Photograph: Family and friends gather around Cole Lafleur, who has signed a football scholarship with Northwestern State. (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
For Cole Lafleur, the wait has apparently been worth it.
While Lafleur watched other high school players sign scholarships in December and February, he was more resigned than anxious to wait his turn.
Lafleur evidently remained on the list of freshmen Northwestern State coveted and by the late spring, activity inside the transfer portal did the rest.
Now Lafleur is heading to Natchitoches to begin the second phase of an athletic career as an offensive lineman who seemingly has the athleticism and versatility to play several positions.
The Opelousas Catholic all-district and St. Landry Now.com all-parish lineman is expecting to play either guard or center for the Demons who were searching for blockers after the postseason shuffle caused by transfers leaving that program for other schools.
“I had talked to coaches (from Northwestern) and other schools and I waited while looking at all the portals and seeing the kids who were coming out. There were a number of kids who were moving around and it was then that I had a chance to sign,” Lafleur said during an April signing presentation at the OCS gymnasium.
At Opelousas Catholic Lafleur had the opportunity to play a variety of offensive line positions. From what the coaches at Northwestern have intimated, Lafleur said, he will be moved to one of the inside blocking positions.
Since the end of the 2022 high school football season, Lafleur, now 6-foot-3, has grown and will report at Northwestern weighing 270 pounds.
Former OCS head football coach Thomas David said Lafleur represents the college model of a big player who is smart and maneuverable.
“I think Northwestern is looking at (Lafleur) as a guy who can come in and play center. Cole is a big kid, but he moves well. He also fits what colleges are looking for these days, which are kids who play long, with good size and strength. Cole is the type of player who checks off all those boxes,” David said.
Lafleur said playing the patience card eventually worked in his favor.
“I had several smaller schools that were interested in signing me, so I had that to fall back on. I love the sport and I talked to their coaches and I could sign somewhere if there was room on the roster,” Lafleur added.
