Pine’s Markel Cotton has signed a letter of intent to attend McNeese State University and play football for the Cowboys.
“I liked it. My mom liked it. It felt like home,” Cotton said. “It felt like a place I could live at. I just liked the place, period. It was family once I got there. They showed me lots of love and that’s what I liked about it, they actually showed that they wanted me.”
The senior wide receiver turned in a solid season.
Cotton was a first-team all-district 9-2A player. He caught 40 passes for 701 yards (17.5 yards per reception) and five touchdowns this season.
Pine coach Bradley Seal said McNeese is getting what teams want in a receiver.
“Big body, great speed, he knows football real well. They’re getting an all-around good football player,” Seal said.
Seal said that Cotton is the type of guy that you never have to question if he is doing the right thing.
“He doesn’t say too much, he just kind of does what he’s supposed to do. You never question what he’s doing off the field,” Seal said.
Seal said Cotton’s straight-line speed is his biggest strength.
“When he turns it on, he can go,” Seal said.
McNeese State, which is located in Lake Charles, went 6-5 in 2018. The team posted a 9-2 record in 2017.
Although McNeese State University is not an extremely long drive, local fans that want a shorter ride to see Cotton play in college will want to keep up with the Cowboys’ schedule. The team plays in the Southland Conference, which features Southeastern Louisiana University.
Cotton plans on majoring in engineering.