Small community made it easy for Erath's Jack Landry to play football for Nicholls

ERATH - Jack Landry grew up in Erath, a town of about 2,000 people, and felt the community’s support throughout his life. That support played a big part in his decision to choose Nicholls State in Thibodaux for the next four years to play college football.
On National Signing Day, Feb. 4, Landry signed a football scholarship to attend Nicholls State.
The signing took place at the Erath gym, with football players, family, and friends in attendance to support him.
He loved the school and the community. Another reason he chose Nicholls State is that Thibodaux is just 90 minutes south of Erath.
Nicholls State started showing interest in the middle of the 2025 season. The Erath quarterback visited the university earlier this month.
“I fell in love with that place,” Landry said on Wednesday. “The people. The staff and everyone’s involvement with the community. The culture that is at Nicholls is something I want to be a part of.”
He found out that Nicholls State players visit local schools, interact with students, and volunteer in the community. Landry said he plans to continue that tradition.
Another factor in his decision was knowing that two former Vermilion Parish football players are already on the Nicholls State roster.
Vermilion Catholic graduates Jonathan Dartez and Travin Moore are moving up the depth chart at Nicholls State.
Landry said Dartez gave him encouraging words about Nicholls State’s football program.
When the season starts, Landry will be one of five quarterbacks on the depth chart. Nicholls opens the 2026 season on the road against Kansas State.
“I plan to go to Nicholls and work hard to earn my spot,” Landry said. “If they redshirt me, that’s fine. I still plan to get some work done.”
Last football season, the Colonels finished 4-8 overall and 4-4 in the Southland Conference.
Landry led the Bobcats to their first 10-0 season. This year, he passed for 1,400 yards, and over the last two years, he has thrown for about 3,000 yards combined.
Even with his strong stats and the Bobcats’ success, Landry wasn’t recruited during his junior year and part of his senior year. But as the team kept winning, colleges started to notice.
“I had people telling me that I had great talent. I did not really have any doubts, but I knew it was a waiting game. I knew I had to be patient. When they began noticing me, I really began to get excited,” Landry said.