2016 safety with two offers
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Patterson probably produces as many major college signees as any other football program across the nation with a similar high school enrollment. This year's squad is no exception when it comes to top-flight talent. Four-star wide receivers Daylon Charlot and Mykel Jones are marquee names for the Lumberjacks and they have a teammate, 2016 safety Nehemiah Augustus, who is quickly making a name for himself after collecting two offers.
"Louisiana Tech and Southeastern Louisiana are my first two," he said. "Arizona State has been showing love, too. I'm also talking with Mississippi State, Tennessee, Auburn and Louisiana-Lafayette."
At first glance, Southeastern Louisiana doesn't appear to be in the same class as most of the other programs recruiting Augustus. However, the Lions have a roster this year that could produce several future NFL players thanks in large part to numerous big-name transfers from major BCS schools and an underrated coaching staff. Moreover, McNeese State already proved this year that no one should take Louisiana FCS schools lightly after a near-upset of ranked Nebraska.
"Southeastern has been getting good, I noticed," the junior said. "I also really like Florida, Florida State and Auburn. I really want to visit LSU, Bama and Houston camp next summer. The Bama coaches want to get me over there for camp so they can see what I can do."
Patterson has gotten off to an uncharacteristically slow 0-2 start this fall, but their record is deceptive. The 3A Lumberjacks lost to two perennial 5A playoff schools in Brother Martin and Patterson.
"It's most important that we win the game as a team," Augustus said, "but things have gone pretty well stats-wise. In the first game I had four tackles with two for loss against Brother Martin. I had an interception and two forced fumbles against EA."
The Lumberjacks are juiced to get into the win column tomorrow on the road at undefeated Catholic-New Iberia and Ole Miss quarterback commit Jason Pellerin.
"It's important for us to play good football beginning early," Augustus added.
Patterson pounded the visiting Panthers by a 46-25 margin in last year's matchup. Patterson completed the season 9-4 with an appearance in the 3A quarters. Catholic, which competes in a separate (select) playoff grouping, was a Division III semifinalist.
Augustus (6-0, 205) will have the chance to make plenty of plays versus Pellerin and Catholic's option offense. His skills at safety will be needed to slow down Catholic's rushing attack. Pellerin, a tough 6-4, 220-pound signal-caller, is a punishing runner who is tough to bring down when he keeps the football. He doesn't put the ball in the air too often, but when he does it's usually a completion, so an interception or two by Augustus would be a nice addition to this season's highlight footage.