Louisiana-Monroe's proximity to Arkansas paid dividends for the Warhawks in coach Todd Berry's second recruiting class.

Six players from across Louisiana's northern state line were among the 21 signees Berry announced.

But the key signee may be coming from the west.

Running back DeVontae McNeal out of Quitman, Texas, may be the answer to the Warhawks' anemic running attack.

McNeal, given three stars in ratings by Rivals.com, topped the 200-yard mark rushing seven times as a senior with a high of 348 yards on 30 carries in one game.

He had 352 yards rushing in one game as a junior on his way to a 1,386-yard season.

McNeal, who weighs in at 215 pounds on a 5-11 frame, essentially will be competing against a couple of sophomores, Jyruss Edwards and Centarius Donald for playing time. They are ULM's only returnees at running back who logged a carry in 2010.

TOP OF THE CLASS

QB Earnest Carrington (Atascocita High, Humble, Texas) -- Carrington got a three-star rating from Scout.com after ending his prep career with 29 touchdown passes and seven other TDs rushing. He and signee Brayle Brown (Shawnee, Okla.) look to battle for the backup job behind incumbent starter Kolton Browning.

WR Justin Ginyard (Ouachita Parish, Monroe, La.) -- Ginyard could have a tough time finding early playing time with the Warhawks returning all six receivers from their two-deep. Rivals.com gave him a three-star rating after he had 36 receptions over his final two years in high school.

RB DeVontae McNeal (Quitman, Texas) -- The Warhakws need help in their running game for sure after RB Frank Goodin ended his career by leading the team in rushing with just 476 yards. McNeal averaged 8.1 yards per carry as a senior for Quitman.

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