Early signing plans delayed for star metro area seniors ‘Pooka’ Willians, Julien Gums

The early signing period for football kicks off Wednesday, and it appears that two of the most notable prospects from metro New Orleans will not be part of it.

A source indicates Hahnville’s Pooka Williams, the CrescentCitySports.com and Friday Night Football player of the year, will wait to sign his national letter.

Williams will not sign with the school to which he has been committed, the University of Kansas.

“Kansas is out,” said the source.

LSU continues to be clubhouse leader for Williams, who totaled 3,694 all purpose yards and 40 touchdowns.

Williams still has some academic progress to make before he is eligible.

De la Salle quarterback Julien Gums, who led the Cavaliers to the Division II championship game for the school’s first finals appearance since 1961, will not sign early either, according to head coach Ryan Manale.

Gums, a Nicholls State commitment who projects as a running back on the next level, will wait to February to sign.

“He still has not taken his official visit to Nicholls,” Manale said on Friday.

Despite his stellar season, Gums didn’t generate much buzz on the recruiting trail. However, by not signing early, Gums leaves the door open to possible FBS offers.

Three of Manale’s Cavaliers will sign Wednesday including safety Lance Robinson (Kansas State), defensive tackle Jamiran James (Tulane) and his brother, offensive lineman Jeremiah James (Nicholls).

Landry Walker’s signing day ceremony will commence Wednesday at 9 a.m. when many will want to see what wide receiver Devante Jason does. He has LSU, Florida State, and Mississippi State as his final three but the Tigers appear to have cooled on Jason.

Corione Harris, a safety, will choose between Kansas, Texas and Mississippi State.

STAYING BAYOU: One of the more curious developments of the past week was Nicholls head coach Tim Rebowe’s omission from the search for a new football coach at Louisiana-Lafayette.

An assistant there for 11 years before taking over Nicholls, Rebowe took over an 0-12 team after the 2014 season. In 2017, his third season, he coached the Colonels to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Meanwhile, Louisiana-Lafayette has hired Billy Napier, who served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arizona State, as its new head coach.

Napier has a very solid resume, including five seasons as wide receivers coach at the University of Alabama under Nick Saban.

Expect Nicholls to sweeten Rebowe’s current contract. He and his staff have made college football on the bayou fun again.

The Colonels had last reached the postseason in 2005.

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