Vidalia High senior linebacker Leren Curry committed to Nicholls State University Tuesday.

&uot;They’ve been recruiting me ever since the beginning of the season,&uot; Curry said. &uot;When I went down there this past weekend they told me I could come right in and have the potential to be a starter, that it would be up to me.&uot;

Curry had 136 tackles and three sacks this past season for the Vikings, who finished 10-2, falling to Christian Life in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.

Curry collected 78 solo tackles and also had two fumble recoveries.

The 6-foot, 219-pound senior also considered other Louisiana schools.

&uot;LSU was looking at me before they changed coaching staffs and Louisiana Tech and Tulane were also talking to me,&uot; Curry said.

Curry said the chance to play right away as a true freshman was Nicholls State’s biggest selling point.

&uot;I won’t have to redshirt or wait around until my sophomore year,&uot;&160;he said.

Nicholls State is coached by Darryl Daye of Ferriday, La., who just completed his first year at the Thibodaux, La., school.

Daye arrived at Nicholls State after serving eight seasons on the staff at Liberty University, including the last two as the school’s co-defensive coordinator.

&uot;I think Coach Daye is a cool guy and I figure I can talk to him about anything,&uot; Curry said. &uot;If something goes wrong, I think he will take care of me down there.&uot;

The Colonels, who compete in the Southland Conference, play their home games in John L. Guidry Stadium.

Curry said he plans on majoring in pharmacy.

He scored a 22 on his ACT and is qualified to play next year academically.

&uot;Playing college football is something I always wanted to do,&uot; Curry said, &uot;I’ve been watching it ever since I was little and always wanted to be big like those guys on TV.&uot;

Curry said he needs to work on his strength and agility.

&uot;I ran a 4.5 in the 40 at the LSU camp, so I think I have the speed,&uot; he said.

Signing day is Feb. 2.

Curry is the first of any Miss-Lou athlete to commit to a college.

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