JEANERETTE — For a long time, Jeanerette running back Nathaniel Brooks has wanted to see the country and play football.

He’ll get the chance to do both as the JSH senior signed Thursday to play football for Bowie State University in Bowie, Md.

Bowie State is Maryland’s oldest historically black university, having been founded in 1865.

Advertisement

“Former Jeanerette coach Daronte Jones always told me that if my senior year comes and no else wanted me that he would be my back up opportunity,” said Brooks. “That’s how it went. I didn’t get offers from anyone else so I decided to go with them and now for the next four years I’ll be playing at Bowie State.”

Jones coached at Jeanerette two years ago before joining the Bowie State coaching staff.

“I’m very comfortable going up to Maryland,” said Brooks. “It’s time for me to explore things that life is all about and to find out what I can do.”

Brooks, who rushed 1,763 yards and 20 touchdowns last year, hopes to continue to play on the offensive side of the ball in college.

“I want to play offense but the coaches will decide what I will be when I get up there,” said Brooks. “It doesn’t matter to me, I just want a chance to play.”

The JSH senior admitted that he wanted to sign with a bigger college but didn’t have the opportunity.

“There are always people that want to sign with bigger colleges but don’t get the chance,” said Brooks. “That’s why there are smaller colleges to go to give players like me a chance to play.

“I had received a lot of interest from other colleges but my grades weren’t quite right so I took the second opportunity.”

Jeanerette Senior High football coach Zeb Simon was pleased to see his star running back get the opportunity to play college football.

“He’s going to Bowie State University,” said Simon. “Coach Jones, who used to work here, is now the defensive coordinator at Bowie, and requested some film to show to his head coach, who saw the film and was impressed by what he saw.

“Nathaniel is signing after the National Signing Period but they offered Nathaniel a full scholarship. Bowie has committed to him, so if something else comes open, Nathaniel has that option to go somewhere else. But Bowie has committed to him and they want Nathaniel to be a part off the Bowie State family.”

Simon said it will be hard to see Brooks leave.

“Nathaniel has been a four year starter for us,” said Simon. “This past year when we were very young and had limited numbers, he carried the team on his back in playing on both sides of the ball.

“He got the respect from the players, the coaches, the media and the other coaches in the district when he was named offensive MVP. If takes that same attitude and work ethic to Bowie, he’ll be a promising athlete and won’t disappoint anybody.”