How Nicholls QB Kohen Granier did best to impress at Manning camp in shadow of Bryce Young and others

The Manning Passing Academy has brought some of the biggest names in college football to Thibodaux this weekend.

Famous college football quarterbacks such as Alabama’s Bryce Young, South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler and LSU’s Myles Brennan have captured most of the attention among media members and fans attending the annual camp at Nicholls.

But Kohen Granier, the hometown quarterback from Nicholls football, wanted to showcase his skills while competing against top college quarterbacks during the Manning Camp's Friday Night Lights passing demonstration in John L. Guidry Stadium. It was his first time being invited by the Manning Camp to participate in the event.

Grainer hit on two of his three throws at a moving target on golf carts from 10, 20 and 40 yards out. Other quarterbacks like Young and Rattler missed on several attempts at the target. Granier and the other quarterbacks also displayed their arms by throwing deep balls into the end zone from 50 yards out. Houston’s Clayton Tune won the competition

“You always want to compete in everything you do,” Granier said. “I have a competitive chip on my shoulder coming from a small school, but we’re going to have fun and compete with all these great quarterbacks here. It’s great to finally be able to participate and be a mentor to these kids here at Manning Camp."

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The 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior quarterback from Destrehan passed for 616 yards and four touchdowns in eight games last season. He split playing time with former starting quarterback Lindsey Scott, who has transferred to Incarnate Word after the season.

Granier said he is happy to finally get his chance to be a full-time starting quarterback. He spent his first two seasons playing behind former Nicholls star Chase Fourcade, who led Nicholls to Southland Conference championships in 2018 and 2019.

“It's a great experience,” Granier said. “I’ve been sitting on the sideline watching for years. I finally feel like this is my team. I’ve waited a long time to play in this role and I’m just excited to get it going.”

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Fourcade, who spent time playing for the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL this year, said Granier is no longer a secret hidden on Nicholls’ roster.

“It’s great to see him showing out like he always does,” Fourcade said. “He’s got a big role to fill and I’ll help him anyway I can. He’s had a great summer. He’s got a great cast around him. Everybody is doing their thing. I can’t wait to see how he plays this fall.”

Granier said both Fourcade and Scott have helped him prepare for the starting quarterback role. 

“Both of those guys were different quarterbacks,” Granier said. “It’s always good to get to meet those guys and learn off of them. Chase was a real good leader. I learned a lot from him being a leader. He taught me how to be a leader everyday not matter how they feel. Lindsey taught how to compete and show out every day not matter and also being a good teammate at the same time.”

Now Granier said his goals are to help Nicholls compete for another Southland championship this fall. The Colonels finished 6-5 in 2021 .

“The main thing I want to bring to this team is just bringing back the competitive spirit we used to have,” Grainer said. “I feel like we’ve kind of gotten away from it the last couple of years. We want to bring that back. I want to do whatever to help my team win.”

Reach Chris Singleton at 985-857-2213 or chris.singleton@houmatoday.com and on Twitter @courierchris.