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Warhawks reload in early period

Third year Head Coach Terry Bowden received reinforcements for the upcoming 2023 season, as the ULM Warhawks added 32 early period signees.

Twelve junior college transfers headline the class and are matched with the same number of high school signees and eight portal signees make up the class.

Top rated prospect Lynard Harrris headlines the high school signees. The Rivals 3-star defensive back signs with the Warhawks after collecting offers from Mississippi State, Virginia, and Sun Belt Conference foes South Alabama and Southern Mississippi.

Jones County CC receiver Ashton Nickelberry stands out among the junior college signees. The 5’10 Brandon, Miss native posted eight TD receptions this season, helping the Bobcats post an 8-2 record, and Nickelberry a second-team All-MACCC football selection.

Headlining the portal signees is Thaddius Franklin, Jr. The former Rivals 250 and 4-star running back comes to Monroe, La after spending the past two seasons at Miami (FL). In his career with the Hurricanes, Franklin, Jr. saw action in 13 games, scoring seven TDs and rushing for 381 yards. Also of note is Ole Miss running back Isaiah Woullard who comes to ULM after five seasons with the Rebels. Woullard is the all-time leading rusher in Mississippi high school history with 8.294 yards.


Jay MickleNW MS CCOL
Matt WilliamsNW MS CCOL
Markell SmithJones JCOL
Jaylan WareHinds CCDL
John BarrSterlington HSWR
Price Nixon (PWO)Itawamba CCK/P
Azain BrownCisco CCDB
Jaterious EvansSFADB
Austin GoffneyLamarDB
Travor RandleJones JCDB
Antwone WattsAlbany StateSAF
Andre MackJones JCDB
Ra'shad OnezimeTrinity Valley CCDB
Marc BrittEMCCWR
Ashton NickelberryJones JCWR
Brady TillmanEast Coweta HSWR
Lynard HarrisDestrehan HSDB
Carmelo CrumpWarren Easton HSOL
Zach MooreSachse HSOL
Si StovallDenton Guyer HSTE
Blake MurphyAmerican Heritage HSQB
Zamarion WebberFranklin Senior HSRB
Immanuel HawkinsEuless Trinity HSDL
Shitez WilkersonTexas HSDB
Thaddius Franklin JrMiamiRB
Isaiah WoullardOle MissRB
Devante KeysIdahoDE
Andrew VolmarFIUCB
Joseph BackholeCoffeyville CCDE
Hunter HerringULLQB
Evan BlalockMobile Christian HSDB
La'Garrius SimsMobile Christian HSLB
Norman MasseyButler CCDB

My Amendment to the Transfer System

The current transfer portal system is out of balance and something needs to be done. I semi-understand that before the current system, the coaches & programs had the power imbalance and hey, "If the coaches can bail out on the players they recruit by leaving, why can't the players?" But now the imbalance is skewed toward the players and there needs to be some more restrictions to bring more of a true balance.

Right now, it's impossible for coaches & programs to build any continuity. While some players may have very legitimate reasons for leaving such as broken promises, unfair treatment, etc, there are a lot of players hopping in and out after a season or two and for reasons no more than not being gifted playing time. Signing day means nothing now.

Here are my proposed changes to create more balance. Curious to hear your thoughts.


1. If the head coach that signs a player leaves or gets fired, then the player may instant transfer, regardless of classification. That instant transfer is available until the end of the following athletic season (they can try a year with the new coaching staff and then make a decision if they'd like). It may only be used once.

2. A 3 year eligibility minimum before a player can instant transfer across or up divisions (just like the 3 year minimum before declaring for the draft)

3. The two above cannot be double-dipped, and a player that does one of the above previously is no longer eligible for grad transfer privileges

4. Walk-ons are exempt from transfer restrictions (they may have already been but just want to make that part clear)

5. Your opinion: should there be a penalty for dipping in the portal then coming back?

This way, you're granting the fairness of "if my coach goes, then I can go...but if he stays, then my commitment weighs just as much as his commitment". Now if after 3 years in the program it's just totally not what you expected as a player--an ample amount of time to evaluate things--then by all means explore your options and have up to two years of eligibility remaining.

Signing day and transfer portal decisions would mean more again.
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AD search

Here's the brief that I can share -

- narrowed the applicant down from the 15-ish that were presented
- 2 of the applicants are highly impressive and well rounded.
- wanting to try and find as well rounded of an individual are possible to ensure they can really build the program up - a comment was loosely made about the new AD didn't need to rebuild the program or fix things...they need to construct it from the ground up.

Not going into the specifics of who the candidates are - majority have compliance and fundraising experience.

Chase Rodriguez not feeling the love from WVU fans

SUNBELT Scores and Standings - 01/05

Louisiana - Monroe <> 47 - 37 - 84
Arkansas State
<> 36 - 36 - 72

Georgia Southern
<> 37 - 36 - 73
Coastal Carolina
<> 36 - 28 - 64

South Alabama
<> 30 - 28 - 58
Georgia State
<> 29 - 39 - 68

James Madison
<> 40 - 32 - 72
Marshall
<> 29 - 37 - 66

Louisiana - Lafayette
<> 24 - 42 - 66
Old Dominion
<> 38 - 32 - 70

Appalachian State
<> 33 - 29 - 62
Southern Mississippi
<> 30 - 38 - 68

Troy
<> 20 - 35 - 55
Texas State
<> 22 - 30 - 52

SUNBELT Scores and Standings - 01/05

Coastal Carolina <> 28 - 34 - 62
Appalachian State
<> 29 - 34 - 63
Final

Texas State
<> 27 - 36 - 63
James Madison
<> 27 - 35 - 62
Final

Old Dominion
<> 32 - 39 - 71
Troy
<> 38 - 40 - 78
Final

Marshall
<> 36 - 40 - 76
Georgia Southern
<> 48- 33 - 81
Final

Georgia State
<> 27 - 31 - 58
Louisiana - Monroe
<> 36 - 30 - 66
Final

Arkansas State
<> 18 - 27 - 45
South Alabama
<> 29 - 34 - 63
Final

Southern Mississippi
<> 23 - 38 - 61
Texas State
<> 37 - 38 - 75
Final

Think we are pessimistic?

I along with most everyone on this board are pretty pessimistic folks when it comes to ULM athletics I’m sure y’all will all agree. Out of curiosity and because our local NewsStar’s only has LSU articles , I was curious as to the folks down the road recruits, so I went to the bulldogs bark and bitch site to find out that they outdo even BOP when it comes to pessimism and whining. They had at last count 19 transfer to portal including their top receover and top defensive player and we’re talking about how bad their administration was as to the whole athletic program etc. which sounds so familiar to what we all believe about ours, which of course in our case is 100% true. Also if you go to the csn site the same moaning and groaning goes on on just about everyone but currently Southern Miss which seems to be enjoying a high what with their recent bowl win basketball 10-1, their fantastic baseball team etc. My point is we on here all obviously love our Warhawks and want the very best for all our teams, so that being said, I personally am go to root like hell for all the teams good, awful or indifferent as long as I am able. I’m an alum and booster for over 50 years and I am not going to give up on them!

SUNBELT Scores and Standings - 01/05

Coastal Carolina <> 28 - 34 - 62
Appalachian State
<> 29 - 34 - 63
Final

Georgia Southern
<> 37 - 36 - 73
Coastal Carolina
<> 36 - 28 - 64

South Alabama
<> 30 - 28 - 58
Georgia State
<> 29 - 39 - 68

James Madison
<> 40 - 32 - 72
Marshall
<> 29 - 37 - 66

Louisiana - Lafayette
<> 24 - 42 - 66
Old Dominion
<> 38 - 32 - 70

Appalachian State
<> 33 - 29 - 62
Southern Mississippi
<> 30 - 38 - 68

Troy
<> 20 - 35 - 55
Texas State
<> 22 - 30 - 52

ULM vs uLL Prediction

This is a game i feel we have a real chance at winning. No just being a homer here. New young coach that is still trying to find is way. I thought this was a decent spot to catch them if we got out of first 3 games healthy. We have played far superior talent. In a way we are playing down this week. On the flip side the three opponents they have played dont have near the skill positions we present. This will be the most speed Lafayette has seen all year by a wide margin. I believe we find ways to get our Wrs, Malik Jackson, Andrew Henry the ball in the open field. Lets also not overlook the job Vic Koenning is doing on defense. Under the radar and has been very good. We have limited the reigning Hesiman Trophy Winner and Highest Rated QB coming out of HS in past decade to 230 ypg and 3 ints. He will have the guys ready. Big start to conference.

ULM - 30
ULL -21
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