Louisiana Christian University’s incoming football recruiting class includes local players Luke Landry (Catholic High), Makharee Narcisse (St. Martinville), Marcus Eichelberger (St. Martinville) and Kylon Polk (Loreauville).

Landry was contacted by LCU assistant Josh Graham during Catholic High’s state championship playoff run. After the Panthers upset powerful Calvary Baptist on the road, LCU head coach Ben McLaughlin extended a scholarship offer to the quarterback. 

“He said he loved the way I play,” Landry said. “He said I’m a great leader who would be a good part of their program. I felt like coach Ben is a great game coach. He wants to build the program through younger guys. I like that.”

Landry, who led the Panthers to a 13-1 record while passing for nearly 3,000 yards with 39 touchdowns and only three interceptions, visited the LCU campus in Pineville late last month. 

“They have every resource,” he said. “Good dorms…it’s a nice place. The next week, I visited Arkansas-Monticello. I liked it there too, but I wanted to go somewhere where I can get playing time quicker and develop more in games.”

Landry said the next couple days after the two visits were stressful as he mulled over his options. Ultimately, the prospect of early playing time and the chance to stay in-state for college tilted the scales in LCU’s favor. 

The left-handed thrower is busy preparing for the upcoming CHS baseball season. Expectations are high for the Panthers, who will field a stellar pitching staff that includes JD Hidalgo, Luke Hewitt, Owen Morris, Lane Fenske and Landry.

Narcisse was pegged for a breakout season at receiver after splitting the football the past two years with current college players Harvey Broussard and Cullen Charles.

An injury at quarterback forced SMSH head coach Vincent DeRouen to move Narcisse to that position for much of the season.

“Makharee was outstanding for us,” DeRouen said. “Before we switched him to quarterback, he was having an outstanding season at receiver. He made some big-time catches. Even on defense at free safety, he made big plays.

“He’s definitely a great leader. I wish he would’ve had more film to get out at receiver, but Makharee will make his way no matter where he goes.”

LCU began to recruit Narcisse heavily in December. He visited the school in January and was impressed by the scenery and tranquility of the small campus. Most of all, he was blown away by the food.

“LCU is a great college,” he said. “It fits me as a person. I feel their playbook fits me as a receiver. I can go up and make plays. I want to get there and get as much playing time as possible by showing the coaches that I can be the guy to step up.”

Narcisse, who is finishing up his basketball season, caught 37 passes during his senior campaign in football for 565 yards and rushed for 364 yards on 44 carries with seven touchdowns.

“He will be a big-time college player,” DeRouen said. “He’s a hard worker who is never going to just settle. The sky is the limit.”

Eichelberger, a cornerback, guarded the opposing team’s no. 1 receiver and took that option away the overwhelming majority of the time, DeRouen said. 

“Nobody threw his way,” DeRouen said.