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The football program at Louisiana Christian University, which is coming off a historic season, is stockpiling local players for the long haul.

The Wildcats announced a signing class of more than 60 high school seniors this year. Fifteen are from the Acadiana metro area, including St. Martinville Senior High lineman Dillan Phillips.

The 6-foot-0, 270-pound Phillips participated in the Wildcats’ camp last summer, attended their first home game against East Texas Baptist, landed a scholarship offer in January and verbally committed shortly thereafter.

“The coaches like how I move, and how I’m aggressive and physical at the point of attack,” said Phillips, who started on offense and defense as a senior at SMSH.

LCU posted a 9-2 record in 2023 and won its first league championship by defeating nationally ranked Texas Wesleyan in the Sooner Athletic Conference title game. The Wildcats made their first-ever appearance in the NAIA Top 25 afterward.

The nine wins and .818 winning percentage were also program bests for LCU, which has gone 10-0 at home over the past two seasons.

Phillips, who expects to play defense in college, was recruited by coaches Tyson Andrus and David Feaster. Andrus, a Lafayette native, oversees the secondary and is also the defensive coordinator and strength coach.

“I really like coach Tyson as a person and coach,” Phillips said. “I wanted to use this opportunity to play under him.”

Phillips, who won the district championship in the shot put this spring, plans to major in business administration. He is equally fond of working and sleeping, and his favorite activity is cutting grass, whether it’s with a riding mower or pushing a machine.

“It gives me time to think,” said Phillips, who will report to LCU’s campus in August. “The program is going in the right direction. I can’t wait to get up there and get to work.”

Phillips’ father, Paul, who coaches the secondary at SMSH, warned that it will be different on the next level.

“He said I’ll have to work harder than ever,” Dillan said.

Feaster and last year’s head coach, Drew Maddox, departed LCU for other jobs. In Feb., the Wildcats hired former star quarterback Ben McLaughlin as their 25th head coach.