LAKE CHARLES – McNeese has produced a ton of talented, all-star caliber football players in its history with some of the most successful coming from the defensive backs position.
In celebration of the 75th anniversary of McNeese Football, a total of 26 former players have been selected to the All-Defensive Back team, a list that's made up of numerous All-Americans, NFL Draft picks, Super Bowl participants, all-conference selections and hall of famers.
Members of the All-75th Anniversary team will be recognized at the Oct. 6 football game against Abilene Christian. For more information, contact Matthew Bonnette at wbonnette@mcneese.edu.
McNeese Football 75th Anniversary All-Defensive Backs Team
Billy Blakeman (1970-73) – Four-year standout for the Cowboys at the safety position who continues to hold the McNeese career record with 25 pass interceptions… set a single-season record with 10 interceptions in 1970… All-Gulf States Conference and All-Southland Conference selection… set a Cowboy Stadium record with three pass interceptions against ULM in 1970… inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
Malcolm Bronson (2009-12) – A preseason All-American and a two-time first team All-Southland Conference selection… 2011 McNeese team MVP… 2012 McNeese team Captain… 2010 McNeese Outstanding Defensive Player… 2009 Louisiana Freshman of the Year… led the team with five pass interceptions in 2010 and with 89 total tackles in 2009… currently ranks third in the career record book with 233 interception return yards and is tied for second with two career interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Zach Bronson (1993-96) – One of the top defensive backs to ever play for the Cowboys… the only McNeese player, and one of just eight players in Southland Conference history, to earn first team All-SLC honors all four years… 1996 First Team All-American (AP, Walter Camp, AFCA)… 1995 All-American (Walter Camp, Sports Network)… four-time All-Louisiana selection… 1993 SLC Freshman of the Year… 1996 McNeese team MVP and Captain… all-time McNeese and SLC leader in interception return yards (455 yards)… tied for second all-time in McNeese history with 19 pass interceptions and two interception returns for TDs… ranked fifth all-time with 347 total tackles… played eight seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and the St. Louis Rams, recording 19 career interceptions and two touchdowns to go along with 247 tackles… in 2001, he set a 49ers record for the longest interception return in franchise history against the Chicago Bears, returning the pick 97 yards for a touchdown… named to the 1990s SLC All-Decade Team and SLC 50th Anniversary All-Time Football Team earning first team defense honors… inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
Robert Davenport (1979-81) – Two-time first team All-Southland Conference honors… led the Cowboys in 1980 with four pass interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, that being an 85-yard return against ULM, ranking seventh-lonest in school history… helped McNeese win the 1980 SLC championship and a spot in the Independence Bowl… named to the 1980s SLC All-Decade Team.
Tarius Davis (1996-99) – Two-time first team All-Southland Conference selection… 1999 McNeese MVP and team Captain… led the Cowboys in pass interceptions both the 1998 and 1999 seasons… helped lead McNeese to the 1997 SLC championship and a spot in the national championship game… named to the 1990s SLC All-Decade Team.
Rocke Fournet (1969-71) – Considered one of the top hitters in the Gulf States Conference… All-Gulf States Conference… 1971 McNeese team Captain… 13 career pass interceptions currently ranking No. 6 on the McNeese all-time list… his 111 interception return yards ranks ninth all-time… wearer of the famous "Black Hat" which was a black helmet that head coach Jack Doland had him wear so opponents would know where he was on the field at all times… inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
Damon Gladney (1992-95) – Two-time All-Southland Conference honors… part of a 1995 defense that ranked 6th in the nation in total defense, 11th in rushing and 15th in scoring… led the team with 12 pass breakups in 1994 and again in 1995 with 14… 29 pass breakups in his career… McNeese won the 1993 and 1995 SLC championships during his career and advanced to the 1994 national semifinals for the first time in school history.
Lance Guidry (1990-93) – Two-time All-Southland Conference and 1993 All-Louisiana honors… 1993 team Captain… an original member of the DWA – Defense With Attitude… helped resurrect the football program with SLC championships in 1991 and 1993, the program's first-ever playoff appearance (1991) and victory (1992)… picked off 11 passes in his career that currently ranks him No. 10 on the McNeese all-time list… led the Cowboys with five interceptions in 1992… was named national Player of the Week in a game against SFA in 1992 after he returned a fumble 42 yards for a TD and a pass interception 23 yards for a TD… recorded 269 career tackles, ranking him tied for 17th on the school's all-time list… currently the head coach for his alma mater.
Rod Gulley (2000-03) – 2003 McNeese team Captain… holds the school record for most pass interception returns for a touchdown with three… ranked tied for 7th all-time with 12 pass interceptions and is fourth with 214 career pass interception return yards… led the team with nine interceptions in 2002 in leading the Cowboys to the conference championship and a spot in the national championship game… those nine picks ranks tied as the second-most in a season in school history.
Tim Harris (1976-79) – Two-time first team All-Southland Conference… 1979 All-Louisiana… member of the 1976 and 1979 SLC championship teams and Independence Bowl participants… ended his career with seven pass interceptions… had four picks as a freshman in 1976 to earn All-SLC honors… also earned SLC All-Academic honors.
Bryan Hicks (1976-79) – The best defensive back player during his time but didn't have the stats because teams threw opposite his way… led the Cowboys with five pass interceptions as a senior in 1979, helping the Cowboys to a perfect 11-0 regular season, SLC championship, and a spot in the Independence Bowl… SLC All-Academic honors… seven career pass interceptions… selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 1980 NFL Draft… was with the Bengals for four seasons and started in the 1982 Super Bowl.
Charles Jefferson (1975-78) – Three-time All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana… ranked seventh nationally as a sophomore with a team-high seven pass interceptions… tied for the team lead with four picks as a junior and led the team his senior season with six interceptions… ranked tied for second on the McNeese all-time list with 19 pass interceptions… helped lead the Cowboys to the 1976 SLC and Independence Bowl championships… selected by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 1979 NFL Draft but played for the Houston Oilers… named to the 1970s SLC All-Decade Team… inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.
Darrell Jenkins (2008-11) – Three-time All-Southland Conference performer earning first team honors in 2009 and 2011… 2011 McNeese Outstanding Defensive Player and team Captain… led the Cowboys in 2011 with four pass interceptions… recorded 263 tackles in his career which is currently ranked 18th on the school's all-time list… helped guide McNeese to the 2009 SLC championship… had a 70-yard interception return for a TD in 2008 against Delta State, ranking as the 10th longest in school history.
Joe Judge (1998-01) – 2001 All-American by the AP, Walter Camp, Sports Network, and Don Hansen's Football… first team All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana… 2001 SLC Defensive Player of the Year… 2001 McNeese MVP… recorded 297 tackles in his career which currently ranks 14th all-time in school history… picked off five passes in his career along with 27 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks… led the Cowboys in 2001 with 14 tackles for a loss and ranked second on the team with six sacks… helped lead the Cowboys to the 2001 SLC title and the 1998, 1999 and 2001 playoffs… named to the SLC 2000s All-Decade Team.
Jamelle Juneau (2004-06, 2008) – 2006 All-American (Don Hansen's Football)… two-time first team All-Southland Conference… All-Louisiana… led the Cowboys in 2005 with 63 tackles… has 146 career interception return yards, ranking eighth on the school's all-time list… picked off seven passes in his career and recorded 231 total tackles.
Todd McArthur (1981-84) – All-Southland Conference selection… four-year starter for the Cowboys… led McNeese with five pass interceptions in both the 1983 and 1984 seasons… his 15 career pass interceptions ranks him fourth on the McNeese all-time list.
Guy Morgan (2009, 2011-13) – 2013 All-American by Sports Network… first team All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana… 2013 McNeese Outstanding Defensive Player… had a 76-yard interception return for a touchdown against South Florida to open up the 2013 season, helping the Cowboys dominate the FBS program… led McNeese in interceptions both the 2012 (3) and 2013 (4) seasons… his 172 interception return yards ranks seventh on the all-time career list.
Mike Pierce (1987-90) – 1990 All-American (Sports Network, Dan Hansen's Football)… 1989 and 1990 first team All-Southland Conference… 1990 first team All-Louisiana… 1990 SLC Defensive Player of the Year… 1990 McNeese MVP, team Captain, and McNeese Outstanding Defensive Player… led the Cowboys in pass interceptions with four in 1988 and five pick in 1989… his 12 interceptions in his career is currently ranked tied for seventh all-time… 243 career tackles currently ranks him 20th all-time… member of the 1990s SLC All-Decade Team.
Hadley Prince (1999-02) – 2002 All-American (AP, Walter Camp, AFCA, Sports Network, Don Hansen's Football)… 2002 Don Hansen's Football Defensive Back National Player of the Year… 2002 first team All-SLC… 2001 and 2002 first team All-Louisiana… 2002 SLC Player of the Year… three-time CoSIDA Academic All-American… three-time SLC All-Academic… 2002 team Captain… helped lead McNeese to the 2001 and 2002 SLC championships and a spot in the 2002 national title game… runner-up for the FCS Buck Buchanan Award as the nation's top defensive player in 2002… had an 88-yard interception return for a touchdown against Alcorn State in 2001 which currently ranks as the fourth-longest in school history… led the Cowboys in tackles in 2000 with 106… named to the 2000 SLC All-Decade Team… inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
Aaron Sam (2011-14) – Two-time All-Southland Conference and All-Louisiana… 2014 McNeese MVP and team Captain… school record holder with a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown, that coming against Nebraska in 2014 when the Cowboys nearly shocked the college football world… led the Cowboys in 2013 with 84 tackles… 197 career tackles along with five career interceptions.
Wallace Scott (2012-15) – 2015 All-American (AFCA, Sports Network)… two-time All-Southland Conference… 2015 All-Louisiana… 2015 Southland Conference and Louisiana Defensive Player of the Year… 2015 McNeese MVP and team Captain… scooped up a fumble against SFA in 2015 and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown, the second-longest fumble return for a score in school history… also had a 45-yard fumble return for a TD that same year against UCA… 141 career tackles… 14 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks in his career… picked off two career passes.
Leonard Smith (1980-82) – Perhaps the greatest defensive back to ever suit up for McNeese and one of the best in the Southland Conference… 1982 All-American (AP, AFCA)… three-time All-Southland Conference, earning first team honors in 1981 and 1982… 1982 SLC and Louisiana Defensive Player of the Year… 1982 McNeese MVP… picked off seven passes in his career… blocked 17 kicks in his career which still ranks No. 1 in the NCAA as well as Southland Conference and McNeese record books… selected in the first round by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1983 NFL Draft as the 17th overall pick, still ranking as the highest selection in SLC and McNeese history… had a 9-year NFL career, playing 1983-87 with St. Louis/Phoenix, then 1988-91 with Buffalo… played in Super Bowls XXV and XXVI with the Bills… a 1986 Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection... picked off 14 passes, had 14 sacks, and scored two TDs in his NFL career… 1980s SLC All-Decade Team… SLC 50th Anniversary All-Time Team… inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 1996… a 2014 College Football Hall of Fame inductee… 2015 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee… 2016 SLC Hall of Honor inductee.
Keith Smith (2000-03) – Two-time first team All-Southland Conference (2002, 2003)… 2003 first team All-Louisiana… led the Cowboys with four interceptions in 2003… school career record holder with 69 pass break-ups in his career including a single-season record with 26 in 2002… picked off six passes and recorded 154 tackles in his career… third round pick by the Detroit Lions in the 2004 NFL Draft and played six seasons with the Lions and the San Francisco 49ers… member of the 2000s SLC All-Decade Team.
Charles Stevenson (1959-61) – A two-way player for the Cowboys, playing both defensive back and running back… 1960 McNeese MVP when he led the team and the Gulf States Conference with seven pass interceptions… led the Cowboys with four pass interceptions in 1961… helped the Cowboys capture the 1961 GSC title… had a 97-yard interception return against Tampa in 1960 which was a school record at the time… his 405 pass interception return yards ranks No. 2 all-time in school history… inducted into the McNeese Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.
Kip Texada (1988-90) – Two-time first team All-Southland Conference… 1990 team Captain… 1990 McNeese Outstanding Defensive Player… led the Cowboys with four pass interceptions in 1990… picked off eight passes in his career… pound-for-pound the strongest player on the team as a junior and senior… 1990s SLC All-Decade Team.
Jonathan Walker (2004-07) – Three-time All-Southland Conference earning first team honors in 2005 and 2007… four-year starter for the Cowboys, starting in 43 career games… recorded 228 career tackles along with six interceptions and 8.5 tackles for a loss… helped guide McNeese to back-to-back SLC titles in 2006 and 2007.
