ERATH - Erath High senior quarterback Zack Fourroux wanted it made perfectly clear that it was not because older brother Derrick is the starting quarterback that he decided to sign with McNeese State University.

In fact, Derrick had nothing to do with his decision.

“I would have signed with McNeese anyway,” said Fourroux. “I have always like the place and I felt comfortable there when I went and visited with the coaches.”

Kyle Robicheaux, from left, Cody Migues and Coach Brian Fine. Lee Ball/The Daily Iberian Advertisement

But Fourroux will admit that since he is going to be a Cowboy, having his older brother around will be a help.

“I’ve been able to watch what he is doing and I have an idea and he can help me adjust to college life,” said Fourroux. “Plus, it will be fun playing with him again.”

Fourroux, the three-year starter for the Bobcats, signed with McNeese on the first day of the college football signing period on Wednesday, but because Erath High was not in session on Wednesday due to the Mardi Gras Holiday, officially announced his decision on Thursday.

“I always felt a need to be there with my brother,” said Fourroux, who took over at quarterback at Erath after his freshman year after older brother Derrick signed with McNeese. “They felt comfortable with me. They recruited me for quarterback and that’s what I’ll stick with.”

Fourroux ended his prep career with 2,306 yards and 23 touchdowns passing and also as a senior played defensive end and had 28 tackles and three sacks.

One of the first decisions that Fourroux will make at McNeese is to redshirt his freshman year in order to learn the offense under his brother and to let the current logjam at quarterback, including Derrick, St. Martinville’s Beau Lasseigne and Iowa’s Mark Fontenot, thin out a little bit.

“I want to redshirt and feel comfortable with the system,” said Fourroux. “Let those other guys get out of there.

“I’ll go this summer with Derrick and get a head start on learning the system and start learning the playbook early.”

Fourroux, who plans to major in nursing at McNeese, hopes that playing with his brother will be just like it was when Derrick was quarterback and Zack was playing tight end and receiver.

“It should be the same,” said Fourroux. “Only that I won’t be playing tight end, I’ll be playing quarterback.

“Hopefully, I’ll get the opportunity to be his backup.”

Erath High coach Jacob Byler was pleased that his quarterback decided to go to McNeese.

“He has worked hard for everything and it’s good to see that he gets the fruits of his hard work.”

Fourroux had some interest from Louisiana Tech, but the Ruston school backed off late in the recruiting process.

“If somebody is going to show their support and that they care and want you to be their quarterback, then you have to support the decision,” said Fourroux. “McNeese offered me before my senior year started and I jumped on it.

“I was blessed to have a brother there that I could follow. It won’t be so hard on me.”

But there is always a touch of sibling rivalry.

“That’s my goal, to be ahead of him. I won’t stop working hard to be ahead of him.”