Five Destrehan student-athletes recently put pen to paper upon the opening of the early signing period for college athletes.
Destrehan football players Jhase Thomas (LSU), Phillip Wright III (LSU), Johnnie Thiel IV (Louisiana Tech), softball’s Ava Burkett (Nicholls State) and track and field’s Marley Richard (LSU) each signed their national letters of intent.
The football signings added even more to a season that saw Destrehan turn around after a 2-3 start, win eight games in a row and march into the state semifinals. DHS finished 10-4 this season.
“It represents opportunity,” said Destrehan head football coach Marcus Scott. “Each has been afforded an opportunity that not many people get, and it’s our job to help prepare them to take advantage of that opportunity.”
Wright was originally committed to Michigan before flipping to LSU over the summer. Wright was a big play receiver for the state semifinalist Wildcats this season, just as he’s been throughout his tenure with Destrehan. On a team of big play receivers, Wright was the fastest and proved himself a gamebreaker.
“He really took the next step in terms of leadership. He’s not the most vocal, it’s not his personality – he talked a little bit more, but he really led by example. He really did. I’m extremely proud of his development. Not just athletically, but off the field as well.”
Thiel, meanwhile, will be headed to Louisiana Tech as a wide receiver, the position he manned primarily throughout most of his tenure, but his senior season at Destrehan saw him shift his focus to the defensive side of the ball as he played defensive back. His talents were needed there after an injury sidelined Thomas, who entered the season as the leader of the secondary, for most of the season. Just as he’s done on offense, Thiel made an impact in the Destrehan secondary.
“His versatility was really a huge plus for us as a team,” Scott said. “He’s able to play both sides of the ball and do it at a high level. We knew when Jhase went down, we needed someone with a little bit more big game experience. He was certainly fine with switching over, because that was what was best for the team.”
Thomas battled back from an early season injury that sidelined him for the majority of his senior season to return and play in the state semifinals. The son of former New Orleans Saints star cornerback Fred Thomas, Jhase turned heads in the spring as a hard-hitting safety who most felt was primed for a big season.
“He had a good, solid junior year, but he really had a great spring this year,” Scott said. “He had a great spring game and that catapulted his recruitment as well. He battled back, had surgery and sacrificed to get back for his team. In this day and age, that’s very rare.”
Burkett will take the field for her senior year at Destrehan this spring. She’s proven to be one of the most talented players to ever put on the uniform – last season, she broke the school record for career home runs just 13 games into her junior season. The slugger helped propel Destrehan to a big step forward last season and will look to help the Wildcats take another big step in 2025.
Richard’s prolific talent on the track has earned her multiple championships and medals throughout her prep career. Last season, Richard earned the 5A state championship in the triple jump as well as three individual regional championships and four individual district championships. She’s starred on the track from her freshman season onward.
