will sign with one of those names in the February signing period.

 

For a lot of schools, this will be a rare day with this many DI players signing in one day, but the way Coach Curtis has got this team rolling, it is just another normal signing day at Many High School.

 

Hey football fans. Like our recruiting interviews, stories, and other content on our website? Click on our website daily to view articles on recruits, coaches, and so much more at our website: http://www.lafootballmagazine.com/. Also, we have exciting news that for the second straight year, we will have our North and South LA issues and both are now out! Both issues will continue to cover all the Louisiana colleges as well as all the high schools in state, but there will be 16 pages that will focus on North Louisiana as well as South Louisiana. For more information, please check the following link to where you can find the magazine in a store near you. Also, below are the two covers as well as where you can order both magazines on our website.

Stores Link: http://www.lafootballmagazine.com/news/c48-recruiting/2018-louisiana-football-magazine-north-and-south-editions-now-available-in-stores-near-you/

 

North Cover:                                                                                 South Cover:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North Link: http://www.lafootballmagazine.com/product/la-football-magazine-2018-annual-preview-north-edition/
South Link: http://www.lafootballmagazine.com/product/la-football-magazine-2018-annual-preview-south-edition/