By Jason Pugh, Northwestern State Associate Athletic Director for External Relations
NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State 2025 football signing class is complete.
Second-year head coach Blaine McCorkle announced the addition of six signees Wednesday, bringing the total number of newcomers to the Demon program to 20. That total includes December prep signees, mid-year transfer entrees and the newest faces who joined the fold Wednesday morning.
Eleven of the 20 signees – including all six Wednesday – come from the prep football realm, nine of which played at Louisiana schools. Four of the six student-athletes who signed Wednesday played in the Pelican State.
“Today was a good day,” McCorkle said. “We brought in six high school players to give us 11 high school players overall in the signing class. Kudos to our staff. Carson Stewart, our recruiting coordinator, really headed up a yearlong process to put this together. I’m really proud of the job he and the staff did to bring this group in.”
The six new faces who completed the signing class feature five offensive players and one defensive player.
Offensively, Northwestern added a pair of wide receivers – Gilmer (Texas) High School’s Brendan Webb and Dutchtown High’s Andrew Fields – Spring Hill (Texas) running back Trevor Allen Jr. and two linemen from south Louisiana – Christian Menard of Cecilia and Rory Lambert of Catholic High-Pointe Coupee.
The lone defensive signee Wednesday came from the Shreveport-Bossier City metro area as cornerback Tyler Welch from Huntington High School became the second Raider and third District 1-5A product to sign with the Demons in this cycle.
“Two years in a row we’ve been really, really heavy in state,” McCorkle said. “That’s what we said we were going to do when we got here, and we’re sticking to our guns. That’s how we believe we can build this program – with guys who believe being at Northwestern means something to them. They’re going to stay and it means something.”
Fields, a 6-foot, 180-pound receiver, was a two-way all-district player as a junior for Dutchtown before a summer injury cost him the early part of his senior season. Fields recovered to post an all-district senior season at receiver for the Griffins and to follow his father, Joseph, in the family tradition of playing for the Demons.
“He’s a kid we offered in the spring, and he gets injured in a summer camp,” McCorkle said. “Those things happen. We stuck with him and believed in him. He proved himself capable of recovering and put together a solid back half of his senior season. That tells you he can overcome adversity and has some toughness. He’s healthy and good to go. His dad played here, so that was important for him and his family. That’s pretty cool when you can carry on those traditions.”
Turning west down Interstate 10 from Dutchtown, Northwestern found a pair of offensive linemen with long-term potential in Lambert and Menard.
Lambert is a three-sport standout who lettered four seasons in both football and basketball and added a pair of district shot put titles in the track and field arena. He has been an all-state selection on both the offensive and defensive lines.
“Rory is a guy I’ve known for a long time,” McCorkle said. “He’s a big, tough, physical football player – a classic road grader. (Offensive line coach) Cade Camp and I went and watched him play basketball the other night, and he never came out of the game. He ran up and down the floor. His brother was a good player at another school in our league. Everything about Northwestern was a perfect fit for Rory and what he was looking for.”
Menard gives the Demon signing class another dash of south Louisiana flavor on the offensive line. As part of a state championship team for Cecilia, Menard earned all-state, All-Acadiana and all-district honors.
Like Lambert, he is a multi-sport athlete whose athleticism appealed to the Northwestern staff.
“Christian went through a long recruiting process with us all the way back to the spring and summer,” McCorkle said. “He came to our camps and our junior day. He’s been on campus several times. He was recruited heavily in the state as a really athletic offensive lineman who plays basketball and can really move. He has room to put on some weight. There is a lot of upside there long term.”
A three-time all-city and all-district selection, Welch joined teammate Nehemiah Barrett, a December signee, in the Northwestern class. Welch, a 6-1, 188-pound corner, was the only defensive signee the Demons added Wednesday. A two-way player at Huntington, who also lettered on the Raiders basketball team, Welch’s future at Northwestern is in the defensive backfield.
“Tyler is a long-bodied defensive back, which is what you want,” McCorkle said. “It’s hard to find a guy with length who can play corner, too. He’s been a great receiver for (Huntington) and a great basketball player – just an all-around athlete. We really liked him and offered him early. When he came on his visit, I really liked the way he carried himself and how he interacted with his family. We’re really excited about Tyler.”
Allen Jr. played his high school football in Texas but is a Shreveport native, giving the Demon signing class yet another Louisiana tie.
At Spring Hill High School, Allen topped the 1,400-yard rushing mark in each of the past two seasons and ran for 37 touchdowns in that time, earning all-state honors along the way.
“Running back was not a huge position of need for us in this class, but we will lose three to graduation next year and wanted to get ahead of it,” McCorkle said. “Tyler is a big back, which we like. He also has some kick-return capabilities. He has the potential to be a 210-, 215-(pound) player. I’m really, excited about him. He has a lot of upside down the road.”
Hailing from Gilmer, which won a state championship in 2023, Webb joins Fields as new faces in the Demon receiving corps.
A 6-0, 175-pounder, Webb hauled in 50 passes for 727 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior. During Gilmer’s state title season, Webb snared 60 passes for 886 yards and 12 touchdowns. A two-way player for the Buckeyes, Webb had 82 tackles and eight interceptions in those two seasons.
“You turn on the tape for five minutes, and you know he can play for a lot of people,” McCorkle said. “He’s a young man who in the spring had a lot of offers from the Group of Five schools. We believed in our process and what we’re doing. He’s a dynamic player who will help our receiver room. He’s a fun player to watch.”
While Webb and Menard both hail from state championship-winning programs, all six signees helped the Demons’ signing class extend what has become the standard for McCorkle’s recruiting efforts.
“Last year’s freshman class we bragged on them academically, and they averaged a 3.3 GPA,” McCorkle said. “This year’s class topped it with a 3.4. Every part of our program, we’re constantly wanting to raise the standards. That’s one thing we talked about to our kids who are here working out in the offseason. Things aren’t going to get any easier around here. The standard’s always going to rise. Academics is a big piece of that. I’m excited about the type of people we’re bringing in off the field as well as on.”
2025 Northwestern State Spring National Signing Day List
Trevor Allen Jr., RB, Shreveport, La. (Spring Hill HS)
Andrew Fields, WR, Geismar, La. (Dutchtown HS)
Rory Lambert, OL, New Roads, La. (Catholic-Pointe Coupee HS)
Christian Menard, OL, Cecilia, La. (Cecilia HS)
Brendan Webb, WR, Gilmer, Texas (Gilmer HS)
Tyler Welch, CB, Shreveport, La. (Huntington HS)
2025 Northwestern State Spring National Signing Day Bio Capsules
Trevor Allen Jr., RB, 6-0, 195, Fr., Shreveport, La./Spring Hill HS
High School: Three-year letterman for coach Brandon Joslin’s Panthers … helped Spring Hill reach the playoffs by rushing for 1,423 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior, adding 11 catches for 289 yards and three touchdowns while returning three kickoffs for touchdowns to earn all-state, All-East Texas and all-district honors … ran for 1,455 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior, helping Spring Hill reach the state playoffs and earn all-state, All-East Texas and all-district honors … rushed for 363 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore … participated in the Bayou Bowl All-Star Game … four-year letterman in track and field also earned three letters in basketball … honor roll student has a 3.0 GPA.
Personal: Son of Cleopatra and Trevor Allen Sr. … has two brothers – Christian Richard and Trevor Warren Allen – and a sister, Marie … plans to major in health and exercise science … hopes to play in the NFL and be able to give back to others.
Andrew Fields, WR, 6-0, 180, Fr., Geismar, La./Dutchtown HS
High School: Three-year letterman for coach Guy Mastretta’s Griffins … named all-district wide receiver as a senior as Dutchtown reached the state playoffs … earned all-district honors as a defensive back as a junior … helped Dutchtown reach the second round of the state playoffs as a sophomore … two-year baseball letterman helped Dutchtown go a combined 67-17 in those seasons … holds a 3.5 GPA.
Personal: Son of Ingrid and Joseph Fields, a former Northwestern State football player … has one brother, Ethan, an offensive lineman at Ole Miss … plans to major in health and human performance … hopes to play football at the next level before becoming a physical therapist.
Rory Lambert, OL, 6-5, 300, Fr., New Roads, La./Catholic-Pointe Coupee HS
High School: Three-sport standout for the Hornets … four-year football letterman earned second-team all-state honors on both the offensive and defensive line, first-team all-district on both sides and was an all-metro defensive lineman, helping the Hornets go 10-1 and reach the second round of the state playoffs … named second-team all-state and first-team all-district on both sides of the line as a junior, helping Catholic go 8-4 and reach the second round of the state playoffs … second-team all-district guard as a sophomore when Catholic went 10-2 and reached the second round of the state playoffs … honorable mention all-district center as a freshman … four-year letterman in basketball helped the Hornets reach the state playoffs each season … four-year track and field letterman has won two district titles in the shot put and was a third-place finisher as a freshman … member of the Beta Club and an honor roll student with a 3.8 GPA.
Personal: Son of Paula and Myron Lambert, a former LSU football player … has a brother, Reed, who played football at Nicholls, and a sister, Maggie … plans to major in business administration … career plans is to work his way into a leadership position at his place of employment and be able to retire early and live at the beach.
Christian Menard, OL, 6-4, 270, Fr., Cecilia La./Cecilia HS
High School: Two-sport standout for the Bulldogs … named first-team all-state, All-Acadiana, all-metro and all-district for the 12-3 state champions as a senior … second-team all-district selection for a 12-2 state runner-up team as a junior … helped Cecilia go 8-4 and reach the state quarterfinals, earning honorable mention all-state honors as a sophomore … lettered as a freshman for a 9-4 state quarterfinalist … also lettered four years in basketball … member of the Beta Club, the National Honor Society and the Future Business Leaders of America … All-A and A/B Honor Roll student has a 3.8 GPA.
Personal: Son of Centrell Babineaux and Randall Menard Sr. … nephew of Super Bowl champion running back and Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer Kevin Faulk … has two brothers – Randall Jr. and Cameron – and a sister, Kenzie … plans to major in business administration … hopes to continue his football career, become a realtor and earn his doctorate.
Brendan Webb, WR, 6-0, 175, Fr., Gilmer, Texas/Gilmer HS
High School: Three-year letterman for coach Alan Metzel’s Buckeyes … earned first-team all-district honors as a senior, catching 50 passes for 727 yards and nine touchdowns … added 32 tackles and three interceptions as Gilmer reached the second round of the state playoffs … caught 60 passes for 886 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 257 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries as a junior when Gilmer won the state championship … added 50 tackles and five interceptions and was the state Most Valuable Player … caught 14 passe for 140 yards as a sophomore as the Buckeyes went 12-1 and reached the third round of the state playoffs … four-year track letterman qualified for the state meet in the high jump as a junior … two-year basketball letterman … member of the National Honor Society and the A/B Honor Roll, posting a 3.4 GPA.
Personal: Son of Ashley and Bran Webb … has two sisters – Laci and Cali – and a brother, Bran II … plans to major in general studies … hopes to play in the NFL.
Tyler Welch, CB, 6-1, 188, Fr., Shreveport, La./Huntington HS
High School: Four-year letterman for coach Stephen Dennis’ Raiders … named first-team all-city and all-district, earning honorable mention all-state honors in each of his final three seasons … all-district selection as a freshman starter as Huntington reached the third round of the state playoffs … also lettered in basketball … holds a 3.7 GPA.
Personal: Son of Nitika and Errol Welch … has two sisters, Jakayla and Taylor … plans to major in general studies … hopes to play in the NFL or work in the oil field.