Sulphur High wide receiver Will Hassien won’t have to travel far or even change his wardrobe when he begins his college football career in the fall. Hassien signed his National Letter of Intent with McNeese State University on Wednesday in the Sulphur High School auditorium.
Hassien was recruited by McNeese, Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern but said he choose the Cowboys for the close proximity to home so his family could watch and the Cowboys’ winning tradition.
“(I picked McNeese) So my family can watch me and being close to home and they (McNeese) can win,” Hassien said. “I went over there (Southeastern) and hung out with Sulphur kids and it felt comfortable.
“McNeese felt way more comfortable for me. I love McNeese.”
McNeese State head coach Matt Viator talked about not only Hassien’s athletic ability but his solid academics as well at a press conference on Wednesday at the McNeese Baseball indoor facility.
“We think he's very dynamic,” Viator said. “He had an excellent year as a receiver.
“He has the ability to do things after he catches the ball, which we are excited about. We know we are getting a great player, but it's a plus that we are getting also a really good student and a really good person too. We are looking for him to come in and compete and play. We certainly think he's mature enough. He's been a part of a great program. He knows how to practice and knows how to compete and knows how to do it at a high level. So we expect big things from him quick.”
There are not many positions Hassien has not played in his four years at Sulphur High. He was a receiver in his freshman and sophomore season. He moved to tailback as a junior and back to wide receiver in his senior year. Between all that he also played some defensive back, returned punts and kickoffs and even did some kickoffs and extra points.
“I think that is the first thing that comes to mind is all the things that he did for our program,” former Sulphur High head coach Paul Bourgeois said. “I think in the long run it all paid out for him with the experience at different positions.
“Most of the time in college you specialize more in your position. He will offer one of the hardest workers they will have. He is a guy that is going to be very stable and is very consistent about taking care of his business being there every day and he has a 3.7 gpa. He is going to give them everything.”
