32 offensive linemen named to McNeese’s All-75th Anniversary Team

LAKE CHARLES – The revealing of McNeese’s All-75th Anniversary team to commemorate the 75th year of football continues with a look at the All-Offensive Lineman team, a unit that features 32 players that have achieved all-conference or all-American status, went on to play professionally as well as some who are the best to play in the Gulf States or Southland Conference.

The 75th Anniversary team is selected from players who have earned all-conference or all-America honors, a member of the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame, or record holders during their career.

Since the 2018 season is the 75th anniversary of McNeese football, current players will be eligible to be added to the list at the conclusion of the season.

McNeese Football All-75th Anniversary Team – Offensive Line (Alphabetical Order)

Arinze Agada (2010-13) – 2013 All-American (Associated Press, STATS, College Sports Madness, Beyond Sports Network)… two-time first team All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana… named the SLC Offensive Lineman of the Year for 2013… two-time SLC All-Academic… 2013 FCS ADA Academic All-American… team captain… helped the Cowboys post a 10-win season in 2013 and a spot in the second round of the FCS playoffs.

Calvin Billings (1951-53) – All-Gulf States Conference center… 1953 team captain… anchor on the offensive line that was one of the best in the conference… one of only five offensive linemen in school history to be named the team’s MVP when he was awarded the honor in 1953.

Marsh Buice (1992-95) – 1995 All-American (STATS, Don Hansen’s Football)… All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana honors… team captain… won two SLC championships (1993, 1995) and appeared in four playoffs, advancing to the 1995 semifinals… the 1995 team was ranked No. 1 for most of the season and racked up a 13-0 record before falling to Marshall in the semifinals… team posted a 42-11 record in his four seasons, including 23-2 mark in conference games.

Ronald Cherry (1992-94) – 1994 Consensus All-American (AP, Water Camp, AFCA, STATS, Don Hansen’s Football)… All-SLC and All-Louisiana honors… team captain… member of the Southland Conference All-Decade Team of the 1990s… part of an offensive line that allowed just 11 sacks in 13 games in 1994… won a conference championship in 1993 and played in three playoff brackets… helped the Cowboys win their first-ever playoff game in 1992… transferred to McNeese after playing his freshman year at Southern… also threw the shot put for the Cowboys where he scored points at the conference meet… drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 1995 NFL Draft.

Lonnie Collins (1979-82) – Three-time first team All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana selection… member of the Cowboys’ 1979 and 1980 SLC championship teams that played in the Independence Bowl… named the team’s outstanding offensive lineman… SLC All-Academic… member of the Southland Conference All-Decade Team of the 1980s… inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.

Gerald Conner (1961-64) – A standout center and linebacker for the Cowboys who played both ways… member of the 1963 team that posted the program’s first-ever undefeated season… earned All-GSC honors as both a center and linebacker… 1964 team MVP, making him one of just two centers to ever garner the award and one of five offensive linemen in program history… 1963 and 1964 team captain… inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.

Jason Davis (1999-02) – 2002 Consensus All-American (AP, Walter Camp, STATS, Don Hansen’s Football)… All-SLC and All-Louisiana honors… won back-to-back SLC championships (2001 and 2002) and helped lead the Cowboys to the 2002 national title game… played in three FCS playoff brackets (2000, 2001, 2002)… member of the Southland Conference All-Decade Team of the 2000s.

Jim Downing (1978-79) – First team All-SLC… two-time first-team Google Cloud Academic All-American (1978, 1979) in McNeese Football history… two-time Google Cloud Academic All-District… two-time SLC All-Academic… won a conference championship and played in the 1979 Independence Bowl.

Antoine Everett (2011-14) – 2014 All- American (AP, STATS)… two-time first team All-SLC and All-Louisiana selection… 2014 McNeese Offensive MVP and team captain… helped lead the Cowboys to the 2013 FCS playoffs in a season that saw McNeese set a record in its 53-21 win over South Florida by scoring the most points by an FCS team over a BCS squad (USF was a member of the Big East at the time), a record that still stands… signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2015 and was with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016.

James Files (1972-75) – A two-time AP All-American as both an offensive tackle (1974) and a center (1975)… 1974 AFCA All-America… three-time All-SLC and All-Louisiana first team selection (1973-75)… three-time McNeese Offensive MVP (1973-75) making him one of just two players in school history to earn the award three times (Jermaine Martin)… played in the East-West and the Senior Bowl games… selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 1976 NFL Draft making him the highest draft choice in school history at the time (currently third-highest)… member of the Southland Conference All-Decade Team of the 1970s… inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.

Lance Fremin (2004-08) – Two-time All-Southland Conference honors… four-year starter who missed most of his junior year due to injury… regarded as one of the top centers in the nation his senior season… transferred from Mississippi State after a redshirt freshman season… helped the Cowboys win the 2006 and 2007 SLC championships.

Miguel Gauthreaux (2009-12) – Two-time All-Southland Conference selection… All-Louisiana… 2012 team captain… member of the 2009 SLC championship team… battled back from an injury to end his career on the field.

Lark Hebert (1982-85) – All-Southland Conference honors… 1985 McNeese team captain… began his career on the defensive line before moving over to the offensive side of the ball as a sophomore… a preseason all-American for his senior season… anchor of an offensive line that opened up holes for the great Buford Jordan and brother, Simon.

Nick Hebert (1966-69) – Three-time first team All-Gulf States Conference… helped the Cowboys win the 1967 GSC championship under head coach Jim Clark… served as the team’s place kicker in 1967 and connected on three field goals, one from 45-yards out… standout lineman who opened holes for backs such as Carol Breaux and Larry Grissom… inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.

Wes Hines (1997-00) – 2000 All-American (AP, STATS, ESPN/USA Today, Don Hansen’s Football)… All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana selection… two-time Google Cloud Academic All-American (first team in 2000; second team in 1999)… three-time FCS ADA Academic All-American (1998-2000)… two-time SLC All-Academic… 2000 team captain… 1999 McNeese Offensive MVP… member of the 1997 Cowboys that won the conference championship and advanced to play for the national championship… member of the Southland Conference All-Decade Team of the 2000s.

Dwight Hudler (2000-03) – 2003 first team All-American (AP, STATS)… two-time first team all-SLC and all-Louisiana… 2003 team captain… won three championships with the Cowboys (2001-03) while becoming the first team in Southland Conference history to win three straight… helped lead the Cowboys to the 2002 national championship game… during his four years, McNeese compiled a 39-12 overall record and 21-3 league mark… member of the Southland Conference All-Decade Team of the 2000s.

Lenny Kahn (1957-60) – 1960 All-American by Williamson Mid-Bracket… played both as a center and a linebacker for the Cowboys, earning first team all-conference honors at both positions… played in the All-American all-star game… also a standout baseball player for the Cowboys, earing all-conference honors as both a catcher (1959) and as an outfielder (1961)… inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

Glenn Kidder (1966-69) – 1969 All-American by the Associated Press… two-time All-Gulf States Conference first team selection… named McNeese’s MVP both the 1968 and 1969 seasons and is still the only offensive lineman in school history to be named MVP multiple times… in fact, there hasn’t been an offensive lineman named team MVP since his 1969 award… named permanent team captain throughout his career… helped the Cowboys win the 1967 GSC title… inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.

Glenn Koch (1985-88) – 1988 first team All-American by the Associated Press… first team all-SLC and all-Louisiana honors… 1988 team captain… a four-year starter for the Cowboys who also played some tight end in goal line situations… SLC All-Academic honors… member of the Southland Conference All-Decade Team of the 1980s.

Cody LeBlanc (2001-04) – Two-time first team All-SLC… three-year starter for the Cowboys from 2002-04… member of three SLC championship teams (2001-03)… the 2001-03 teams became the first in conference history to win three straight league titles… helped lead McNeese to the 2002 national title game.

Kyle Link (2005-08) – Two-time all-conference and SLC All-Academic honors… played his first two years as a tight end before moving to the offensive line where he earned all-conference honors… a tremendous blocker on the line, opening holes for all-American running back Toddrick Pendland as well as quarterback Derrick Fourroux… member of the 2006 and 2007 SLC championship teams… recipient of the 2008 Enos Derbonne Memorial Sportsmanship Award.

Quentin Marsh (2012-15) – 2015 All-American by STATS… two-time all-conference honors and all-Louisiana for one year… 2015 team captain… helped the Cowboys to the FCS playoffs in 2013 and 2015… won a conference championship in 2015 after posting a perfect 10-0 regular-season record.

Bret Martin (1979-82) – Three-time first team All-Southland Conference lineman (1980-82)… won SLC conference championships in 1979 and 1980 while playing in the Independence Bowl both seasons… lined up on the right side next to Lonnie Collins as the two blew open holes for running backs Theron McClendon and Buford Jordan… earned all-Louisiana honors… named to the Southland Conference All-Decade Team of the 1980s.

Ray Martin (1976-79) – A four-year starter for the Cowboys having earned first team all-conference honors in 1978 and 1979… first team all-Louisiana in 1979… could play on both sides of the ball, and did so in the 1976 Independence Bowl where the Cowboys defeated Tulsa in the inaugural game… 1979 team captain… won two league titles (1976 and 1979) and played in the Independence Bowl in both of those year… a member of the Southland Conference All-Decade Team of the 1970s.

Eman Naghavi (2005-08) – 2008 All-American (AP and STATS)… three-time All-Southland Conference, earning first team honors in 2007 and 2008… two-time all-Louisiana… two-time SLC All-Academic… 2008 team captain… played a major role in the Cowboys’ running game and RB Toddrick Pendland and QB Derrick Fourroux… won SLC titles in 2006 and 2007… named to the Southland Conference All-Decade Team of the 2000s.

Reggie Nelson (1995-98) – Consensus first team All-American in 1997 (AFCA, STATS, Sportsticker) and in 1998 (AP, AFCA, Walter Camp, STATS, ESPN/USA Today)… three-time first team all-SLC and all-Louisiana… 1998 team captain… a four-year starter for the Cowboys and was the only freshman to start in the 1995 SLC championship season… one of the most talented, and strongest offensive linemen in the history of the program, having bench pressed nearly 500 pounds at one time… won titles in 1995 and 1997, helping the Cowboys to the ’95 semifinals and the ’97 championship game… selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL Draft… spent one season with the Chargers and one with the Jacksonville Jaguars… named to the Southland Conference 1990s All-Decade Team as well as the league’s All-Time Football Team.

David Poché (1965-66) – 1966 NAIA All-American… played just two seasons with the Cowboys after transferring from LSU but is considered one of the greatest linemen in school history… also played at defensive tackle… two-time first team All-Gulf States Conference selection… 1966 McNeese MVP making him one of just five offensive linemen to garner the award in school history… 1966 Offensive MVP… helped lead the Cowboys to the 1965 GSC title… his jersey is one of just three that is retired by the football program… inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.

Brent Pousson (2003-06) – Two-time All-Southland Conference honors (2005, 2006)… 2006 All-Louisiana… three-time SLC All-Academic… 2006 team captain… recipient of the 2006 Jim Downing Memorial Senior Scholarship Award… won conference championships in 2003 and 2006… named preseason all-American as a junior and senior.

Charles Powell (1968-71) – 1971 Walter Camp All-American… all-Gulf States Conference selection… one of the top centers to ever play for the Cowboys and a team leader in 1971 when McNeese earned a No. 1 national ranking then went on to play in the Grantland Rice Bowl… inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.

Blayne Rush (1990-93) – Two-time first team All-Southland Conference selection in 1991 and 1993… 1993 All-Louisiana… massive blocker who helped the Cowboys win their first league title in 11 years (1991) and again in 1993… also led the team to its first-ever Division I playoff win in 1992… named to the 1990s All-Decade Team.

Don Tumey (1955-57) – All-Gulf States Conference honors… named McNeese’s MVP in 1956 and is still one of just five offensive linemen to ever receive the award… member of the 1957 Cowboys which won the first conference championship in school history.

M.K. Woolbert (1951-54) – Two-time All-Gulf States Conference selection… blocker for RB Jules Derouen, who in 1952, rushed for 1,313 yards, a record that stood until 2008 and is still ranked No. 2 in the McNeese record book… part of the Cowboys’ first season as a four-year college and the first as a member of the GSC.

McNeese Football All-75th Anniversary Team – Offensive Line (List)
Arinze Agada (2010-13)
Calvin Billings (1951-53)
Marsh Buice (1992-95)
Ronald Cherry (1992-94)
Lonnie Collins (1979-82)
Gerald Conner (1961-64)
Jason Davis (1999-02)
Jim Downing (1978-79)
Antoine Everett (2011-14)
James Files (1972-75)
Lance Fremin (2004-08)
Miguel Gauthreaux (2009-12)
Lark Hebert (1982-85)
Nick Hebert (1966-69)
Wes Hines (1997-00)
Dwight Hudler (2000-03)
Lenny Kahn (1957-60)
Glenn Kidder (1966-69)
Glenn Koch (1985-88)
Cody LeBlanc (2001-04)
Kyle Link (2005-08)
Quentin Marsh (2012-15)
Bret Martin (1979-82)
Ray Martin (1976-79)
Eman Naghavi (2005-08)
Reggie Nelson (1995-98)
David Poché (1965-66)
Brent Pousson (2003-06)
Charles Powell (1968-71)
Blayne Rush (1990-93)
Don Tumey (1955-57)
M.K. Woolbert (1951-54)