McNeese Football 2026
You’ve probably heard of the new NCAA college eligibility rule called five for five. Well I have come up with my own five for five — the five most critical questions facing the McNeese Cowboys for the 2026 football season.
If you have followed my columns in Lagniappe, you know all too well I can conjure up more than five questions on any topic in my sleep, but these are the five most important points that could very well steer the season for the Pokes.
No. 1: Will junior returning quarterback Jake Strong make a substantial leap in production and performance this season resulting in an improved passing attack?
No. 2: Can the offensive line gel with another round of new guys and help lead the Southland Conference in rushing for the second straight year?
No. 3: Will the defensive line find consistency and improve over last season with upwards of 11 new transfers in the mix?
No. 4: The defense intends to use a lot of man coverage on opposing receivers. Will the secondary hold up on those precarious islands and limit explosive plays downfield?
No. 5: Can the Cowboys carry over the momentum from last year’s 4-2 second half run and post the program’s first winning record since 2019?
Be patient; I will offer up my answers to these five questions at the end, so no jumping ahead.
The Big Picture
Viator 2.0 entering his second season back as head coach will be noteworthy in the rebuilding of this football program. He, GM Aaron Ingram and the staff have had a full off-season to evaluate the roster, the talent shortfalls and the most pressing needs, and to realign their recruiting base in Southeast Texas and along the I-10 corridor, install their full bore off season programs and, of course, dive into the transfer portal.
Viator says the trust and relationships between coaches and players were set over the off-season and spring drills, so once August camp opened a few weeks ago, there was no time for the touchy-feely (my words, not Viator’s) emotions of the game; it was full speed ahead on football, technique and execution. “There is no more backing up and explaining this is why we are doing this and this is why we are doing this. You have to trust us, and this is going to help us. They believe that and I certainly believe in them. So this allows you to just go to work.”
And work they did. No time to waste during these dog days of August, as there is no soft stepping into the season. Defending SLC champion, playoff team and preseason conference favorite Stephen F. Austin is coming to Lake Charles to open the season Aug. 29. It’s a strange and unwelcome way to open a new season with a league game against the top team, but it’s the byproduct of going to a 12-game schedule and the Southland changing to a nine-game conference schedule. I guess McNeese just drew the short straw and up came the Lumberjacks.
To alter last year’s 34-17 loss at SFA, Viator knows he needs a better, bigger, stronger and more talented football team. This 2026 version appears to check off all those boxes.
“We look a lot more of what I want a football team to look like. When you look at our O-line and D-line. For me that’s the number one concern. This is an O-line, D-line league,” says Viator.
“Where most of our conference is situated, you should be able to recruit skill guys. This is an O-line, D-line league, and to me, it’s not a secret why SFA won last year. They were the best on the O-line and D-line, and Southeastern was second best on the O-line and D-line.”
Viator hammered that point home at every turn, and clearly, he and Ingram beefed up the trenches with numbers, upgraded talent, and players with experience and more game snaps so they are combat ready.
“I think we are closer to where I want to be on the lines, and overall, I think we have better team speed also than what we had last year. It (team speed) was always a staple of our teams at McNeese. Even when we played FBS teams. When we lined up, we always felt we could run with them,” Viator said.
Over the past five years it seemed opposing receivers and running backs raced by Blue and Gold defenders at will. That hasn’t eluded Viator’s view by any means, and he addressed the speed issue in the portal and doubled down on depth.
“I think we are better with speed and hopefully we have better depth on the O line and D line. One of my goals this year was to have better depth in the secondary than what we had last year because how the game is now,” Viator explained.
Coach V’s reference to the way the game is played now is more up tempo passing, four and five receivers, more motion, tight ends seeking mismatches against smaller safeties, run-pass options, play action and more mobile quarterbacks able to pass or run off designed plays. The Cowboys offense tried to do most of that during Strong’s first year as a starter in 2025 with mixed results.
Strong and Viator both believe the offense and, in particular, the passing game will improve this season because it’s the second year in the system, which should mean more comfort, confidence and recognition of opportunities downfield.
“The biggest thing is we have to be more efficient,” Viator emphasized. “We missed things last year. I thought we had things we didn’t hit (receivers downfield); we didn’t hit them at the right time. I go back to the Rio Grande game (a 28-13 loss at home) with all the misses we had in the red zone. I think it’s a matter of reps, guys having confidence to go make the plays. As soon as the season was over, we walked off the field we knew we have to be more efficient in the passing game. We absolutely knew that.”
One of the mantras you hear surrounding this season is “Cowboy Tough.” I’ve heard many of the assistant coaches shouting during morning practices,” be better football players and “make football plays.” Of course, I’ve cleaned it up to a PG rating, but you get the idea.
There was a passing drill play early in camp when a receiver missed a contested pass because of the physical and aggressive play by the defensive back. The receiver went to the sideline kicking, screaming and disgusted with himself for missing the pass. That’s the competitive mentality — the make-the-play mindset and a higher standard of player accountability this team needs.
An amped up sense of urgency would not hurt, either, with an early schedule gauntlet that includes SFA, Tarleton State and UT-Rio Grande. All before McNeese goes to Death Valley to face Top 15 ranked LSU on Oct. 3.
Viator is hoping his locker room, with nearly half the roster being new blood, will come together as a unified team quickly. To achieve that chemistry and single-mindedness, they will need more player leadership and calls for accountability from veterans like senior safety Javon Davis, senior linebackers Landon Barrett and Emauri Sibley, senior RB Tre’Vonte Citizen, and older guys like offensive lineman Eric Aschenbeck and Lake Charles native tight end Reed Boyd.
And of course, Jake Strong from his quarterback position must become the Cowboys’ vocal leader on and off the field. If McNeese wants to prove the SLC preseason poll wrong (they were picked to finish sixth) Strong has to have a much stronger season than 2025. It starts with no. 4.
So, We Begin With Quarterbacks
Strong is the clear QB1 in camp, but Devin Lippold will keep the pressure on so no one gets too comfortable. Remember, Lippold subbed for Strong, who was sidelined with an injury, and the Cowboys upset a playoff bound Lamar team on the road in the season finale.
Strong welcomes the competition, which he knows makes him better every day and, in turn, improves the team’s play. The junior from Justin, Texas, looks, sounds and carries himself like a no. 1 quarterback. More importantly, he readily takes on the key role of team leader.
“The responsibility I feel as the quarterback of the team, everything starts with me. From the way we approach the field, set on the field, the energy level. Everything starts with me. Coach Bolfing (offensive coordinator Tyler Bolfing) tells us all the time the toughest part about the standard is the quarterback is the standard, and that goes for all the quarterbacks in the room,” says Strong.
The work being done in the film room and on the practice field lays the groundwork for what needs to happen under the lights this fall; which is a huge improvement in passing the football. Strong, who started and played in every game minus the season finale against Lamar due to injury, averaged a scant 185 yards passing per game with only a 59-percent completion rate. His 13 interceptions led the league, which is one stat no quarterbacks want to own.
Most quarterbacks make a sizeable jump in execution and production from year one to the second season. Strong leans in on that, saying more reps in the offense, better communication and understanding expectations with Bolfing and add in better weapons and options in receivers, all goes into having a robust passing game instead of it being a bust.
Don’t judge the progress of the passing game from the first team scrimmage, where it was choppy at best. There were dropped passes, mis-timed throws that ended up being batted away. Both Strong and Lippold did have impressive touchdown tosses in the endzone as personal highlights in the first scrimmage.
The second scrimmage really showed Strong’s potential, with downfield strikes and better accuracy over the middle and with endzone scoring passes.
“Jake is the guy right now, but Devin has definitely proven that he is right there, as well,” Viator explained after both had better passing moments in the second scrimmage.
Bolfing, entering his second year as offensive coordinator, doesn’t have a specific number as a goal for passing yards per game. He says the yards through the air will increase once the completion percentage gets better. That’s what they mean by improved efficiency, and Bolfing does have a number he wants to hit when it comes to pass connections.
“The numbers will naturally come, I believe, when we are throwing and catching the ball and we are completing passes. Don’t have a specific number in terms of yardage, but more specifically for completion percentage up north of 65 percent and try to be really efficient throwing the ball.”
Strong says it’s pretty simple really. Take what the defense offers up sometimes; don’t get greedy, which leads to picks; and make the easy play to move the chains. “It’s a mindset of ‘I don’t have to be perfect.’ If you are a golf guy, just make par. The birdies will come, just make par. Come out here do my job, execute what I’m supposed to do every single play, and let each play have a life and death of its own. The last play can’t effect the next play, be it good or bad,” as Strong explains his position philosophy.
Those “par plays,” as Strong said, will come when he stops forcing the ball into traffic and giving the defense easy turnovers. A few of the interceptions came off tipped balls or receivers not completing the routes cleanly. He has to recognize when a play is not there and just live for the next down instead of trying to make something happen when nothing is there.
Admittedly his receivers have to help him by getting separation, finding open spots in the coverage and making more contested catches. All that goes hand in hand with a quarterback’s success.
Ironicall, Strong, who transferred in from Texas Tech before the 2025 season, is the only returning starting quarterback in the Southland this year. He is about to turn 23 years old and says his maturity, learning the position better, and a compounded number of reps and snaps will all make him a better quarterback. The continuity at the most important position on the field and Strong’s determination to “move up to the next level” as a QB1 tells me this offense will play better.
Last season, the offense saw a nice spark around mid-year, when Strong was given the green light to run the ball more, be it with designed plays or when things broke down. He was the team’s third-leading rusher with 469 yards and a 4-yard-per-carry average while scoring seven touchdowns with his legs. He looked comfortable running and was darn good at it.
At 6 feet, two inches and 215 pounds, Strong is sturdy enough and willing to take some hits. “I did what I had to last year because that’s what they asked me to do. I will run the football. I have no problem doing that. I’m very capable of it as everyone has seen, but I would rather show the love to everyone else.”
For Strong, that means finding receivers downfield or handing off to the running backs and let all those weapons he speaks so highly of show off their skills. “We have a great surrounding cast around me from the five up front, the running backs in the backfield and the receivers on the perimeter.”
The passing attack really has nowhere else to go but up. McNeese finished eighth out of 10 teams in overall passing in the conference, just ahead of lowly Houston Christian and Northwestern State. It’s part of the offense that Viator and Bolfing take very personally, and they are putting max brain power on it.
Strong takes his leadership responsibility to heart by getting to know all the players personally and not just by name. He works the room, so to speak, to build bonds, friendships and trust, because he knows that’s where winning and success begins. “This is probably the closest group of guys I’ve been with maybe ever and that speaks very highly of the kind of people they are, the character they have and the culture we have.”
Offensive Line: Where The Big Boys Eat
As far as sheer numbers, McNeese’s offensive line appears to be in very good shape. Nineteen linemen are getting reps in camp, with seven of them being new to the unit this season. Over a long 12-game season you need a lot of big bodies ready to play.
That brings a smile to Bolfing who knows his offense begins and ends up front. “The depth is the best it’s been since I’ve been here. We have quality depth across the board. Obviously, those boys like to lean on people, and you saw how we started running the football late in the first scrimmage. They are competing very well right now and they are really good dudes pushing each other every day.”
Their pass blocking is okay and getting better, according to Bolfing, who says this offense won’t be throwing the ball 50 times a game, so this O Line is built the way they need it to be. That includes size, agility and experience.
Part of that experience belongs to senior tackle Eric Aschenbeck, who is one of the key leaders. He has been down this road before with working in new linemen to an established system and says it can work with enough time and everyone buying into the Cowboy way.
“As long as you have a core group of guys that are leaders and show the young guys and newcomers the way it’s supposed to be run, then it can be very adaptable for everyone,” noted Aschenbeck.
The Cowboys led the SLC in rushing last season, averaging 200 yards per game. It was run by committee with an add-on and over 400 yards chipped in from QB Strong. Aschenbeck says the O-line sees it as a badge of honor leading the league in rushing but smiled when dishing out where the credit should go. “We give all the glory to the running backs. We are just here to our jobs and make the pretty boys look pretty.”
The O-line depth chart wasn’t set in stone by Lagniappe’s press deadline, but rest assured the starting unit will be heavy with juniors and seniors. One of those seniors vying for a starting job is transfer Blake Perry, who comes in from Keiser University — an NAIA small school in South Florida.
Viator and Ingram like his size, abilities and experience. “I was a two-year starter at Keiser, and we went to two NAIA national championship games. I was playing 15 games a year with 1,200 snaps the last two years. I’ve played a lot of football and definitely understand the game, and that brings a lot to the offensive line,” Perry said.
The 6-foot, 4-inch, 325-pounder is versatile and can swing from guard to center when needed. He hasn’t had a problem moving up the football ladder from NAIA to FCS, but he admitted he coasted most of the regular seasons at the lower level until Keiser hit the playoffs, and then it got serious.
Perry said the talent and competitiveness took a major jump in the NAIA once they got down to the best of the best. He knows there will be another jump once the season begins, in particular with McNeese’s schedule and the opener against SFA.
Sixteen of the 19 offensive linemen in camp are listed at 300 pounds or higher. XXXL size and weight e check one box, but there also has to be strength, technique, speed and footwork. This unit should make an improvement leap of their own, and it will be needed for the Cowboys to stay relevant in the SLC race.
Running Backs: Heart Of The Offense
Viator and Bolfing have said getting the passing game on track is the offense’s primary goal this season. But deep down, I suspect they both know the ground game will be their bread and butter. That was the case last season, and I expect the same this fall.
The Cowboys led the conference in rushing, averaging 200 yards per game with a collection of runners all under 600 yards total. Colby Hamm and Bryce Strong are gone, so the run load will fall on seniors Tre’Vonte Citizen and senior transfer Omiri Wiggins, who came south from La. Tech. Freshman Marquez Davis has impressed Viator through his redshirt season and beyond with his power and elusiveness.
Another intriguing option is Hutch Swilley, a 5-foot, 11-inch, 205-pound sophomore transfer from ULL. He is making plays and putting up yards in practice sessions and over the two scrimmages. He’s a low-to-the-ground runner who can break tackles inside and find seams on the outside.
Freshman Colin Fabacher, another Lafayette product, got some carries in the first scrimmage as well. But the bulk of the work will fall on Citizen, Wiggins, Davis and Swilley, in that order.
McNeese has used a run-by-committee approach for several years now, lacking that go-to 1,000-yard runner. That can work if you have the depth to shuttle guys in and out.
I see that happening again this season. Citizen looks to be completely healthy and in the best shape since transferring back home from Miami. He averaged nearly six yards per carry last season off 85 attempts for 503 yards over 12 games. His stats are skewed a bit because of a 79-yard TD run in that one-point loss to Weber State, and he has been stuck at the 50-yards-per-game average since becoming a Cowboy.
There are reasons for that, ranging from injury, his own head space, focus, motivation and roster competition.
This is Citizen’s last collegiate season and his last chance finally live up to all the hype of being a four-star recruit to a Power Four program. The opportunity to carry the Cowboys ground game is there. It’s up to Citizen to take the ball and run with it. He says he will do whatever the offense needs from him and then some.
That’s a good start.
As this offense has done over the past few seasons, the carries will be spread out. Wiggins is a hard-running, shifty player who uses a powerful 5-foot, 10-inch, 210-pound frame to break tackles for extra yards after contact.
Wiggins and Swilley have not been used in short passing situations, but I expect that to come. Viator doesn’t hold back his praise for all four of his top running backs.
“I’ve been saying it all along how impressed I am with Omiri Wiggins and Hutch. I’m really impressed, and they practice that way every day (hard, physical running). We are excited about them. Tre’Vonte is Tre’Vonte, and we felt really strongly about Davis last year coming off his redshirt year.”
Bolfing is seeking a more balanced run/pass offense compared to last season, when they leaned on the more effective ground game with 480 carries against 328 pass attempts. He sounds more convinced a couple of weeks into camp that his stable of running backs will shoulder their end compared to the receivers.
“That’s the beauty of that room right now. There’s a lot of depth between Wiggins, T.C. and Hutch, and Marquez had some really good runs. I’m excited about that room. There’s legitimate competition across the board, and those guys are pushing each other to get better and competing for reps,” Bolfing said after the first scrimmage.
Receivers And Tight Ends: Need To Step Up
McNeese’s offensive brain trust between Viator and Bolfing are sounding the same refrain … the passing game must improve. The quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends are saying the same thing. So, all parties are on the same page but only time and better execution will tell if the objective will have success this season.
The Cowboys were near the bottom of the SLC in passing with a skimpy 185 yards per game, only 12 touchdowns through the air and under 7 yards gained on average per throw. That’s akin to 1980s college football passing stats. McNeese needs to make some generational jumps into the modern offensive game — and in a hurry.
In 2025, the Jake Strong-led offense averaged a respectable 379 yards per game but a low 23 points on the board. The problems were spread across the entire offense. Breakdowns in pass protection from the O-line; slow, late and bad decision making at times from Strong, not finding or connecting with the right receivers at the right time; and the receivers’ inability to find separation and get open and then catch the ball consistently. There were a ton of missed scoring opportunities in the Red Zone that drove both Viator and Bolfing crazy.
So, the problems are clearly identified going back to last year. That’s the easy part. Finding the solutions and how to fix it won’t be. To help that cause, Viator hired one of his former receivers back from his UL-Monroe coaching days in Xavier Brown, who was coaching high school football in Duncanville, Texas.
I’ve been hard on and critical of the McNeese receiving position group as a whole for upwards of six years now. I think my sour opinion has been warranted one way or another. It’s not that the various coaches since 2020 have not tried to find receiving talent. Unfortunately, it’s been hit and miss, and obviously more misses, through recruiting or transfers. Brown says he is not looking backwards and is challenging his guys to “be the best at getting better.”
“Let’s get better every day. Let’s just find something that we can grow on whether it’s our releases, catching the ball, blocking. We put last year in the past and get better day by day,” preached Brown.
The top three receivers from last season are gone. Logan Mauldin (27 catches), Jonathan Harris (25) and Josh Jackson (20 receptions) led the Cowboys in total catches, receiving yards and touchdowns. Compared to the top passing and receiving teams in the conference, these numbers are paltry. This unit needs to make Super Man-type leaps to move up the league ladder.
“We have what we need to win big football games (receivers room). We have what’s needed to be a top team in this conference,” said a confident Brown.
One of several new assistant coaches on this staff, Brown is a vocal, hands-on coach. This is his opportunity to make an impact with a position group that has been lacking. He coaches them hard, whether they like it or not.
“They have no choice,” chuckled Brown. “They are taking it well and love it, actually. If I’m not on them, they get worried and say ‘Hey, coach what’s going on?’ When we both have a great understanding, the only way is up.”
GM Aaron Ingram bought in seven new receivers via the portal to go with leading returning receivers Kameran Senegal (23 catches, 1 TD) and Makhi Paris (13 receptions, 0 TD). Six of the newcomers are 6 feet or taller, which was needed, because the majority of the receivers were, as we say, vertically challenged.
Size does matter when you are battling defensive backs for contested balls over the middle or downfield. Bigger receivers also give the quarterback better targets in traffic, which was the case with tight end Mauldin and wideout Jackson, both 6 feet, three inches or taller, in 2025.
The receivers room is crowded with 18 guys, and a lot of reps have been used to find the top six or seven players that will lead the depth chart and begin the task of finding the best timing and rhythm with the quarterbacks.
“There is going to be a separation, because obviously we have to start repping one group of receivers with the quarterback and another quarterback with the second group of receivers to develop more consistency. I like our receivers. I like where we are at, and we are moving in the right direction,” Bolfing shared with me after the first August scrimmage.
Senior transfer Smiley Edwards, one of those bigger 6-foot, 2-inch, 200-pound receivers, impressed the coaching staff in spring and that continues this camp. He is moving up from NAIA Keiser University to FCS and has been working hard to get back the upper level. “I’m definitely ready to be back up here (Division 1-A) because before Keiser I was at Charlotte. I think my body is ready for what comes with it,” Edwards vowed.
Experience and game snaps was a top priority for Ingram during this transfer portal cycle. Edwards checked that box and he says those on the field reps is critical for success. “You know the game speed better. I already know that the other players are bigger and stronger. I can grasp the playbook better and faster.” Sounds like small details, but winning is in the details. And players like Edwards and fellow seniors Senegal and Nicholls State transfer Solo Lewis need to lead this unit and mentor others.
Junior Curtis Deville of Iowa Yellow Jacket fame is still waiting on a breakout season free from injury. He has dropped close to 20 pounds and improved his speed up to 22 mph on straight sprints, according to coach Brown. That added speed and tougher mentality came through in the second scrimmage, where Deville was impressive with two long receptions and over 100 yards.
“We have a lot of playmakers on this team. We are all ready to make that drastic step to catch a lot more passes. More contested passes because the name of the game is catching the ball and we are ready to show we are way better than we were last year,” said a hopeful Edwards.
Senior Reed Boyd from Lake Charles (Barbe High) is top returning tight end with a posse of young sophomores and freshmen behind him. Keep an eye on two big tight end targets this season in sophomore 6-foot, 7-inch, 237-pound Trevon Bradford, the younger brother of former Cowboys defensive end Phillip Bradford, and freshman 6-foot, 4-inch, 233-pound Ikenna Nwobu.
What this unit may lack in experience and stats they make up with size, ranging from 6 feet, 4 inches to six feet, 7 inches.”.
Defensive Line: Numbers And Depth
You can’t begin any discussion of the defensive line without first noting there are 10 new D-linemen on the roster. It’s probably the largest position unit overhaul on the team. Ingram was up late at night over the off-season searching for new wide bodies who can not only stop the run but pressure opposing quarterbacks.
The D-line is replacing the entire starting unit and then some from last season. The biggest voids to fill were manned by ends Phillip Bradford, Masey Lewis and A.J. Thomas. The two inside tackle spots are open and up for grabs, as well.
The front seven allowed 190 yards rushing last season, so I would suspect the defensive coaches want to see that number significantly lowered and the number of sacks, QB hurries and tackles for loss increased.
Fifth-year defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro is one of the elder statesmen on this coaching staff as a holdover from the Gary Goff tenure. That means the bulk of the defensive scheme will stay the same, even though many faces will change.
“When we hit the portal, we went after experience more than anything else, and it’s showing in camp. They understand the game which makes it easier to teach. We’re not starting from ground level,” Pecoraro said.
One of the new interior defensive linemen is no. 99 Isaiah Fowler, a transfer from Valparaiso in Indiana. At 6 feet and 285 pounds, he doesn’t wow you with his size. He makes up for that with a high motor, inside strength and leverage and intense competitiveness.
“I have to work 10 times harder than anybody else out here. Got to get extensions and do extra work on the side to put me in the position to be that guy. Someone who the coaches can depend on and be the guy that proves a lot of people wrong, because a lot of people doubt me because of my size.”
Fowler got some interest while in the portal from Stephen F. Austin but ended up at McNeese. (He says the opener against SFA will have extra incentive for him.) The Gary, Ind., native was a little wide-eyed after his arrival on campus. He’d never had a facility with three grass practice fields or played in a stadium the size of McNeese. He is one of those “culture” players that brings it every day and helps this defense and team band together.
“Every day, we get closer and become closer as brothers. We bang heads a little bit and get closer afterwards. Every day, I am gaining brothers,” gushed Fowler.
The first scrimmage saw defensive end Sean Dubose and RJ Staten stand out with sacks and QB pressure. They will be part of a D-line that could go eight to nine deep.
A key transfer that will play a huge role is senior defensive end Royce Maloles. He didn’t have to go very far after transferring in from Lamar. At 6 feet, two inches and 250 pounds, Maloles was an archrival of the Cowboys but happy to jump the fence.
“The team camaraderie we had at Lamar — I see it a lot here at McNeese. We are brothers over here. One of us butts heads with an offensive player, then we all butt heads. It good to see the culture build here,” Maloles told me after one scorching hot morning practice.
Lamar had the third-best defense in the conference last season, and Maloles saw firsthand the role the defensive line played in their success and playoff appearance.
“Playing with elite defenders over there — it taught me a lot about the game. The O-Line and D-Line really makes the difference in the games and it starts up front. Without us the standard is not there.”
With all these new defensive linemen in camp, Coach Pec would be more worried if they just arrived in time for August camp, but that’s not the case. “Because most of the guys came in January, they already went through spring and summer together and now the fall; so it’s a huge advantage they did that. This is the deepest we’ve been from all levels. I think we could have 22 to 25 guys play a game. Our defensive line is doing a really good job in rushing the passer. I love our effort and attitude.”
The D-line play, forced turnovers and tackles for loss were all huge reasons for the late season wins. The D-line found a star in Bradford (two INTS and a pick six), but he left in the portal. Replacing his productivity and disruption at the line will be a priority either with one player or several from the roster depth.
Win the line of scrimmage, backfield penetration, forcing the quarterback off his mark and disrupting plays are keys for the defensive front if this team expects any success in 2026.
Linebackers: Solid Twosome
The Cowboys defense was hurt by the transfer, in particular on the defensive line, as noted earlier, but the second level returns some key players. Two among them are starting senior linebackers Landon Barrett and Emauri Sibley.
Not only does the defense retain their leadership and experience, but they were also the team’s second and third top tacklers from a season ago. You win games by tackling and blocking, where production can be quantified and tracked. Barrett totaled 71 tackles (combined solo and assisted), three sacks, nearly eight tackles for lost yardage, started in all 11 games he played and collected 10 or more tackles in two games.
“Me and Sib are leaders of this defense. We have to lead by example and set the standard. We are all in this year (both are outgoing seniors) and trying to make everyone around us better,” Barrett said.
Sibley, a tough 6-foot 225-pounder with power and speed, was third last season with 60 combined tackles and had his best game against the best competition. In the loss to league champ SFA, Sibley was a menace to the Lumberjacks, with nine stops and two tackles behind the line of scrimmage. You want your best players raising their games against elite opponents and Sibley needs to do that again this season.
In McNeese’s 4-2-5 defensive scheme, linebackers are supposed to make a lot of tackles. It’s designed that way, for the most part. The front defenders take on blockers, leaving the linebackers and safeties free from straight-on blocks to attack the ball.
“Everything spills outside, the ball jumps outside, and everyone rallies to the ball,” explained Barrett. That’s why defensive team speed is so important in this scheme.
Barrett and Sibley are poised to have productive senior seasons, especially if the defensive line comes together and plays up to their potential.
Defensive Secondary: Strength Of The Team?
I can make an argument that the defensive backfield could be the strength of the team. At times during August practices and the two scrimmages, they sure looked like it. The secondary returns at least three starters and three to four more players who saw significant action last season. That experience and feel for the game will be huge, especially against a difficult September schedule that includes not only SFA, but Tarleton State and conference contender Rio Grande Valley.
“We probably go three deep in some areas in the secondary, which is good for us. We can keep them fresh and rotated,” said defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro.
After the first scrimmage, Viator quipped that part of the offense’s problems passing the ball in camp is because “we are pretty good on the back end.”
That back end will be led by senior safety Javon Davis, a veteran Cowboy who has been entrenched in this defense. Also, there’s former Utah State transfer cornerback Mason Edwards, who was the defense’s best cover corner last season.
For the secondary to lead this defense, it will depend heavily on their ability to play man to man coverage on the perimeter. The problem with covering man on man is any breakdown or misstep could result in a long gain or worse a quick touchdown. That’s where experience should help to minimize.
“We have Mason, who started every game at corner and Dubose (ULL transfer Lorenzell Dubose) coming in who played a ton of football at UL. We have two experienced players there,” Pecoraro pointed out.
Any defense hates giving up explosive chunk plays, but in today’s up-tempo four- and five-receiver schemes, they are bound to happen. You have to minimize them as much as possible and protect against quick-scoring strikes.
“On the backend, we have confidence we can play man-to-man coverage, because that’s what we are here for,” pledged Edwards. “We are here to make plays and they (the coaches) trust us. They trust us to be on that island and we have to take that trust and build it upon ourselves.”
The measurables are critical in most position groups, and the secondary is no exception. Size, speed, footwork and technique are all needed at high levels to be effective. Sophomore safety Cohen Charles, from Iowa High, says this group checks a lot of those boxes with good depth as well.
“We have bigger guys (17 defensive backs are 6 feet or taller and range from 185 to 200 pounds) that can run 20 to 21 mph. Way faster with more length than last year,” says Charles. “If I need a break, someone else is coming in. If he needs a break, next guy up with no fall-off. Being three deep is amazing.”
Coach Pec will rotate his defensive backs freely, depending on that depth to keep legs fresh and find the best matchup against specific receivers. Look for a few of the new transfers to be in the mix, including senior cornerback DuBose from U.L.L., junior safety Amyrion Mingo, most recently from Arkansas Pine Bluff, and Erick Franklin (Butler Jr. College) and Southern Miss transfer Sentario Willis
Davis and his safety running mate Jermaine Hargraves will be the constants in this secondary and proven ball hawks.
Every steaming hot practice, every detailed film session and every position group meeting means an opportunity to get better and, according to Edwards, his secondary mates are not wasting any time in trying to improve.
“We attack every day. Take it one day at time, and work to get one percent better every day. Iron sharpens iron and we are working every day. We are a more complete football team. Unselfish. We like to play as a team, and we understand each other’s roles.”
Special Teams: Leg Men
There is a camp battle going on for the open place kicking job, and it won’t be easy to follow in the big shoes left by the oversized Fabrizio Pinton.
Returning junior kicker Deaglan Camron and freshman Brettson Booker have a close race for the field goal duties. Both converted all their kicks in the first scrimmage.
Camron was impressive, making three attempts from 41 and 29 yards, with his most impressive kick being from 50 yards. Booker converted a 39-yard field goal, so as a whole they were four for four.
Camron, who appears to be half the size of Pinton, has a strong leg and shows good accuracy. He should win the place kicking job with a solid camp and returning experience.
Returning punter George Dixon is an Aussie kicker who rotated in with Pinton last season, averaging 39 yards per punt. Not bad, but I would think the staff would like to see that average get near 44 to 45 yards per attempt.
The only kickoff or punt returner with any game experience coming back is receiver Kameran Senegal, who averaged a bit under 18 yards on his kickoff return duties. That and punt return has been going through a rotation of skill players to see who gets the nod before the season opener.
I promised you answers to those five most pressing questions for the Cowboys and the 2026 season.
When it comes to QB Jake Strong, there has to be improvement with passing accuracy, better decision making and reading defensive coverages.
I think you will see Strong finding the right receivers on time with more catchable balls. More comfort now in his second year in the system should help Strong on all levels. He is an effective runner, as well, so expect Bolfing to call his number when needed.
The SFA defense will posed a huge challenge right out of the gate. If the offense begins to derail early on, Lippold may not be on the sideline for long.
I see the offensive line making strides in pass protection (more is needed, though), but this is still a run-first offense. The Cowboys led the league in rushing because they were pretty good on the ground, but they had to be because the passing game was so lacking.
The O-line will probably have three new starters supported by a deeper bench. One key will be what role and how well seniors Aaron Session and Elijah Melendez can play coming off last year’s season-ending injuries.
The line will be stressed by some very good defensive fronts at SFA, Southeastern, Lamar and UIW, along with Tarleton State. And, by the way, LSU has a few big studs on defense to deal with, as well.
If numbers and bodies were the most important thing on the defensive line, McNeese will be in good shape. Let’s not forget about talent and physicality. They are important, too, and will ultimately decide how this reloaded defensive line performs. There is a huge gap between just pretty good and being great. The Cowboys will need two or three big men on the D-line to make that leap to greatness if they want to compete and beat the upper-tier teams of the conference.
A major part of McNeese’s DWA (defense with attitude) is man-to-man coverage in the defensive backfield. You have to have talented cover guys, both cornerbacks and some safeties, who play with precise technique and physical traits to match up with receivers at the line of scrimmage and downfield.
Over the past few years, the secondary has allowed way too many explosive, big-yardage plays. Viator and Pecoraro intend to play a high percentage of man coverage, and they think the talent is there to do that. I would tread lightly into man defense, depending on what the receiver matchups look like week to week and the style of offense. Some of the defensive game plan will depend on how much pressure they can assert on the quarterback from the defensive line and linebackers.
McNeese won four of their last six games last season to finish 5-7. That was then. This is now. Momentum is a tricky thing in sports. I buy into it during a season but not so much from year to year. Players and coaches change. So does the locker room, team chemistry, vibe and leadership. All that can actually be better, and it needs to be if this program wants to post its first winning record since 2019 (yes, it’s been that long).
Three of those four wins last year were against the bottom feeders in the SLC (HCU, East Texas and NW State), but the season-ending victory over a ranked Lamar team in Beaumont was legit. A confidence boost that will have some holdover to this season.
If the Pokes can secure a win over either SFA or Tarleton State at home and beat a favored SLC opponent like Rio Grande, Southeastern Louisiana or Lamar and not fall flat against, say, UIW or Nicholls, then I see a path toward six or seven wins.
It’s not the conference championship run or playoff berth the fans so desperately want. But it would show the program rebuild has finally progressed and Cowboy Tough is not just a slogan or some rah-rah cheer.
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