NEW ORLEANS (April 8, 2025) – The Allstate Sugar Bowl Chapter of the National Football Foundation/College Hall of Fame held its 2025 Awards Luncheon presented by LCMC Health on Tuesday afternoon at the Audubon Tea Room. The highlight of the event was the announcement of the winners of five college scholarships from the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Official Trading Cards for 2025 Sugar Bowl Scholar Athletes
 
Thirty-seven local high school football players were recognized for their achievements in the classroom, in the community and on the football field. The honorees were chosen from a group of scholar athletes from the New Orleans area that were nominated by their schools. Each of the 37 student athletes was introduced individually with their accomplishments highlighted at the event. From that group of 37, five were selected to receive Allstate Sugar Bowl Scholarships: four for $10,000 and one for $20,000 each. The scholarship winners were chosen based on their accomplishments as well as essays submitted after being notified of their selection as scholar-athletes.
 
"First of all, congratulations to all the scholar athletes in attendance today for their hard work in the classroom, in the community AND on the football field," said Sugar Bowl President Dottie Reese. "While all 37 of our scholar-athletes represent a high level of achievement, it is our distinct honor to recognize five student-athletes with Allstate Sugar Bowl Scholarships based on their accomplishments and the essays they submitted."
 
Desmond Beasley from Salmen High School was the recipient of the $20,000 Oliver Delery Scholarship, named for the Sugar Bowl Committee-member and past president who passed away in 2020. The $10,000 scholarships were awarded to Brennon Johnson (Bonnabel Magnet School), Josiah Rashad Mitchell (Thomas Jefferson Academy), Davion Robertson (John Ehret High School), and Justin Wells (Isidore Newman School).
  In addition to the high school honorees, two sports industry leaders were recognized for their contributions to the community and the sport of football.
 
Nelson Stewart, who recently announced a move to Georgia, had an exceptional 19-year coaching career at Isidore Newman School, posting a record of 162-54 with state playoff appearances in all 19 seasons. Stewart was presented with the Contribution to Amateur Football Award, which is given annually to an individual for his or her effort to promote the game, preserve its history and ensure its future. His teams advanced to the state semifinals and quarterfinals six times each in addition to clinching seven district championships, exemplifying his consistent success and ability to build competitive teams.
 
Vernon Brinson, a member of the Sugar Bowl Committee since 1973 who has built a reputation as a tireless supporter of the organization and its mission to boost the city through amateur sporting events, was presented with the Distinguished American Award, which is presented each year to an individual who has set the standard for a life of service to the community and has made a significant contribution to the betterment of amateur football. Most recently, Brinson solidified his position as a renowned philanthropist with a significant financial donation to support the Allstate Sugar Bowl scholarships provided to talented student-athlete football players at this event. He served as the President of the organization for the 1993 Sugar Bowl when Alabama upset top-ranked Miami to win the national championship.
 
The New Orleans Chapter of the National Football Foundation was established in 1971. The Sugar Bowl took over sponsorship of the chapter in 2000 and since then it has recognized over 700 student-athletes while distributing over $800,000 in scholarship money.
 
2024-25 National Football Foundation Scholar Athletes (alphabetical by high school):
 
Brody Smith (Archbishop Hannan High School)
Quarterback; Head Coach: Steve Soper
Academic Achievements: Honor roll. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-time all-district; Manning Award Futures selection; also lettered in baseball. Will play baseball at Delgado.
 
Peyton Depolitte (Archbishop Rummel High School)
Defensive Back; Head Coach: Nick Monica
Academic Achievements: LHSAA Academic All-State. Athletic Achievements: Three-year letterman; all-district; had a two-interception effort in the state playoffs; also lettered in baseball. Extracurricular Activities: Big Brother; Student Council; Campus Ministry. Will play football at Millsaps College this fall.
 
Gavin Richard (Archbishop Shaw High School)
Wide Receiver; Head Coach: Hank Tierney
Academic Achievements: WGNO Scholar Athlete of the Year; Honor Roll all four years; National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta; projected class valedictorian. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman and three-year starter; team captain; state champion; three-time district champion; three-time all-district; also lettered in baseball and earned all-district honors. Extracurricular Activities: Student Ambassador, Peer Ministry; Giving Hope food pantry volunteer. Plans to attend LSU.
 
Noah Tierney (Benjamin Franklin High School)
Quarterback; Head Coach: Terry Wilson
Academic Achievements: National Honor Society; George Eastman Young Leaders Award; Tulane University's Distinguished Scholars Award; AP Scholar. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-year starter; three-year team captain. Extracurricular Activities: Big Brother; Camp Counselor; Co-President of Coding Club; Robotics Team. Undecided on college choice.
 
Brennon Johnson (Bonnabel High School)
Running Back; Head Coach: B.J. Cohen
Academic Achievements: Principal's List; National Honor Society; Jefferson Parish All-Academic Team. Athletic Achievements: Team captain; Coach's Award; district runner-up. Extracurricular Activities: Entourage Community Service Organization. Plans to attend the University of Louisiana.
 
Nathan Malek (Brother Martin High School)
Defensive Line; Head Coach Mark Bonis
Academic Achievements: Principal's Honor Roll every year; National Honor Society. Athletic Achievements: Five-year letterman; team captain; two-time all-district; all-state; Bob Conlin Award winner - team's top honor; Clarion Herald Elite Team; also lettered in powerlifting and was the South Regional Champion. Extracurricular Activities: Rugby; Student Recruiter; Miracle League volunteer; homeless shelter volunteer. Plans to attend the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.
 
Caleb Natividad (Brother Martin High School)
Linebacker; Head Coach Mark Bonis
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll every semester; National Honor Society; Brother Martin Scholarship Recipient. Athletic Achievements: Five-year letterman; team captain; team's Tough Award for the player who emulates the characteristics and principles of an ideal teammate; also lettered in wrestling. Extracurricular Activities: Student Ambassador; Miracle League volunteer; Second Harvest Food Bank volunteer.  Plans to attend LSU.
 
Anthony Chase Blackwell (Covington High School)
Linebacker; Head Coach: Greg Salter
Academic Achievements: Dean's List all four years; National Honor Society. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; three-time all-district selection; team captain; Perseverance Award. Extracurricular Activities: Covington High School Beautification Day; Celebrate America volunteer; Vacation Bible School; Academic Clinic volunteer. Plans to attend Southeastern Louisiana.
 
Caden Heck (Covington High School)
Quarterback; Head Coach: Greg Salter
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll all four years. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; all-district; all-state; team captain; Coach's Award; Manning Award Futures selection; also lettered in track and field as a pole vaulter and sprinter. Extracurricular Activities: Fellowship of Christian Athletes; Youth Sports Referee. Plans to attend Southeastern Louisiana.
 
Evan Arceneaux (De La Salle High School)
Quarterback; Head Coach: Graham Jarrott
Academic Achievements: Three years on the Honor Roll. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-time team captain; two-time all-district; Manning Award Futures honoree; team offensive MVP; set school passing yardage and touchdown records. Extracurricular Activities: Biddy basketball and baseball coach at Mike Miley Playground. Plans to attend the Maine Maritime Academy.
 
Ian Fields II (De La Salle High School)
Defensive Line; Head Coach: Graham Jarrott
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll every semester of junior and senior years. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; team captain; two-time all-district; Clarion Herald Elite Team; all-metro; also starred in track and field, earning the district championship in the shot put. Extracurricular Activities: Retreat team leader; Student Council Parliamentarian; ACE mentorship. Plans to attend Southern University.
 
David Johnson Jr. (East Jefferson High School)
Wide Receiver/Defensive Back; Head Coach: Brian Glover
Academic Achievements: Class rank is third of over 300 students; East Jefferson Student of the Year; Jefferson Parish Student of the Year nominee; Superintendent's Honor Roll; National Honor Society. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-time team captain; two-time all-district; also lettered in basketball and track; two-time state qualifier in track; team's top defender in basketball. Extracurricular Activities: Blue Moon Theater; Thespian Society; Big Brother; Student Council. Plans to attend LSU.
 
Drake Dichiara (Fontainebleau High School)
Quarterback; Head Coach: Johnny Kavanaugh
Academic Achievements: A/B Honor Roll for four years; LHSAA Academic All-State; National Honor Society. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-time team captain; all-district; Manning Award Futures honoree; also lettered in basketball. Extracurricular Activities: FCA Vice President; Next Generation Club; Trinity Church Youth Group Leader; Leader in Me Club; School Ambassador. Plans to attend Southern Mississippi.
 
Kedrick Gutter Jr. (George Washington Carver High School)
D-Line/Offensive Line; Head Coach: Luis Figueroa
Academic Achievements: Principal's Honor Roll. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-time team captain; two-time all-district selection; also lettered in baseball. Undecided on college choice.
 
Dominic Patella (Haynes Academy)
Defensive Back/Quarterback; Head Coach: Ben Powell
Academic Achievements: National Honor Society; Honor Roll; LHSAA Academic All-State. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; team captain; district championship and undefeated regular season in 2024; also lettered in baseball and won two district championships. Extracurricular Activities: Key Club; Student Council; Unashamed Youth Ministry; Bag Hunger volunteer. Plans to attend LSU.
 
Joshua Adams Jr. (Holy Cross School)
Offensive Line; Head Coach: Scott Wattigny
Academic Achievements: National Honor Society; Multiple Bronze Medallions for highest grade in class; many AP and Honors Classes. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; team captain; Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club Scholar Athlete of the Week; football scholar award; Pillars Award. Extracurricular Activities: Student Council; Eucharistic Minister; Campus Ministry Club; Ozanam Inn volunteer. Plans to attend LSU.
 
Eli Friend (Isidore Newman School)
Quarterback; Head Coach: Nelson Stewart
Academic Achievements: Cum Laude Society; WGNO Scholar Athlete of the Week. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; team captain; two-time all-district; all-state; District Offensive MVP; Team Offensive MVP; Manning Award Futures selection. Extracurricular Activities: Peer Leader; President of Jewish Culture Club; Red Carpet Day Leader with Heart of Passion; Creative Intern with NIEUX Society; Summer Camp Counselor. Will play football at Princeton University.
 
Justin Wells (Isidore Newman School)
Defensive Line; Head Coach: Nelson Stewart
Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; three-year starter; team captain; all-district; district championship; undefeated regular season. Extracurricular Activities: Choir; Peer Leader; Breakthrough Volunteer; DEI Film Festival Coordinator; Bean Club (Black Experience at Newman). Undecided on college choice.
 
Jason Curtis (John Curtis Christian School)
Defensive Back; Head Coach: J.T. Curtis
Academic Achievements: National Honor Society; Honor Scholar Award; George Eastman Young Leaders Award. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; four-year starter; team captain; all-district; state championship in 2022; also lettered in baseball and golf; two-time state finalist in baseball; Leadership Award for golf. Extracurricular Activities: FCA; Spirit Club; Drama Club. Plans to attend LSU.
 
Davion Robertson (John Ehret High School)
Offensive Line; Head Coach: Reggie Rogers
Academic Achievements: Superintendent's Honor Roll; IBO Certificate Candidate; ranked No. 4 in the senior class. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-year starter; team captain; all-district; team's Top Offensive Lineman; Jefferson Parish All-Academic Team. Plans to attend Louisiana Tech.
 
Beau Bernard (Lakeshore High School)
Quarterback; Head Coach: Brett Indest
Academic Achievements: National Honor Society. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-time team captain; two-time all-district; Top Titan Award; Manning Award Futures selection. Extracurricular Activities: Church volunteer. Plans to attend LSU.
 
Tylen Coleman (Livingston Collegiate Academy)
Wide Receiver; Head Coach: Devon Francois
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; National Honor Society. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; team captain; all-district; caught the game-winning TD pass with 47 seconds to go in a state playoff win over Douglass; also lettered in track and field. Plans to attend Langston University.
 
Alijah McNeese (L.B. Landry High School)
Defensive End; Head Coach: Carl Spicer
Academic Achievements: National Honor Society; Honor Roll. Athletic Achievements: Starter and letterman; team captain; all-district; also lettered in basketball. Extracurricular Activities: Just Keep Livin' Foundation. Undecided on college choice.
 
Wyatt Hammant (Mandeville High School)
Linebacker; Head Coach: Craig Jones
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; LHSAA Academic All-State. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; three-time team captain; two-time all-district; team Co-Defensive MVP; All-Parish; Northshore All Star Team; Coaches Award. Extracurricular Activities: Builders Association; FCA; Skipper Buddies; Open Mic Club; Talented Art Program. Plans to attend LSU.
 
Chase McCarthy (Mandeville High School)
Linebacker; Head Coach: Craig Jones
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll for all four years; LHSAA Academic All-State; Most Outstanding in Dual Enrollment. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-time team captain; two-time all-district; team Co-Defensive MVP; All-Parish; also lettered in basketball. Extracurricular Activities: FCA; youth basketball camp counselor; volunteer referee; Skipper Buddies. Plans to attend the University of Mississippi.
 
Reagan Touchstone (Mandeville High School)
Offensive Line; Head Coach: Craig Jones
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll all four years; LHSAA Academic All-State. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-time team captain; three-time all-district; All-Parish; Skipper Award; also lettered in baseball for four years. Extracurricular Activities: FCA; Skipper Buddies; Big Brother. Plans to attend Millsaps College.
 
Simeon Washington Jr. (McDonogh 35 High School)
Defensive Back; Head Coach: Frank Daggs
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll for four years. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; team captain; all-district; also lettered in track and field. Extracurricular Activities: FCA; community volunteer. Plans to attend Mississippi State.
 
Mason Beach (Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy)
Linebacker; Head Coach: Kenny Bourgeois
Academic Achievements: National Honor Society. Athletic Achievements: Five-year letterman; team captain; all-district; also lettered in basketball, baseball, track, and swimming. Extracurricular Activities: St. Martin's Summer Camp lifeguard and swim instructor. Plans to attend LSU.
 
DeReyon Jenkins Jr. (Pope John Paul II Catholic High School)
Linebacker; Head Coach: Philip Pigott
Academic Achievements: National Honor Society; Honor Roll all four years. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; team captain; three-time all-district; two-time all-state; all-metro; team Defensive MVP; Iron Jaguar Award; also lettered in powerlifting. Extracurricular Activities: Church Youth Group volunteer. Will play football at Rice University.
 
Sean Smith (Pope John Paul II Catholic High School)
Offensive Line; Head Coach: Philip Pigott
Academic Achievements: National Honor Society; Honor Roll all five years; LHSAA Academic All-State. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman and three-year starter; team captain; two-time all-district; team Outstanding Lineman; Iron Jaguar Award; also lettered in powerlifting for state finalist team. Extracurricular Activities: Mu Alpha Theta. Plans to attend LSU or Southern Miss.
 
Terrence Cormier (St. Augustine School)
Offensive Line; Head Coach: Robert Valdez
Academic Achievements: National Honor Society; Honor Roll every semester; National High School Scholars; LHSAA Academic All-State. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; two-year starter at right tackle. Extracurricular Activities: Student Government Association President; Jr. Zulu Mentor; Golden Feather Hunters Indian Tribe; volunteer church drummer; SUNO internship. Undecided on college choice.
 
Daniel Fink (St. Martin's Episcopal School)
Offensive Line/Defensive Line; Head Coach: Kevin Dizer
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; second place at Literary Rally in Physics. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; team captain; two-time all-district; Burlsworth Character Award; also lettered in baseball for four years. Extracurricular Activities: Life Rank in Boy Scouting of America, working towards Eagle Scout; Earned Private Pilots License. Plans to attend LSU-Alexandria. 
 
Jacob Rebaudo (Saint Paul's School)
Offensive Line; Head Coach: Ken Sears
Academic Achievements: National Honor Society, Honor Roll all four years; Golden Torch Award. Athletic Achievements: Five-year letterman; team captain; all-district; all-state; all-parish. Extracurricular Activities: Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion; Habitat for Humanity Club; participated in annual food drives for Northshore Food Bank. Plans to attend LSU.
 
Drew Talley (Saint Paul's School)
Placekicker; Head Coach: Ken Sears
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll all four years; Golden Torch Award; Perfect Attendance; LHSAA Academic All-State; Friday Night Football Scholar-Athlete. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; team captain; two-time all-district; two-time all-state; all-parish; Clarion Herald Elite Football Team. Extracurricular Activities: Miracle League volunteer; volunteer with Northshore Food Bank. Will play football at Southeastern Louisiana.
 
Desmond Beasley (Salmen High School)
Defensive Back; Head Coach: Eric Chuter
Academic Achievements: National Honor Society; Honor Roll all four years; WGNO Friday Night Football Scholar-Athlete. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; three-year starter; team captain; two-time all-district; all-parish; Team Defensive MVP; Team Leadership Council; also lettered in track and field. Extracurricular Activities: Student Advisory Panel for St. Tammany Parish; student ambassador. Will play football at Louisiana Christian University.
 
Josiah Rashad Mitchell (Thomas Jefferson Academy)
Cornerback/Wide Receiver; Head Coach: Kenny Bush
Academic Achievements: National Honor Society; "A" Honor Roll; National Society of High School Scholars. Athletic Achievements: Four-year letterman; team captain; all-district; also lettered in soccer; two-time soccer team captain; soccer MVP. Extracurricular Activities: Junior Church Usher; Student Council; Key Club. Plans to attend LSU.
 
Jacob Guichet (The Willow School)
Quarterback; Head Coach: JJ Smith
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll; 22 Honors Classes taken. Athletic Achievements: Team captain; Team Lion Heart Award; Manning Award Futures honoree; set school record with seven touchdowns in one game; second all-time at Willow in passing yards; also a three-time all-district selection in baseball. Extracurricular Activities: Student Government; spirit leader; student ambassador; Chess Club; volunteer youth baseball coach. Undecided on college choice.
 
The Allstate Sugar Bowl has established itself as one of the premier college football bowl games, having hosted 29 national champions, 110 Hall of Fame players, 55 Hall of Fame coaches and 21 Heisman Trophy winners in its 91-year history. The 92nd Allstate Sugar Bowl Football Classic, which will double as a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal, is scheduled to be played on January 1, 2026. In addition to football, the Sugar Bowl Committee annually invests over $1 million into the community through the hosting and sponsorship of sporting events, awards, scholarships and clinics.