By: Brad Welborn, Assistant Sports Information Director
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State picked up a bevy of talented transfers on the defensive side of the ball plus some key addition on offense and special teams as part of its transfer class.
Third-year head coach
Blaine McCorkle announced the signing of 21 transfers and one high school signee on Thursday; a class loaded with talent and experience coming primarily from the FBS ranks.
"I am very excited about this group of young men we are bringing into our program," McCorkle said. "I want to thank our staff, I think they worked extremely hard to identify what we needed and find the right people to either fill those holes or bolster the roster.
"We have had the philosophy to replace graduating seniors with high school talent and portal guys with portal guys. Last fall we said goodbye to 12 seniors on senior day, and we signed 12 high school players so we hit that mark exactly. We had 13 go into the portal and we replaced them with 21 very solid football players so we definitely bettered ourselves there."
Joining the NSU roster for the upcoming 2026 season are Jamal Cooper Jr. (Dartmouth), Joseph Cryer (McNeese), Bryston Dixon (Jones College), Donovan Dozier (Liberty), Blaine Duncan (Gannon Univ.), Blake Fann (North Texas), Mikel Hines (ULM), Harold Lawson (Tulane), Tyrone McDuffie III (UTEP), MarJayvious Moss (Navarro), Kamron Norwood (Southeastern), Geoffrey Ojeh (UTPB), Jason Otah (East Texas A&M), Jake Peveto (Trinity Valley), Brandon Ross (Saddleback College), Diego Sanchez (Arkansas Tech), Kameron Thomas (Arkansas State), Zach Wilcke (Charlotte), Jace Williams (Tulsa), Payne Williams III (Colorado State), Tywon Wray Jr. (South Alabama).
The lone high school addition to commit to NSU on the Feb. 4 signing day was JR Dockery II from Memphis, Tenn. He joins the class of 11 other signees from the December high school class.
NSU picked up 10 transfers from FBS schools, four from fellow FCS programs, four junior college transfers and two from Division II programs.
"We had the second lowest number of players go into the portal of anyone in the conference and that is very encouraging," McCorkle said. "That tells us our still extremely young team is buying into what we are doing, they believe and see the future and want to stay and be a part of it.
"This is the strongest the roster has been by a long way since we arrived on campus. We will still be very young, with only 13 seniors, and go through spring practice with 32 sophomores and 17 redshirt freshmen. This team is growing up, and it is fun to watch. I'm really excited to get to spring practice and see what the new additions look like and see the ever-changing bodies (strength and conditioning) Coach (Jason) Smelser and his staff are building."
Below are the bio capsules for all 22 new Demon signees.
Jamal Cooper Jr. – DB – 5-11 – 190 – R-Sr. – Montgomery, Ala. – Montgomery Academy – Dartmouth
Prior to NSU
Spent four seasons at Dartmouth, winning a pair of Ivy League titles, where he appeared in 28 games collecting 34 tackles 5 pass breakups and one interception…first career pick came in the season finale of 2024 against Brown (11/23)…made at least two tackles in seven of the 10 games in which he played during the 2025 season…made his collegiate debut as a freshman in 2022 against Brown.
High School
Capital City Conference co-Player of the Year…first-team all-state and all-metro…two-way player and return specialist who moved to quarterback at the start of the 3A playoffs to guide his team to an upset in the semi-finals…also earned second-team all-metro on the basketball court as a junior.
Personal
Son of Valerie Holmes and Jamal Cooper Sr.…has a brother, Jashawn, and a sister, Rhianna Carstarphen…father, Jamal, played football at Alabama State…majoring in computer information systems…wants to play in the NFL or own his own business.
Joseph Cryer – OL – 6-3 – 320 – R-So. – Leesville, La. – Natchitoches Central – LSU – Southern Miss – McNeese
Prior to NSU
Enrolled early at LSU in the Spring of 2024 before transferring to Southern Miss for the 2024 season…played in four games during his freshman season at Southern Miss, preserving a redshirt…spent the 2025 season at McNeese seeing action in nine games.
High School
One of the top offensive line prospects in Louisiana in 2023, rated No. 28 overall in the state and No. 68 nationally in the On3 composite…three-star recruit by all recruiting services…ranked as the No. 18 prospect in Louisiana by ESPN…won LHSAA Division III non-select state championship in 2022 with Many…finished his prep career at Natchitoches Central…helped the Chiefs rush for 5.4 yards per carry and 341.8 yards of total offense per game…earned Second-Team 5A All-State in 2023.
Personal
Son of Cheri and Bo Cryer…has five siblings, brothers, Jordan, Morgan, Tyler and Landon, and sister, Caitlyn…general studies major with a concentration in kinesiology…wants to go into coaching.
Bryston Dixon – DL – 6-5 – 330 – R-Jr. – McIntosh, Ala. – Leroy HS – Georgia Tech – Jones College
Prior to NSU
Appeared in 16 games in two seasons at Jones College…made 32 total tackles including 3.5 for loss…had at least three tackles in each of the final five games of the season in 2025 with 3.0 tackles for loss…made a career-high five stops in his final game at Jones against Pearl River…made 10 tackles during his redshirt freshman season with a season-best four against Southwest in 2024…did not see action as a true freshman at Georgia Tech in 2023.
High School
Rated as a three-start prospect and the No. 56 prospect in Alabama by 24/7 Sports…named first-team all-state by the Alabama Sports Writers Association following his senior season…recorded 79 tackles and 37.0 tackles for loss with seven sacks as a senior…named one of the top defensive linemen in Alabama by Down South Football.
Donovan Dozier – DE – 6-3 – 250 – R-Jr. – Raleigh, N.C. – Cardinal Gibbons HS – Liberty
Prior to NSU
Spent three seasons at Liberty appearing in 23 games during that time…saw the field in all 12 games for the Flames in 2025…made 15 tackles on the year including 1.5 tackles for loss…added two quarterback hurries…made a career-best four tackles at Louisiana Tech (11/22)…played in 10 games during the 2024 season…finished the season with three tackles, including a three-yard sack…recorded first career interception came against Sam Houston (11/29).
High School
Four-time all-conference and all-state player at Raleigh's Cardinal Gibbons HS…helped CGHS to consecutive 4A state championship appearances with at least a trip to the semi-finals all four seasons…won 4A state title as a junior…finished his junior year with 63 tackles and 18.0 sacks…recorded 39 tackles as a senior with 5.0 tackles for loss and an interception…also a member of the CGHS wrestling team.
Personal
Son of Keisha and Maurice Dozier…has two siblings, brother, Damien and sister, Lexie…majoring in business administration…aims to work for a construction company.
Blaine Duncan – TE – 6-5 – 255 – Sr. – Hickory, N.C. – Fred T. Foard HS – Lenior-Rhyne – Gannon Univ.
Prior to NSU
Spent first three seasons of collegiate career at Lenior-Rhyne…member of the 2023 Bears team that won the SAC conference title and was a semi-finalist in the Division II playoffs…played the 2025 season at Gannon where he made four catches for 39 yards and two touchdowns…caught a 15-yard touchdown pass against Seton Hill (10/18) and a 3-yd score against Edinboro (10/25) on back-to-back weeks.
High School
All-conference player during his junior and senior seasons at Fred T. Foard HS
Personal
Son of Shawna and Matthew Duncan…has four siblings, a brother, Baylor, and sisters, Lindsey, Ali and Hadley…majoring in business administration…plans to go into sales in the steel industry.
Blake Fann – LB – 6-2 – 235 – R-Jr. – Frisco, Texas – Lone Star HS – North Texas
Prior to NSU
Spent three seasons at North Texas…appeared in 24 total games in two playing seasons, primarily on special teams, recording four total tackles…preserved a redshirt season as a freshman in 2023.
High School
Helped lead his Frisco Lone Star HS team to a 9-3 record as a senior earning first-team all-state, first-team all-district and second-team academic all-state…recorded 152 tackles, with 21.5 tackles for loss, forced two fumbles, had eight quarterback pressures and seven pass breakups in his career…led the team as a senior with 113 tackles, including 14.5 tackles for loss.
Personal
Son of Melissa and David Fann…has two brothers, Brody and Bayden…majoring in business administration…wants to be a construction manager and own his own business.
Mikel Hines – DL – 6-3 – 270 – R-Jr. – Hueytown, Ala. – East Mississippi CC – ULM
Prior to NSU
Played first two seasons of college career at East Mississippi CC…appeared in 22 games in two seasons…made 60 tackles with 5.5 sacks and 12.5 total tackles for loss…earned an All-MACCC Honorable Mention in 2024…as a sophomore had a JUCO career-high six tackles at Hinds CC (9/5)…recorded at least one tackle for loss in five games including in three straight games during the season…during freshman season (2023) had 2.0 tackles for loss and a pass breakup at Itawamba CC (10/26)…saw action in one game at ULM in 2025 at Alabama (9/6).
High School
Three-year starter at Hueytown HS…won a pair of conference championships and helped lead his team to a state runner-up as a senior in 2022.
Personal
Son of Taneka and Micheal Hines Jr.…has two siblings, brother, Michael, and sister, Michelle…majoring in computer information systems…wants to play in the NFL.
Harold Lawson – LB – 6-0 – 230 – R-Jr. – Baton Rouge, La. – Catholic HS – Tulane
Prior to NSU
Spent three seasons at Tulane…saw action in three games during the 2025 season, at South Alabama and against East Carolina and Charlotte…recorded one tackle for a two-yard lass against Charlotte…preserved a redshirt as a freshman in 2023 and did not play in 2024…two-time member of the dean's list at Tulane.
High School
Played football and wrestled at Catholic HS in Baton Rouge…helped lead football program to four straight trips to at least the semi-finals of Louisiana state playoffs, including back-to-back state championships in 2020 and 2021…led the team in tackles in each of his final three seasons…tallied 12.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as a senior…earned all-state honors as well as three all-district awards…
Personal
Son of Cathy and Raharold Lawson…has one brother, Malachi…majoring in health and exercise science with a kinesiology concentration…wants to attend physical therapy school.
Tyrone McDuffie III – OL – 6-4 – 315 – R-Jr. – El Paso, Texas – Parkland HS – UTEP
Prior to NSU
CUSA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll (2025)
CUSA Commissioner's Academic Medalist (2025)
Spent three seasons at UTEP appearing in 14 games total including all 12 games during the 2025 season…was an Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List and Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee at UTEP…worked as a mentor to students at Moreno Elementary while also putting in 70+ hours at the Visitor's Chapel AME Church…volunteered with Salvation Army, multiple elementary schools, hospitals and hunger relief programs during his time in his home town of El Paso…also served as the UTEP football SAAC Representative.
High School
Four-year letter winner and three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track & field…earned District 1-5A Division I First-Team honors as a senior…graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA in the top 10 percent of his class as a member of the National Honor Society.
Personal
Son of Shakieasha and Tyrone McDuffie Jr…has one sister, Sharkya, who played basketball and ran track at Missouri Valley College…relative, Dylan, was a running back for Kansas…relative, Isaiah was a linebacker for Boston College and went on to play for the Green Bay Packers…majoring in history with a minor in political science…wants to attend law school…life's ambition is to, "use my knowledge, experiences and the leadership skills I've built on and off the field to make a lasting, positive impact on the world. Whether through practicing law, giving back to my community or coaching future athletes, I am committed to helping others and making the world a better place."
MarJayvious Moss – DB – 5-10 – 195 – R-Jr. – Shreveport, La. – Northwood HS – Memphis – Navarro
Prior to NSU
Played in eight games at Navarro College in 2025…recorded 37 tackles, 0.5 for loss, with a pair of interceptions and two pass breakups…had at least three tackles in seven of the eight games in which he appeared…recorded two interceptions in one game against Cisco College (10/25)…spent two seasons at Memphis, with a redshirt season in 2023 and seeing action in eight games during the 2024 season.
High School
Two-time all-state award winner at Northwood HS in Shreveport…set the school record for interceptions in a season with eight as a junior and career with 15…earned all-district honors three times during his career and all-city honors twice
Personal
Son of LaQuisha Moss and Damarcus Ratliff…has six siblings, brothers, Quintavious, Zy'Teruis and Jeremiah and sisters, Ariyuna, Briyuna and Destini…general studies major.
Kamron Norwood – DB – 5-11 – 185 – R-Sr. – Hattiesburg, Miss. – Hattiesburg HS – Pearl River CC – Troy – Southeastern
Prior to NSU
Began collegiate career with a pair of standout seasons at Pearl River CC…appeared in 18 games across the 2022 and 2023 seasons…collected 63 total tackles, 6.0 for loss, and had three interceptions…intercepted two passes in the same game during his freshman season of 2022 and added a third the following week…blocked a field goal and returned it for a touchdown as a sophomore…earned an All-MACCC Honorable Mention in 2023…played in three games at Troy in 2024, seeing action against Coastal Carolina, Georgia Souhern and Southern Miss…spent the 2025 season at Southeastern where he recorded 21 tackles, 2.0 for loss, with a career-best six coming against UTRGV (9/27).
High School
Played receiver and defensive back at Hattiesburg HS…finished senior season with 37 tackles, five pass breakups and one interception…named to 3-A Super 22 Team and MAC 5A First-Team All-State.
Personal
Son of Carla Thomas…has two brothers, Kyron Norwood, who played football at Lamar, and Micah Thomas, and a sister, Kayla Norwood…majoring in business administration…wants to go into real estate.
Geoffrey Ojeh – DE – 6-7 – 275 – R-So. – Mesquite, Texas – John D. Horn HS – UTPB
Prior to NSU
Lone Star Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll (2024 - UTPB)
Saw action in six games at defensive end for UT Permian Basin, including in each of the final three games of the regular season and the final two playoff games… Had 10 tackles (5 solo, 5 assisted), 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks on the year... Totaled at least two tackles in each of his four regular-season appearances, including three total tackles (2 solo, 1 assisted) in each of the final two games of the regular season vs. Eastern New Mexico (Nov. 8) and Sul Ross State (Nov. 15)... added a tackle for loss against ENMU…reserved his redshirt season as a true freshman in 2024.
Personal
Son of Evelyn and Geoffrey Ojeh…has two siblings, brother, Precious and sister, Destiny…sister is enrolled in finance master's program at Texas…majoring in business administration…was a top one percent player in Fortnite…likes building PCs, gaming and has a cologne collection
Jason Otah – DL – 6-5 – 275 – R-Jr. – Sugar Land, Texas – Episcopal HS – East Texas A&M
Prior to NSU
Spent three seasons at East Texas A&M appearing in 13 games during that time…had two tackles in four games in 2024 and made one tackle in nine appearances in 2025…did not play as a true freshman, preserving a redshirt…off the field he was the Chair of Academic Affairs for ETAMU Student Government, a Fletcher & Wilhelmina Warren Scholarship winner for is work abroad in Belize, honors college inductee, a peer mentor leader, two-time member of the dean's list, member of the president's list and SLC Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient.
High School
Played football and competed in track & field at Episcopal HS…voted 2022 VYPE Breakout Player of the Year…finished first in Southwest Prep 4A, made the TAPPS playoffs and was a Preseason All-VYPE Private School Football team selection in 2022…as a track & field athlete he was a finalist in the shotput and discus and won a SPC 4A State Championship.
Personal
Son of Ese and Kenneth Otah…has one brother, Kenny…mother is a surgeon and father is a cardiologist…brother is a musician and medical student…cousin, Anthony Egbo played defensive back for Abilene Christian…majoring in psychology…wants to become a counseling psychiatrist…is a jazz percussionist and enjoys photography and writing.
Jake Peveto – WR – 6-0 – 184 – R-So. – Baton Rouge, La. – College Station HS – SMU – Trinity Valley CC
Prior to NSU
Named SWJCFC Second-Team All-Conference in his lone season at Trinity Valley…led the team in receptions and yards in 2025 with 41 grabs for 392 yards and three touchdowns…averaged 9.6 yards per catch on the season…had back-to-back games with eiaght receptions for 70+ yards…made four or more catches in each of the first six games he played…appeared in one game during his true freshman season at SMU, preserving a redshirt.
High School
Three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track & field…amassed more than 1,200 yards during his senior season on the gridiron earning a second-team all-district selection.
Personal
Son of Melissa and Bradley Dale Peveto…has one sister, Payton…father served as NSU football head coach for four seasons from 2009-12 after serving as its defensive coordinator from 1996-98 under the legendary Sam Goodwin. He was the special teams coach on LSU's 2007 National Championship team…general studies major that wants to get into real estate.
Brandon Ross – CB – 6-1 – 195 – So. – Augusta, Ga. – Aquinas HS – Saddleback
Prior to NSU
Played two seasons at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif.…saw action in 23 games in his two seasons…recorded 34 total tackles with two pass breakups…had a career-best eight stops as a sophomore against Palomar (10/25) in 2025.
Personal
Son of Chardia Simon and Brandon Ross Sr…has one sister, Diamond…majoring in business administration…wants to start and own his own business.
Diego Sanchez – DB – 6-3 – 190 – Jr. – Dickinson, Texas – Dickinson HS – Arkansas Tech
Prior to NSU
Played two seasons at Arkansas Tech appearing in 21 games…totaled 100 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, five interceptions and 13 pass breakups…as a sophomore earned third-team all-conference honors and helped Arkansas Tech to their first winning season and a bowl game since 2017…returned his first career interception 62-yards for a touchdown against Northwestern Oklahoma (10/5) as a freshman in 2024…made a career-high 11 tackles against Harding (11/16) with four or more tackles in each of the final five games of the season…recorded 59 tackles during his sophomore season with a season-high eight on three different occasions, including back-to-back games at East Central (10/11) and Southern Arkansas (10/18)…had interceptions in consecutive games against Northwestern Oklahoma (9/11) and Ouachita (9/20) returning the first 38-yards for a touchdown…had at least two tackles in every game he played in 2025 and three or more in each of the final 11 games of the year.
High School
Unanimous first-team all-district and first-team all-county safety as a senior at Dickinson HS…earned a second-team all-district honor as a sophomore and honorable mention as a junior…named Dickinson HS football player of the year twice…graduated with a 4.0 as a member of the National Honor Society and academic all-district honoree.
Personal
Son of Angelica Rendon and Anthony Sanchez…has one brother, Mateo, and a sister, Lola…majoring in business administration…wants to play in the NFL and one day own his own business…middle name is Storm.
Kameron Thomas – RB – 5-10 – 191 – R-So. – Zachary, La. – Zachary HS – Arkansas State
Prior to NSU
Saw action in five games for Arkansas State in 2025…carried the ball eight times for 38 total yards…rushed for 35 yards on five carries against Arkansas (9/6)…did not see action as a true freshman in 2024, preserving a redshirt.
High School
Played at Zachary HS…as a senior amassed 1,579 all-purpose yards with 17 touchdowns, including rushing for more than 1,400 yards on nearly 200 carries…member of Broncos team that advanced to at least state semi-finals in each of his final three prep seasons, including a state championship win in 2021 and runner-up finish in 2023.
Personal
Son of Laurie Brown and Wallace Thomas…has four siblings, brothers, Kendall, Je'Vante and Landen and sister, Mahogany…brother, Landen plays football for UNLV…majoring in business administration.
Zach Wilcke – QB – 6-3 – 205 – R-Sr. – Hernando, Miss. – Hernando HS – Southern Miss – Charlotte
Prior to NSU
Began collegiate career at Southern Miss in 2022 where he started eight games as a true freshman, one shy of the record nine by a freshman set by Brett Favre in 1987… went 5-3 as a starter going 101-for-176 passing for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns…had a career-best 207 passing yards in his first collegiate start against Miami (9/10)…transferred to Northwest Mississippi CC after a redshirt 2023 season where he led the Rangers to a 10-2 overall record and third MACCC championship in five years…started 12 games and was 164-for-283 for 2,051 yards and 15 touchdowns…had season-high 287 yards on 15-of-25 passing with four touchdowns in win against Gulf Coast (11/9)…had more than 200 yards passing four times during the season and had four games with multiple touchdown passes…had consecutive 200-yard passing performances with 20 or more completions in a pair of win against Northeast (9/26) and SW Mississippi (10/10)…saw action in six games at Charolotte in 2025 going 33-for-51 for 296 yards and a pair of touchdowns…threw for season-high 150 yards on 14-of-18 passing with two scores at South Florida (10/3).
High School
Three-sport athlete in football, baseball and basketball…led Hernando football to back-to-back Class 6A playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021…surpassed 8,000 total yards and 60 touchdowns during his varsity career…named Region 1-6A Offensive MVP and earned first-team all-state honors as a senior…chosen to play in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game…during his sophomore season threw for 1,801 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Personal
Son of Kathy and Clint Wilcke…has four siblings, brothers, Ben, Robert and Caleb, and sister, Kendall Myrick…earned his general studies degree from Charlotte and enrolled in NSU's Sports Administration program…ambition is to be an athletic director or operations director at a Division I university.
Jace Williams – CB – 6-1 – 185 – R-Fr. – Mesquite, Texas – John D. Horn HS – Tulsa
Prior to NSU
Spent the 2025 season at Tulsa but did not see game action, preserving a redshirt season.
High School
Two-year starter at Horn HS in Mesquite, Texas…earned an all-district honor following his junior and senior seasons…recorded 43 tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss, with three interceptions and 11 pass break ups.
Personal
Son of Debra and Dominique Williams…has two brothers, Jordan and Justin…general studies major…wants to continue his career in football either as a player or coach.
Payne Williams III – K – 5-10 – 180 – R-So. – Natchitoches, La. – St. Mary's – Colorado State
Prior to NSU
Spent two seasons at Colorado State receiving preserving a redshirt as a freshman in 2024 and did not see game action in 2025.
High School
Three-sport athlete at St. Mary's in baseball, basketball and football…two-time all-state kicker and all-state punter…all-district as a punter and kicker five times…kicked school record 53-yard field goal for St. Mary's
Personal
Son of Bridget and Joseph Payne Williams Jr.…has two siblings, brother, Blanchard and sister, Aubrey…majoring in history…plans to attend law school.
Tywon Wray Jr – DB – 6-2 – 205 – R-Jr. – Atlanta, Ga. – Campbell HS – Oklahoma State – South Alabama
Prior to NSU
Appeared in six games at South Alabama during the 2025 season, primarily on special teams…recorded one tackle against Tulane…did not see game action in two seasons at Oklahoma State.
High School
Played both receiver and safety for Campbell HS in Atlanta…recorded 70 tackles with eight pass breakups and five interceptions as a senior…led the team in all receiving categories as well with 27 receptions for 404 yards and three touchdowns…first-team all-region player.
Personal
Son of Apple Lewis and Tywon Wray…has a brother, Kamauree, and two sisters, Presligh and Prescott…uncle, Kelly Butler, played for Purdue and four years in the NFL…majoring in computer information systems with a cybersecurity concentration.
JR Dockery II – LB – 6-1 – 213 – Fr. – Memphis, Tenn. – Christian Brothers HS
High School
Three-year letter winner at Christian Brothers in Memphis, Tenn.…earned first-team all-region and First-Team All-Memphis Metro following his junior season…ranked as the No. 3 best linebacker in Memphis as a senior.
Personal
Son of John Dee Dockery…has two sisters, Lyles Dockery and Sophia Stentz…grandfather Rex Dockery was head football coach at Texas Tech (1978-80) and Memphis (1981-83) and is a member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, the field at Liberty Bowl Stadium bears his name…majoring in health and exercise science…wants to coach at the collegiate level.
