McNeese State University is a public university in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Founded in 1939 as Lake Charles Junior College, it was renamed McNeese Junior College after John McNeese, an early local educator. The present name was adopted in 1970. McNeese is part of the University of Louisiana System and is classified as a Master's University. The selective admissions university consists of six colleges and the Doré School of Graduate Studies. McNeese is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and all programs of study are accredited by their respective national boards.
Chad Owens Sr. is an American former professional football wide receiver and kick returner who played for three years in the National Football League (NFL) and nine years in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Owens played college football at Hawaii. He spent six seasons playing for the Toronto Argonauts, and has also been a member of the Montreal Alouettes, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Rashaun Dorrell Woods is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). Woods played college football for Oklahoma State Cowboys, receiving All-American honors twice, including a consensus selection in 2002. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the NFL's 49ers, the CFL's Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europa. Woods currently coaches at Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas (2023–present).
Raghib Ramadian "Rocket" Ismail is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish before moving on to both the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1991–92 and the National Football League (NFL) from 1993–2001.
Jerome Alvon Mathis is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and kick returner in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL draft. He earned a Pro Bowl selection and was an All-Pro with the Texans in 2005. He also played in the Canadian Football League (NFL) and Arena Football League (AFL).
Juaquin Iglesias is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft.
Adrian Awasom is a former American football defensive end. He was a member of the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL and the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at North Texas.
Justin Charles Medlock is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, earning consensus All-American honors in 2006. The Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL draft. Medlock also played in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers, as well as the Toronto Argonauts, Edmonton Eskimos, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL.
Derek Stanley is a former American football wide receiver. He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.
Jeffrey Alan Fuller, Jr. is a former American football wide receiver. He was most recently a member of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Texas A&M. He has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks in the NFL, and Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL. Fuller is currently CEO of a leading marketing firm, Fuller Marketing Corporation, out of Oklahoma City, OK.
Bryan Smith is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft. He played college football at McNeese State.
Janzen Jackson is a former American football safety. After playing college football for the University of Tennessee and McNeese State, he was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2012.
Gregory M. Jones II is an American former professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans, and was a two-time All-American selection. He was selected by the New York Giants in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft, and won the Super Bowl XLVI with them. He was also a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans of the NFL, the Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL, and the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League (UFL).
Joshua Norwood Jasper is a former American football placekicker.
Greg Childs is a former American football wide receiver. After playing college football for Arkansas, he was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft.
Kendall Thomas Wright is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Baylor Bears, earning All-American honors in 2011. He is their career leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Wright was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the first round, 20th overall, of the 2012 NFL draft.
Trevardo V. Williams is a Jamaican-born former American football defensive end. He played college football at Connecticut, and was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft. Williams was also a member of the Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Redskins, Toronto Argonauts.
DaVaris Daniels is a professional Canadian football wide receiver for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Notre Dame. After going undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft, Daniels signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
Khalil Alexander Paden is an American college football coach and former wide receiver. He is the assistant wide receivers coach for Bryant University, a position he has held since 2022. He played college football at San Jose State and Northern Arizona. He has also been a member of the Sacramento Mountain Lions, Calgary Stampeders, Orlando Predators and Ottawa Redblacks.
Cariel Brooks is an American professional football cornerback for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Adams State. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL).
