NATCHITOCHES -- The Northwestern State football program has received eight letters of intent on National Signing Day.

Below are bio capsules for the Demons' signing class:

Landon Blubaugh
OL, 6-3, 260, Keller, Texas, Keller HS
High School: Unanimous first-team all-district offensive lineman at Keller High as a junior and senior … honorable mention all-district as a sophomore … helped Keller to two playoff appearances in seasons of seven and eight wins.
Personal: Son of Randy and Melissa Blubaugh … dad is a business owner … two older brothers Garrett and Carter … Garrett won an NCAA Division II national championship at Texas A&M-Commerce … business major who aspires to own and operate his own ranch … wants to have a big family and serve the Lord.

AJ Burns
CB, 5-11, 170, Waco, Texas, La Vega High
High School: Helped La Vega advance to the third round of the playoffs as a senior, including being a part of a defense that held the opposition to a total of seven points in two playoff wins … defense pitched three shutouts and held seven opponents to 10 points or less … as a junior, advanced to the state title game in Class 4A, won 14 games … won the state title as a sophomore with 14 wins, defeating Liberty Hill in the title game … also competed in track as a sprinter, part of a state championship as a sophomore.
Personal: Son of Anthony Burns Sr. and Devenn Williams … dad is a computer specialist and mom is a driver's license supervisor … one younger sister Damice … business administration major who wants to concentrate on entrepreneurship and have his own sports business.

Kareame Cotton Jr.
QB, 6-2, 195, North Little Rock, Ark., North Little Rock HS
High School: Football and basketball standout at North Little Rock High … as a quarterback, led the Charging Wildcats to appearances in the Class 7A state title game in each of the last three seasons … program has played in the last five state title games … scored the winning touchdown in the final seconds of the semifinals on a 32-yard run, a game in which he threw for 358 and ran for 88 with six combined touchdowns … part of 45 program wins in the last four years.
Personal: Son of Kareame and Latosha … dad is a businessman and mom is a hair dresser … electrical engineering technology major who to be an engineer upon graduation.

Jaylon Glosson
TE, 6-3, 225, North Little Rock, Ark., North Little Rock High
 High School: An all-conference tight end who has led North Little Rock High to appearances in the Class 7A state title game in each of the last three seasons … program has played in the last five state title games … part of 45 program wins in the last four years … also played basketball in a program that won 70 games in the last three seasons … a two-time Arkansas honor scholar.
Personal: Son of Rico and Sunya Glosson … dad is a conductor and mom is a beautician … one older brother Que … electrical engineering technology major who aspires to play professionally or get a job in his field.


Coby James
OL, 6-3, 260, Midlothian, Texas, Midlothian Heritage HS
High School: Helped Midlothian Heritage High to playoff appearances in all four seasons as an offensive lineman under head coach Lee Wigington … playoff trips include the quarterfinals as a junior and third round as a sophomore and freshman … graduated with a 3.5 GPA.
Personal: Son of Damon and Debbie James … dad is a retired police officer and mom is a nurse … older sisters Cydney and Cierra … electrical engineering technology major who aspires to be an engineer.

Ara Rauls III
S, 5-10, 175, Waco, Texas, La Vega HS
High School: A safety who quarterbacked La Vega High to a state championship as a sophomore … all-state safety as a junior on a team that advanced to the state title game … made 95 tackles with five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and 11 pass breakups … led team to the third round of the playoffs as a senior … sprinted on the track team for three seasons, including being part of a state championship as a sophomore … National Honors Society member.
Personal: Son of Ara and Kylie Rauls … dad is a high school coach, mom is a dialysis nurse … health and exercise science major who aspires to be a physical therapist.

Chase Underwood
OL, 6-3, 265, Mangham, La., Mangham HS
High School: Led Mangham High to the Class 2A semifinals with a chance to play for a state title in Northwestern State's Turpin Stadium … Dragons were the No. 2 seed and had an 11-0 record entering semifinal play … selected first-team all-state as a junior and senior … also picked to The News-Star's All-NELA team and to the all-district team in his final two seasons … as a junior, Mangham won nine games and reached the playoff's second round.
Personal: Son of Adam and Joni Underwood … four older siblings, brothers Shane and Jess and sisters Macy and Grace … business administration major.

Zitavious (Kel) Williams
FS, 5-10, 180, Starkville, Miss., East Miss. CC (Starkville HS)
Prior to NSU: Played one season at East Mississippi Community College as a freshman before the 2020 season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic … made 49 tackles (41 solo) with three interceptions and a fumble recovery in 10 games of his lone college season … all three interceptions came in one game vs. East Central CC, the first Lion to do that since 2011 … added four pass breakups … ranked as the third leading tackler on the team, including a career-high 11 vs. Holmes CC … helped EMCC to a 6-4 mark and the semifinals of the MACJC … played four years at Starkville High, leading the Yellow Jackets to 11 and 13 wins in his final two seasons, including one region title in Class 6A.
Personal: Son of Tracy and Zeniths … dad is a landscaper and mom is a nurse … one younger sister Ty … health and human performance major who dreams of playing in the NFL.