The Northwestern State football team added a measure of experience as it heads toward the start of its offseason – especially on the defensive side of the ball.

Second-year NSU head coach Blaine McCorkle announced Wednesday the addition of eight transfers to the Demon roster, helping reload the Demon defense.

Joining the Northwestern roster for the upcoming 2025 season are linebackers Kabriel Anderson-Dale (from North Texas), Ben Bienvenu (UL Lafayette), Barrett Newman (Liberty), defensive linemen Quintin Cook (Texas Southern), Elijah Sims (Abilene Christian), defensive backs Kolbe Cage (Southern Miss) and Je’Careon Lathan (Texas State) and kicker/punter Cooper Evans (South Florida).

Five of the transfers are Louisiana products with four of them returning to their home state. Bienvenu, the lone in-state transfer, comes back to his hometown after a standout prep career at St. Mary’s.

“I am thrilled to announce the addition of these eight young men to our roster,” McCorkle said. “They are all guys who add tremendous experience where we need it most — the defensive side of the ball — as well as at kicker. It is no secret that our numbers were low on defense, and our staff went to work and found the right guys to fit our needs.

“I am also very excited that we found guys in the portal that are from our geographic region, guys who will be excited to play in Natchitoches, who are running to something and not from something, which can be an easy trap to fall into when working the portal. I think we did just that in the winter with the guys we brought in as they all have bought into our culture and molded with our team very well and very fast. 

“We don’t want to make a living in the portal, but going into year two, it is a bit of a necessity as we are still working to balance our roster by classes after losing so many players two seasons ago. This really keeps us on track and, again, I’m very proud of the work coach JWill (recruiting coordinator Justin Williamson) and the staff did to put this together.”

Bienvenu, a 6-2, 220-pounder, redshirted in his one season with the Ragin’ Cajuns.

At St. Mary’s – where he played his home games in Turpin Stadium – Bienvenu earned two first-team all-district honors at both tight end and wide receiver while helping the Tigers reach a pair of state quarterfinals.

A versatile athlete, Bienvenu also was a two-time, first-team all-district baseball outfielder and a two-time, first-team all-district basketball power forward. He also was a two-time state track and field meet qualifier and district champion in the shot put who also qualified for the state tournament in tennis.

“It is very exciting to have Ben back home where he belongs,” McCorkle said. “In his year away from Natchitoches, he has really grown both physically and as a football player. I know his family has a ton of history at NSU and there are a lot of folks in town who will be excited to see him in purple. He has 4 years to go and will add a ton to both the locker room and playing field.” 

Like Bienvenu, Newman (6-1, 225) is returning to familiar territory.

A Bossier City native who prepped at Parkway High School, Newman was part of the 2023 Conference USA championship team at Liberty and two bowl-bound Flames’ teams, advancing to the Fiesta Bowl and the Bahamas Bowl while being named to the C-USA Honor Roll and the Dean’s List.

Prior to his time at Liberty, Newman was a two-sport standout at Parkway, lettering four years in football and baseball.

As a senior, Newman was named all-state, all-metro and all-district on the gridiron while earning all-parish MVP honors while serving as the Panthers’ captain. He earned all-metro, all-district and all-parish honors as a junior.

Newman was a two-time all-metro, all-district and all-parish baseball player who earned all-state honors as a senior.

“Barrett is one of three young linebackers we are bringing in that I think can both build great depth for the future while having an opportunity to play significant snaps in a hurry,” McCorkle said. “Like Ben, Barrett and his family are well connected here at NSU, and it’s great to have him back in his home territory where he belongs. He is coming highly recommended and from a great program at Liberty and will know how to work and understand the high standards of our program when he arrives.” 

The trio of linebackers is joined by a pair of linemen and two safeties. For extensive information about each of the transfers, visit NSUDemons.com.