McNeese has experience and youth at wide receiver

The 2013 McNeese Cowboys possessed one of the most potent offenses in school history, in large part to its great receiving corps that consisted of Diontae Spencer, Ernest Celestie, and tight end Nic Jacobs.
A year later and minus Spencer and Jacobs, the 2014 group is experienced and talented with some youth and could help put up similar, if not better, numbers than last season.
Celestie and Wes Briscoe, both seniors who received a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, along with senior Jereon McGilvery, have had successful careers as Cowboys’ players — Celestie will enter the season ranked 17th on the school’s all-time career receptions list with 77 catches and is 23 away from becoming just the 10th player with 100 grabs. Briscoe has 58 career receptions and needs 16 more to get into the top 20. The trio has a combined 12 years of experience under their belt.
Briscoe and Celestie also have had the misfortunes of being hampered with injuries last season.
Celestie, a Lake Charles native and Barbe High School product, said he’s 100 percent healthy for the first time since his playing days at Barbe.
“The two years I was at (Texas) Tech, I had the heart problem then injured my shoulder and never got on the field,” he said in a news release. “It feels good to be out here on the field, especially at practice.”
Celestie played in all 13 games last season but did so on a broken foot. His only time to get on the practice field during the week was at Friday’s walk-through while wearing a walking cast. That was to save him from aggravating the injury. Come Saturdays, he was good to go. He had surgery to repair the foot shortly after the season.
“Oh it was painful, but I wasn’t going to let the pain keep me out,” he said. “The surgery went great and the rehab was good. Around May, that’s when I knew I was 100 percent.”
Celestie went on to rank third on the team last year with 31 catches for 565 yards and scored five touchdowns.
Briscoe, a Baton Rouge native, was lost for the season in the fourth week against Weber State when a tackle near the sideline injured his knee. He made nine catches for 115 yards with a touchdown up to that point.
McGilvery, a Lafayette native, also played in all 13 games last season. He made 11 catches for 219 yards and two scores while averaging 19.9 yards per catch.
“I’m looking for a big year this year,” McGilvery said. “We have a lot of experience, but we also have a lot of young guys that can really play.”
Those three have played a big part in helping along a young, talented group of receivers, including Kent Shelby, who missed the 2013 slate after clearinghouse issues with the NCAA.
Shelby wasn’t ruled ineligible until midway through fall camp last season, so the practices he did take part in, his performance made some folks take notice quickly.
“We have a bunch of young guys with ability,” co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Tim Leger said. “The thing is the transition of the speed of the game for those guys at the college (level). We’re playing a lot of man coverage on the defensive side of the ball in camp. You don’t see a lot of press-man in high school and those guys are seeing it every day in camp. Plus, we’re heavy installing every day.
“They’re a little overwhelmed with the speed of the game and a little overwhelmed with everything they’re having to retain every day,” Leger said. “But you see flashes, so we’re excited about all the young guys, and hopefully as they continue to develop, things will get better for them.”
Shelby stands 6-foot-3 and is not afraid to go after the ball.
“Last year was tough for me having to redshirt,” Shelby said. “Now I’m getting my feet under me and ready for the season. The veterans are doing a great job of showing me the ropes and showing me different things on how I can be a better receiver.”
In addition to Shelby, the Cowboy receiving group includes sophomore Khalil Thomas (2 catches for 18 yards), David Bush (20-194), Damon Gladney (7-114) as well as Deltoine Scott and incoming freshmen Demond Delahoussaye, Kylon Highshaw and Jamari Payne, all of whom could see some action this fall.
The tight end spot is another strong position for the Cowboys despite losing Jacobs to the NFL Draft following his junior year.
McNeese retains preseason all-conference sophomore Zach Hetrick (3-16, 2 touchdowns), senior Kendale Thomas (6-73), and newcomer Deondre Skinner, a Patterson alum who originally signed with Houston in 2013 and then Tulane in February. Skinner’s joining McNeese was reported in June news release issued by the school.
“Zach has been a huge addition for us,” Leger said about Hetrick moving from the defensive side of the ball prior to last season. “He’s a very consistent and intelligent player. He’s very tough and very instinctive. He’s done well.
“Deondre is a big and physical guy who was recruited by several SEC schools,” Leger added. “We’re very fortunate to have them, along with Kendale, at the tight end position. They all bring a physical element to run block but they also have good wide receiving skills.”
The Cowboys will continue camp today at 4:30 p.m. and will scrimmage for the first time in camp Saturday at 6 p.m.