Gilmer safety and rotational receiver Kollin Hurt became one of 19 East Texas juniors to own at least one FBS college football scholarship opportunity Tuesday thanks to an offer from Louisiana-Monroe.

The Warhawks later reached out to Gladewater receiver and defensive back Austin Hawley, 14 miles down the road along United States Highway 281. It was Hawley's first FBS offer as well.

Hurt (6-3, 175), who announced the news through his Twitter account, led the region in interceptions last season with 11 through a 15-game campaign as Gilmer worked toward the Class 4A Division II state semifinal round. Five of his picks came in postseason games, an average of one per game.

The new ULM target was one interception off the lead at the end of the regular season to West Rusk safety Kevin Jones. Jones had seven picks through 10 games and finished second overall with 10 in 14 contests.

In addition to ultimately leading the area in picks, Hurt cracked the ETSN.fm tackles leader board with 114. He was also one of 10 Gilmer players to recorded at least 100 yards receiving with 234 yards and three touchdowns on 17 receptions.

Gilmer built up a school-best, 31-game winning streak in the process. The streak dated back to Week 1 of the 2014 season and included the 2014 Class 4A Division II state crown.

The two combined seasons surpassed a 25-game winning streak between an undefeated 2004 slate and a 5-0 start in 2005.

ULM, which is also targeting Hurt's teammate, receiver LaMarcus Morton, entered the mix for Hurt's services on the heels of a 2-11 campaign. The program was granted an extra regular season game by the NCAA for playing Hawaii on the road in a non-conference affair.

Former McNeese State head coach Matt Viator was brought in during the offseason. He replaced Todd Berry, who was fired as the Warhawks worked to a 1-9 start to the season.

Viator posted an overall record of 78-33 in his 10 seasons as McNeese State — including a 54-18 mark in the Southland — and won the conference title a total of four times.

ULM isn't far removed from its own success.

In 2012, the program upset then-No. 8 Arkansas and lost to Auburn and Baylor by a combined eight points in its first three games en route to an Independence Bowl appearance and an 8-5 record. The program posted a 6-6 record in 2013 before tapering off for a 4-8 record in 2014.

ULM's 2016 roster will feature eight former East Texas high school players. In addition to Hurt, Morton and Hawley, Viator's staff has targeted four other players from the region as it works toward completing its 2017 recruiting class.

Hurt will attend the ETSN.fm + APEC Football Recruiting Combine in Tyler on May 22. Like all high school football players currently in their junior year, he will become eligible to sign with any program that offers him in February.

2017 East Texas Football Players With Division I FBS Offers

  • Judah Bell, Tyler Bishop Gorman, WR, 6-3, 180 — offers from Bowling Green, Coastal Carolina, Houston, Kansas, Memphis, Navy, North Texas, SMU, ULL, UTSA (10)
  • Noah Bush, Athens, LB, 6-2, 225 — offer from Army (1)
  • Lagaryonn Carson, Liberty-Eylau, DE, 6-4, 261 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, North Texas, Oklahoma, TCU, Tennessee, Texas A&M (9)
  • Trestan Ebner, Henderson, WR, 5-11, 180 — offers from Arkansas, Houston, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, North Texas, Ole Miss, SMU, Syracuse, UTSA, TCU, Tulsa (12)
  • Montrell Estell, Hooks, WR/DB, 6-2, 180 — offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, Kansas, Notre Dame, SMU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas State, Texas Tech, Tulane (12)
  • Octavius Evans, Center, WR, 6-2, 186 — offers from Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Texas State, ULL (6)
  • Austin Hawley, Gladewater, 6-1, 206 — offer from ULM (1)
  • Kollin Hurt, Gilmer, S, 6-3, 175 — offer from ULM (1)
  • Jordan Johnson, Hooks, ATH, 6-0, 195 — committed to Air Force (1)
  • Kayce Medlock, Arp, ATH, 5-9, 186 — offers from Army, Colorado, SMU, Tulane, ULL (5)
  • Damion Miller, John Tyler, WR, 6-1, 189 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Baylor, Houston, Kansas, Mizzou, North Texas, Oklahoma State; Ole Miss; SMU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech (11)
  • LaMarcus Morton, Gilmer, WR, 6-2, 175 — offer from Arkansas State, Indiana, Texas Tech, Tulsa, ULL, ULM, UTSA (7)
  • Javontavius Mosley, John Tyler, CB, 6-1, 170 — offers from Arkansas State, Houston, North Texas, SMU, Texas State, ULL, ULM, UTSA (8)
  • Dhailon Phillips, Lufkin, WR, 6-3, 195 — offer from Texas State (1)
  • Kordell Rodgers, Lufkin, QB/ATH, 5-10, 165 — offer from Texas State (1)
  • Bryson Smith, John Tyler, QB/ATH, 6-0, 170 — offers from Arkansas State, Bowling Green, Houston, New Mexico, North Texas, Purdue, SMU, Texas State, Tulane, ULL, ULM, UTSA (12)
  • Major Tennison, Bullard, TE, 6-6, 248 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas Tech (11)
  • Josh Thompson, Nacogdoches, CB, 6-0, 180 — offered by Louisiana Tech, Minnesota, Ohio, SMU, Texas State, Tulane, ULM, UTSA, Washington State, Wyoming (10)
  • Traveion Webster, Longview, S, 6-0, 197 — offered by ULM (1)

 

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