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Sept. 2 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6 Nov. 13 Nov. 20
7 p.m. 5 p.m. 3 p.m. 6 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m. 6 p.m. 1 p.m. 6 p.m. 4 p.m. 4 p.m.
North American University at UTSA+ at Northern Colorado Abilene Christian+ at Sam Houston* at Abilene Christian* Central Arkansas*+ at Eastern Kentucky* at Tarleton State* Jacksonville State*+ Stephen F. Austin*+
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
University Information
School....................................................................Lamar University Location................................................Beaumont, Texas (115,141) Founded...................................................................................1923 Enrollment.............................................................................15,639 Nickname...........................................................................Cardinals Colors....................................................................... Red and White Conference.......................................................................Southland National Affiliation......................................... NCAA Division I - FCS President................................................................ Dr. Jaime Taylor Director of Athletics........................................................ Marco Born Faculty Representative.......................................... Dr. Robert Spina Senior Woman Administrator.........................................Helene Thill Athletics Department............................................... (409) 880-2248 Ticket Office............................................................. (409) 880-1715
Football History
First Year of Football.................................................................1923 First Year as a Senior College..................................................1951 First Year of WAC Football.......................................................2021 All-Time Record (4-year).............................. 220-297-9/50 seasons All-Time WAC Record............................................ 0-0/First Season Western Athletic Conference Championships/Last......First Season NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances/Last...................................1/2018
Coaching Staff
Schedule/Quick Facts..................................................................................................................................................3 University President.....................................................................................................................................................5 Athletics Administration...............................................................................................................................................5 Stadium Map...............................................................................................................................................................6 Parking Map................................................................................................................................................................7 LU Head Coach Blane Morgan................................................................................................................................ 8-9 Patrick Covington/Ron Antoine..................................................................................................................................11 Matt Weikert/Coby Gipson.........................................................................................................................................14 Jackson Eskierka/Austen Jacobs/Cameron Davis....................................................................................................15 Scott Thiessen/Wayne Cordova................................................................................................................................16 Marshall Mann/Dan Darcy/Kristin Willeford...............................................................................................................17 Support Staff..............................................................................................................................................................18 2021 Lamar University Players....................................................................................................19-20, 22-23 & 27-28 Gameday Information.......................................................................................................................................... 23-26 Alumni Affairs....................................................................................................................................................... 31-33
Head Coach................................... Blane Morgan (Air Force, 1999) Record at LU/Seasons..................................... 2-4/Second Season Career/Seasons...................................................................... Same Office Phone............................................................ (409) 880-7157 Offensive Coordinator-OL ....................................Patrick Covington Co-Offensive Coordinator-WRs.................................... Ron Antoine Defensive Coordinator-ILBs.........................................Matt Weikert Recruiting Coordinator-RBs......................................... Coby Gipson Quarterbacks........................................................Jackson Eskierka Tight Ends................................................................ Austen Jacobs Outside Linebackers................................................. Scott Thiessen Defensive Backs..................................................... Wayne Cordova Defensive Linemen.................................................. Cameron Davis Football Operations.................................................. Marshall Mann Strength and Conditioning Coach: .............................. Daniel Darcy Head Athletic Trainer:..............................................Kristin Willeford
Stadium Information
Stadium..................................................Provost Umphrey Stadium Year Opened.......................................... 1964 as Cardinal Stadium Record at Stadium/Seasons............................. 95-97-3/37 seasons Capacity/Surface.................................16,000/FieldTurf Classic HD Press Box Phone..................................................... (409) 880-7489
Team Information
2020 Overall Record....................................................................2-4 2020 Home Record.....................................................................1-2 2020 Away Record......................................................................1-2 2020 WAC Record/Finish.............................................First Season Offensive Formation............................................................ Multiple Defensive Formation......................................................... Base 3-4 Starters Returning/Lost..............................................................23-5 Offensive Starters..................................................................10/1 Defensive Starters...................................................................9/2 Special Team Starters.............................................................4/2 Letterwinners Returning/Lost...................................................52/20
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CARDINALS FOOTBALL
Hello Cardinal Nation! Welcome to the 2021 Lamar University college football season. As president, I am so excited to see the football players and coaching staff in action. My wife Stacy and I are big sports fans and we are looking forward to cheering on our team. We hope to meet as many of you as possible this season. If you see us around campus, please do say hello. You can’t miss us; we’ll be the ones wearing red. This fall marks our first year in the Western Athletic Conference. Although LU is a growing regional university, our students come from 48 states and 17 countries. Our move from the Southland Conference to the WAC now aligns LU with similarly sized institutions across the west and southwest, all of them in regions with strong and emerging economies. The move to the WAC also expands the LU brand to six states, creating greater awareness of the incredible institution we’ve built in Southeast Texas and adding credibility to those who have and will earn degrees from LU. We’re really look forward to showcasing all of our athletic programs in the WAC this year. The football program is especially excited to compete in the unique WAC/ASUN Challenge this fall that will have Big Red up against WAC foes Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, Abilene Christian and Tarleton State, as well as ASUN schools in Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville State. The team will be led by veteran quarterback Jalen Dummett with great offensive talent surrounding him. Our defense looks extremely strong and ready to defend the home turf. While the pandemic has put us all to the test, the work and dedication shown by our football student-athletes during the last 18 months is inspiring. The team is coming off great summer workouts and a challenging, but unique, spring football season. I truly appreciate the leadership provided by Head Coach Blane Morgan and his staff. I hope you feel the excitement of a return to normalcy as we welcome students back to campus. Tailgating is back and so are the halftime performances from the Showcase of Southeast Texas Marching Band! Please join me in cheering on the Cardinals to victory this year! Go Cards! Dr. Jaime R. Taylor Lamar University President
Marco Born
Norman Bellard
Director of Athletics
Asst. to the President/ Community Relations & Athletics Program Liaison
James Dixon
Moses Dupré
Assistant AD/ Media Relations
Assistant AD/ Compliance
Conner Moreno
Sr. Associate AD/ Administration & COO
DeAna Tyler
Director of Athletic Development & Major Gifts
Helene Thill
Jon Washington
Blaire Brevell
Harold Mann
Associate AD/ Academic Affairs
Business Coordinator
Associate AD/ External Affairs
The “Voice” of Cardinal Athletics
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Provost Umphrey Stadium Parking Map
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Blane Morgan
Head Coach - Lamar University 2-4/Second Season A coach with nearly 20 years of experience, Blane Morgan was named Lamar University head coach Dec. 12, 2019, becoming just the third coach since the university re-established the program prior to the 2010 season. Morgan also becomes the program’s 10th head coach since transitioning to a four-year institution. A direct disciple of legendary coaches Rocky Long, Fisher DeBerry and Troy Calhoun, Morgan comes to Beaumont after spending the previous five seasons at San Diego State. During his time with the Aztecs, Morgan produced some of the most talented signal-callers in program history, while helping guide the Aztecs to five consecutive bowl game appearances. In his first season, Morgan was tasked with guiding one of the youngest teams in the nation – 57 freshman – through the rigors of the conference schedule. Despite a depth chart that consisted of 35 underclassmen, including 21 freshmen, the Cardinals stunned the Southland Conference by finishing tied for fifth in the league (after being picked last in the preseason polls). Morgan and his staff managed all this while guiding the program through an unprecedented pandemic. Morgan’s first victory as Cardinals head coach had a storybook ending. Facing rival McNeese, the Cardinals overcame a first-half double-digit deficit to rally for the victory in overtime. Morgan produced
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two all-conference selections during his first season when sophomore defensive back Anthony Ruffin and junior defensive linemen Tylo Phillips were named All-Southland Conference at the end of the season. A once-struggling program, SDSU experienced some of its best results during Morgan’s time on staff. Over the course of his five seasons in San Diego, SDSU recorded a 48-18 (.727) overall record including five bowl appearances, posting a 2-2 (.500) mark in those games. That five-year stretch produced two 11-win campaigns, a 10-win season and two Mountain West Conference championships. Under Morgan’s guidance, the Aztec signal-callers ranked second in the Mountain West, and 12th nationally, in 2018 averaging nearly 15 pass yards per completion. In addition, Morgan oversaw the development of quarterback Ryan Agnew who posted a 6-1 record in seven starts and owned the sixth-highest win percentage nationally among all returning starters with a minimum of seven starts in 2018. Agnew continued that production in 2019 by guiding the Aztecs back to the postseason with a 10-3 (.769) overall record. Morgan joined the San Diego State staff after a highly successful run at the Air Force Academy where he spent 13 seasons, including the final eight as offensive coordinator. During that stretch,
2021 LAMAR UNIVERSITY® FOOTBALL
CARDINALS FOOTBALL the Falcons posted a 59-44 (.573) overall record, a run that included two nine-win seasons and a 10-win campaign. The Falcons also made seven Bowl appearances during that time, posting a 3-4 postseason record. All told, Morgan has helped take his teams to 12 Bowl game appearances in the past 13 seasons. Air Force’s offense excelled under Morgan’s direction. The Falcons’ 2011 squad set a single-season school record by scoring 454 points and finished third all-time in program history in rushing touchdowns (43) and fourth in passing TDs (16). The team’s 60.3 completion percentage was the second-best mark in program history. The Falcons offense received national recognition being ranked as high as 24th nationally in passing efficiency and third in yards per completion. Morgan’s players also received high praise under his direction. Morgan produced Shaun Carney, who graduated in 2008 as the school’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns, yards and total offense. That same season, Morgan also produced the school’s first Mountain West Freshman of the Year with Tim Jefferson. Jefferson won the first five games of his career and became the first Falcon freshman quarterback to start a bowl game.
A native of Addison, Texas, Morgan returns to the state where he has spent the majority of his time focusing his efforts as a recruiter. Morgan recruited the state of Texas for both Air Force and SDSU, and the current Aztec roster bears witness to his work on the recruiting trail. The Aztecs’ 2020 roster consisted of 12 players from the Lone Star State, including seven of those on the depth chart. Among those seven is the current starting quarterback – Ryan Agnew (Southlake, Texas). There is a longstanding love affair with the game of football in the Morgan family. Blane, originally born in Nacogdoches, Texas, played for his father, Barry, at Trinity Christian Academy in Addison. Morgan would go on to play his collegiate football at Air Force, where he was named the 1998 WAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year. Morgan followed in his brother Beau’s footsteps serving as the starting quarterback at both schools. Morgan graduated from the Academy in 1999, and served in the Air Force with the rank of Captain at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas, from July 2000 to February 2003. Morgan, and his wife, Mandy, have two children – a son, Brodie, and a daughter, Camille.
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Patrick Covington Asst. Head Coach/OC/ Offensive Line
Patrick Covington is in his second season serving as Lamar University’s offensive coordinator while coaching the offensive line. Covington comes to Beaumont after spending 10 years at Coastal Carolina working with the Chanticleers’ offensive line – the final season he accepted the added title of assistant head coach. In his first season on staff with LU, Covington led one of the nation’s youngest offensive lines through the rigors of the Southland Conference schedule. On opening day, Big Red’s starting front consisted of two sophomores and three freshmen, with a total of seven freshmen on the depth chart. By season’s end, due to some injuries, the starting front was four freshmen and a sophomore. Despite the lack of experience, the Cards young linemen improved each week. During his time on staff at Coastal Carolina, Covington’s line twice led the Sun Belt in fewest sacks allowed and he produced 18 all-conference selections, including three All-Americans – Jamey Cheatwood, Chad Hamilton and Voghens Larrieux. His lines also protected for several players who would go on to be finalists for the Walter Payton Award. In 2018, the Chants’ offense led the Sun Belt and ranked in the top 25 nationally in rushing yards per game, red zone offense, time of possession, first downs and both third- and fourth-down conversion percentage for much of the
Ron Antoine
Co-Offensive Coordinator/ Wide Receivers Ron Antoine joined the Lamar University coaching staff in January 2020 after spending four seasons at Texas State. He is in his second season working with the Cardinals’ wide receivers and also serves as co-offensive coordinator. Antoine arrived in Beaumont after spending four seasons at Texas State, including three years working with the Bobcat receivers. During that time, Antoine produced some of the Sun Belt’s top talent. During his short stay in San Marcos, two of his athletes garnered All-Sun Belt honors, while Elijah King became just the second Bobcat to record 50 receptions in a season since 2010. Antoine joined Texas State’s staff after working four years as an assistant at Fresno State, where he was the running backs coach for the Bulldogs in 2015 and coached the outside receivers the three previous years. In addition to his role on the sidelines, he also served as the Bulldogs’ recruiting coordinator during his final two seasons on campus. Antoine’s efforts produced a pair of the most productive receivers in school history including current Green Bay Packers second round draft selection, Da-
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season. CCU finished the year ranked in the top 10 nationally in fourth-down conversion percentage (68.8), fewest penalties (52), fewest penalties per game (4.33) and fewest penalty yards (493). During the 2015 season, the line helped CCU lead the Big South in eight different categories, including passing offense, red zone offense and total offense. That season coming on the heels of a 2014 campaign that watched the Chanticleers head back to the NCAA FCS playoffs and finish the regular season with a perfect 11-0 record and ranked No. 1 in the nation during the final two weeks of the regular season. CCU led the nation in fourth down conversions while also ranking among the nation’s top 20 in first downs, third-down conversions, scoring offense and total offense. While Coastal’s line helped the Chanticleers set numerous records and produce several All-Americans and Walter Payton Award candidates, their biggest point pride came from preventing defenses from gaining an advantage. In 2013, the Chanticleers led the nation in fewest tackles for losses allowed per game (3.33) while also ranking among the nation’s leaders in fewest sacks allowed per game (1.33 pg). The foundation for CCU’s front line was established early on during Covington’s tenure in Conway. During his first season, Covington inherited a veteran group which had allowed 25 sacks during each of the previous two seasons, and in his first year surrendered just seven – and never more than one in any game that season. A two-time All-Southern Conference selection Furman, he was rated as the No. 6 guard in all of NCAA FCS (then I-AA) football by The Sports Network. He garnered Sports Network first-team All-American and second-team AP All-American honors during his career. A 2006 graduate of Furman, Covingtonis married to the former Ann Louise Duncan. The couple has a son, Gus, and a daughter, Annie. vante Adams (2014). Adams was named to eight All-America teams in 2013 after shattering Fresno State and Mountain West Conference records with 24 touchdown receptions (to lead the nation). He also led the nation with 131 receptions and was second nationally with 1,718 receiving yards. Adams also set school records with 233 receptions and 38 TD catches, which were also MWC records, in his two-year career. . The Beaumont native went to Fresno after spending two years at South Alabama where he worked with the Jaguars’ wide receivers. There, he coached Courtney Smith who set multiple school single-season receiving records and became the first player in school history to be invited to the Senior Bowl. Prior to his stint in Mobile, Antoine spent two seasons in the Southeastern Conference at the University of Arkansas. During that time, he coached running backs, fullbacks and tight ends. In his first season, the Razorbacks posted wins over a pair of nationally-ranked teams. In his second season, Arkansas finished with an 8-5 record after defeating East Carolina in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Antoine made the jump to the NCAA FBS level after two seasons at Wofford. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Colorado State, where he was a four-year letterman as a wide receiver for the Rams (1993-96). Antoine is a native of Beaumont, where he graduated from West Brook High School. He went on to earn his degree in exercise and sport science at Colorado State in 1997. Antoine received his master’s degree from Ohio in 2000. His wife, Zenarae, is in her eighth season as the head coach of Texas State’s women’s basketball team. They have three sons, Zachary, Zavier and Zayden.
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CARDINALS FOOTBALL Matt Weikert
Defensive Coordinator/ Inside Linebackers Matt Weikert joined the Lamar University coaching staff in January 2020 as the defensive coordinator and works directly with the Cardinals’ inside linebackers. In his first season with the Cardinals, Weikert’s defense produced two all-conference selections despite the squad’s overall youth. Junior defensive end Tylo Phillips and sophomore defensive back Anthony Ruffin both garnered third-team all-league honors as LU stunned the Southland Conference by finishing in a tie for fifth in the league standings. Weikert comes to Beaumont after spending the 2019 season at Vanderbilt working with the Commodores’ outside linebackers. Prior to arriving on the West End, Weikert spent 12 seasons at Air Force, including nine as outside linebackers’ coach. He also worked with the Falcons’ defensive line and inside linebackers during his time with the USAFA. Weikert helped transform Air Force’s defense into one of the top units in the Mountain West Conference, ranking among the league leaders in defensive scoring, rushing, passing and total defense. He also oversaw the development of John Rabold who became one of the top defensive players in the conference in 2007. Rabold was a first-team all-conference selection who recorded 74 tackles and a team-best 17.5 tackles for loss.
Coby Gipson
Recruiting Coordinator/ Running Backs Coby Gipson joined the Lamar University coaching staff in January 2020 taking over as the recruiting coordinator and coaching the Cardinals’ running backs. Gipson comes to LU after spending the 2019 campaign as the defensive line coach at East Texas Baptist University. In his first season with LU, Gipson’s stable of backs finished sixth in the Southland in rushing – a mark that may not seem impressive on the surface to the average fan, but when taking a closer look it becomes very impressive. In the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, LU’s running backs were either freshmen or sophomores, and that stable of backs was running behind an offensive line that was just as young (four freshmen and a sophomore). Big Red’s ground game only got stronger as the season wore on. While at ETBU, Gipson helped the Tigers record their fifth-straight winning season. During the 2019 season, Gipson’s defensive front set the tone for a unit that recorded 82 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Gipson produced two of the league’s more dominant players in 2019, a list that includes a first-team all-conference selection and a true freshman. Anton Clark led ETBU in tackles, tackles for losses and sacks on his way to being honored as one of the top linemen in the American Southwest Conference. As a true freshman, James Wright IV had an immediate impact with the Tigers recording 50 tackles, including 12 for losses, and tying for team-high honors with 6.5 sacks. Gipson joined the ETBU staff from Howard Payne where he spent two
Rabold also had 5.5 quarterback sacks and led the conference with four fumble recoveries in addition to three forced fumbles. In 2009, Air Force had one of its best defenses in school history. The defense led the conference and ranked fifth nationally in pass defense (154.3 ypg). The unit was second in the conference and 11th nationally in total defense, allowing just 288.3 yards per game. The team was second in the league and 10th nationally in scoring defense (15.7), the program’s best mark since 1998. USAFA’s defense also scored five touchdowns in 2009. Weikert served as Wake Forest’s operations and video assistant in 2006 in his second stint at the school. He spent the 2005 season as the outside linebackers’ coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga. Prior to his work in Chattanooga, Weikert worked at Wake Forest for two years as a graduate assistant. The first year he was the defensive graduate assistant, working primarily with defensive coordinator Dean Hood and linebackers coach Brad Lambert. He was also heavily involved with the scout offense in preparing the defensive unit each week, as well as weekly opponent game planning. Weikert originally joined the Wake Forest staff in 2002 as a recruiting intern. A 2002 graduate of Ohio, Weikert received a bachelor’s degree in communications. While at Ohio, Weikert was a member of the football team for five seasons, four of which came under the direction of head coach Jim Grobe. He earned second-team All-Mid-American Conference honors in 2000 after leading the Bobcats in tackles for loss (16) and sacks (6). He also recorded two interceptions and broke up four passes that season. A native of Covington, Ohio, Weikert, and his wife, Kelly (Graher), have four sons — Laken, Knox, Finley and Major. seasons as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. During his time at HPU, Gipson’s offense finished fifth in the American Southwest Conference in rushing yards per game in 2017 and set the HPU record for completions in a game with 39 in 2018. He was the position coach for the only freshman on the All-ASC first-team in 2017. The following year, Gipson’s offense finished third in the conference in completion percentage and his top receiver, Duntayvion Gross, led the league in receptions. Gipson joined the HPU coaching staff after spending the previous five years as the head coach at Bishop T.K. Gorman in Tyler. During his time at Bishop Gorman, Gipson guided the Crusaders to three-straight playoff appearances. Bishop Gorman’s success included an area and regional championship to go along with the trip to the 2014 TAPPS State semifinals. Under Gipson’s direction, the Crusaders posted a 28-17 (.622) overall record, which was the program’s best four-year winning percentage in the team’s 60-year history. During his time at Bishop Gorman, he coached 21 players that garnered all-state recognition, one Parade All-American receiver – Judah Bell – two District Defensive MVPs and a District MVP. Before Bishop Gorman, Gipson served as the Offensive Coordinator at Grace Community High School in Tyler, Texas, where the Cougars made it to the state semifinals in 2011. There he was a part of a staff that was named the TAPPS District 2 Coaching Staff of the Year in 2010 and 2011. Gipson has also worked in football outside of the school setting, serving as the Head Coach of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Heart of a Champion Bowl in 2016, Offensive Coordinator in 2011, and as the bowl game’s assistant director from 2011-2016. In 2016-2017, he was honored with the Northeast Texas FCA Influence Award. Gipson is a graduate of LeTourneau University and received his master’s degree from Concordia-Irvine. He and his wife Christy – a former ETBU All-American in softball – have two children, daughter, Camryn, and a son, Connor.
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Jackson Eskierka Quarterbacks
Jackson Eskierka joined the LU coaching staff in January 2020 and is one of two coaches who came with head coach Blane Morgan from San Diego State. Eskierka is in his second season working with the LU quarterbacks. During his first season with LU, Eskierka was in the unenviable task of working with a position that had no returning players. He was giving the challenge of producing a depth chart consisting of players who had never taken a snap at LU. All Eskierka did was produce one of the top newcomers in the league in
Austen Jacobs Tight Ends
Austen Jacobs is one of two coaches who came over from San Diego State with head coach Blane Morgan. He officially joined the LU coaching staff in January 2020 and is in his second season working with the Cardinal tight ends. He comes to Beaumont after spending two years working with the SDSU offensive line. Jacobs’ stable of tight ends entered the COVID-shortened 20202 season expecting to be led by one of the top newcomers in the league in transfer Jeremy Davis, but due to early-season injuries, Jacobs was forced to move players around. While Davis overcame injuries to play in three games hauling in seven passes for 41 yards and one score, the injuries allowed Jacobs to get in-game
Cameron Davis Defensive Line
Cameron Davis is in his second season on staff as Lamar University’s defensive line coach. He came to Beaumont after serving the previous season as a graduate assistant coach at Kentucky. Davis took over a Cardinal defensive line last year that did not return a starter from the previous season. He completely rebuilt the line which by season’s end was starting three newcomers – two transfers and a freshman. Despite and overall lack of Division I experience, the Cardinals’ continued to improve and produced a third-team all-conference selection in Tylo Phillips. Davis helped coach the Wildcat defensive linemen in 2019. Kentucky
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the form junior Jalen Dummett. Taking over the starting role, the Cards’ offense improved each week under Dummett. A dual-threat weapon, Dummett became one of the league’s more accurate passers (finishing second overall among all SLC quarterbacks who played an actual league schedule in 2020). Dummett completed nearly 64 percent of his passes for 478 yards and four touchdowns. Dummett may have been a bigger weapon with his feet. The 6-2, 220-pound Oakland, Calif. native, finished the season as the team’s third leading rusher carrying the ball 76 times for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Eskierka came to Beaumont after spending seven years at San Diego State, including his last three as a graduate assistant coach. During his time with the Aztecs, Eskierka served a vital role with three teams that advanced to Bowl games. During that time, Eskierka helped coach the Aztecs to 27 wins and three Bowl game appearances. That stretch also included two 10-win seasons and a Mountain West Conference division title for the Aztecs. Eskierka received his bachelor’s degree from San Deigo State in December 2016. He has also completed course work toward a master’s degree in liberal arts and interdisciplinary studies. looks at several other young players including rookie Connor Venetis and junior Nathan Gaskamp. Together, the LU tight ends combined to haul in 14 passes for 97 yards and three touchdowns. During his time in San Diego, Jacobs worked with an offensive front that helped produce nearly 350 yards of offense per game. During that stretch the Aztecs advanced to two bowl game appearances including a 10-win season and a victory in the New Mexico Bowl in 2019. Prior to his time in San Diego, Jacobs served as a graduate assistant at Northwestern State working with the Demons’ tight ends. Before his stint in Natchitoches, La., Jacobs spent 2016 at Humboldt State and was key in the development of running back Ja’Quan Gardner. Under Jacobs guidance, Gardner earned Division II All-America accolades. During his time with the Lumberjacks, Jacobs recruited the San Francisco and San Jose areas. Jacobs began his professional career as an offensive quality control coach at Colorado State. He spent two seasons with the Rams serving under head coach Jim McElwain. Jacobs received his bachelor’s degree in biomedical science from Texas A&M in 2014. He has completed work toward a master’s degree in homeland security. boasted an 8-5 (.615) record that season, and made a trip to the Belk Bowl where they defeated Virginia Tech. Two of Davis’ players ranked among the SEC leaders in sacks and tackles for losses. The two combined for 12 sacks and 19 tackles for losses. Davis began his coaching career in California before being hired by John Chavis at Texas A&M as a graduate assistant in 2016. After his time with one of the most respected defensive minds in the game, Davis made the move to Houston to take on a similar role with the Rice Owls. He served on the Owls’ staff for two seasons. Davis graduated from Cal State East Bay in 2012 with a degree in sociology. He interned in the Oakland Raiders Public Relations Department in 2012-13 and began his pursuit of a coaching career at Diablo Valley College (2013-14) as an assistant defensive line coach. He entered graduate school at the University of La Vern in La Vern, Calif., and coached the defensive line and defensive backs for one season each and also served as the equipment manager from 2014-15. He earned his Masters in Leadership and Management from La Vern in 2016. He is married to BriAnna Davis.
2021 LAMAR UNIVERSITY® FOOTBALL
CARDINALS FOOTBALL Scott Thiessen Outside Linebackers
Scott Thiessen joined the Lamar University Cardinals coaching staff in February 2020 and is in his second season working with LU’s outside linebackers. A native of Modesto, Calif., a veteran with 16 years of coaching experience, Thiessen comes to the Golden Triangle after spending eight seasons at the Air Force Prep School in Colorado where he served
as head coach. Two primary goals that Thiessen had while serving as the head coach was retention and player development. He recorded a nearly 70 percent retention rate during his time at the helm, and 70 percent of Air Force’s starters were former prep school players.
Wayne Cordova Defensive Backs
Wayne Cordova is entering his second season on the Cardinal sidelines after making the move from Baton Rouge, La., where he spent one season on staff at Southern University. Cordova is an assistant on the defensive staff coaching LU’s defensive backs. In his first season in Beaumont, Cordova helped transform sophomore Anthony Ruffin into one of the top young defensive backs at the FCS level. A third-team all-conference selection in just his second season with the team, Ruffin led the Cardinals with 43 stops, including 28 solo tackles, and a team-high three interceptions in the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Ruffin was named SLC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in helping LU record a victory over Northwestern State. During his time in Baton Rouge, Cordova coached the Jaguars’ safeties and served as the special teams coordinator. While at Southern, Cordova turned sophomore Tamaurice Smith into one of the league’s top defensive backs. Smith garnered All-SWAC honors following a season that saw him record 27 tackles and a team-high five interceptions, including eight pass break ups.
Thiessen oversaw a staff of eight to 12 coaches and worked with a new 55man roster every season. During his time at the prep academy, Thiessen worked with defensive backs, defensive line, linebackers and also served as defensive and special teams coordinator. Prior to his time at the Air Force Prep Academy, Thiessen spent six seasons as an assistant on staff at Chapman University. During his time in Orange, Calif., Thiessen worked directly with the Panthers’ secondary. Thiessen’s coaching career began at Modesto Junior College where he worked with the Modesto JC cornerbacks. Thiessen graduated from Youngstown State in May 2004. A transfer from Modesto, Thiessen was a versatile athlete who played every position in the Penguins’ secondary. The true definition of a student athlete, Thiessen earned Academic All-America honors at both the NCAA FCS and NJCAA levels. Thiessen graduated from Youngstown State in May 2004 with his bachelor’s degree. He received his Master’s of Arts in Special Education in July 2010. Thiessen, and his wife, Alayne, of 14 years have two sons, Carter and Ryder.
Cordova made the move to Southern following two seasons in Lake Charles, La., serving as the safeties coach for his alma mater, McNeese. During his time with the Cowboys, Cordova produced an All-Southland selection in Dominique Hill. He also handled the role of Cowboys’ director of football operations. Cordova joined the collegiate ranks after earning his stripes at the high school level. He spent the 2016 season at Newman High School (La.) where he was the defensive coordinator, and prior to that, was on the Tulane Green Wave staff for two years as the Director of Player Personnel-External Relations. Cordova previously served as the head coach at St. Augustine (2006-08) and served as an assistant coach at Destrehan (2012-13) and Brother Martin (2009-11). Cordova got his start at the collegiate level at Grambling in 2013 where he was the Director of Player Personnel. As a player, Cordova was named a member of the 75th Anniversary Football Team as well as playing for the Cowboys’ Southland Championship and 1997 National Championship Runner-Up squad. He helped guide McNeese to two playoff appearances during that time. A 1999 first-team All-Southland Football League selection, Cordova was named the Johnnie Caldarera Defensive Player of the Year after posting 113 tackles. He ended his career with 305 total tackles, ranking 11th on the school career record list. He received his bachelor’s degree from McNeese in 2005. Cordova and his wife, CeCe, have five children: Corey, Jordan, Landon, Kandyn and Chloe.
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2021 LAMAR UNIVERSITY
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Marshall Mann Football Operations
Marshall Mann is in his first year on the Lamar University coaching staff overseeing the football operations. Mann comes to the Golden Triangle after spending the previous three seasons at Howard Payne. Mann was originally hired as a graduate assistant with the Yellow Jackets, before being promoted to assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. While the major-
Dan Darcy
Strength & Conditioning Coordinator Daniel Darcy was named the Lamar University strength and conditioning coordinator in April 2016. Darcy comes to Beaumont after spending six years as an assistant coordinator at Northern Arizona University. He served as the top assistant on the Mountain Campus, aiding in all facets of the football program which included organization and preparation of day-today training, nutrition education and Pro Day training. He helped train 16 All-Americans on the Lumberjack football team. Darcy also has a wealth of experience working with teams across the whole collegiate sports spectrum. While in Flagstaff, he also worked with men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, soccer, men’s and women’s track and field/cross country and the swimming and diving programs. In addition to his work with NAU’s varsity sports, Darcy also worked with the ice hockey club team designing and implementing speed, agility, quickness, strength, power, injury prevention and nutrition education for
Kristin Willeford Head Athletics Trainer
Kristin Willeford was named Lamar University assistant athletics director for sports medicine in June 2019. Willeford comes the Golden Triangle from the Northwest after spending two years at Portland State. During Willeford’s time in Portland, she served as the assistant athletic trainer providing coverage to the Viking softball and football teams. A certified athletic trainer who holds several licenses, Willeford also served as the athletic department’s mental health training coordinator and NCAA drug testing program coordinator. In addition to her duties with the PSU football and softball programs, Willeford oversaw the graduate assistant athletic trainers for women’s basketball.
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ity of his time was focused on the HPU secondary, Mann spent the 2018 season working with the Yellow Jacket defensive linemen. Mann arrived in Brownswood during a time when the HPU program was struggling. After recording just two victories in his first two seasons, Mann helped lead a squad that more than doubled its win total from the previous two years. The Yellow Jackets closed out the 2019 season with five wins. Mann graduated from Baylor in 2017 with a Bachelor of Education degree. He graduated from Howard Payne with a Master of Business Administration in May 2020. athletes ages 13-18. During the summer of 2010, Darcy did an internship at the University of Texas. He assisted with every aspect of football summer training including speed, agility, quickness training and testing, and worked with 11 future NFL draft selections. Prior to his internship at UT, Darcy spent two seasons in New Britain, Conn., serving as a graduate assistant at Central Connecticut State. While at CCSU, Darcy worked with the football, men’s and women’s soccer, track and field and cross country programs as well as women’s lacrosse and golf. Darcy began his career as an intern at Canisius College in 2006. Over the next two seasons, he worked with several sports including baseball, basketball, diving, softball, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, synchronized swimming and volleyball. He has worked various camps over the years, including the SoccerPlus CT Speed, Strength and Conditioning Camp in 2010 in New Britain, Conn., and the Speed Development Camp in 2009 in Newington, Conn. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. He graduated with a bachelor’s of science in sports medicine from Canisius College and earned a master’s of science in physical education from Central Connecticut State University. Prior to Portland State, Willeford spent three years at Furman in Greenville, S.C. working with the Paladin football program beginning in 2015. Before heading to Furman Willeford was a graduate assistant athletic trainer with the Illinois State football program from 2013 to 2015. Before returning to school to complete her graduate work, Willeford served as an Industrial Health Specialist with Concentra in Enid, OK. In this position, she worked with a variety of industrial employees to reduce workplace injuries and improve industrial safety regulations. Willeford has extensive experience in the evaluation and treatment of work related injuries as well as the treatment and rehabilitation of injuries associated with contact and collision sports. She holds additional certifications in graston manual therapy technique and is a certified concussion management specialist. Willeford received her Bachelor of Science degree in athletic training from Oklahoma State in 2011 and her master’s in athletic training from Illinois State in 2015. She is a native of Lakeville, Minnesota.
2021 LAMAR UNIVERSITY® FOOTBALL
CARDINALS FOOTBALL
Noah Jackson
Tyler Bates
Jordan Dudley
Morgan Ford
Garrett Gibson
David Mertens
Quality Control Defensive Line
Graduate Asst. Academics/Ops.
Cecil Banks III
Silas Banda
Harold Mann
Quality Control Inside Linebackers
Quality Control Special Teams/OLBs
Graduate Assistant Offensive Line
Graduate Asst. Wide Receivers
ESPN & Production Services
Graduate Asst. Video Coordinator
Voice of the Cardinals
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2021 LAMAR UNIVERSITY
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2 | James Jones Sophomore, WR Beaumont, Texas
2 | Vencent Rockwell Freshman, ILB Longview, Texas
3 | Jeremy Davis Junior, TE Houston, Texas
3 | Caimyn Layne Freshman, ILB Waxahachie, Texas
4 | Steven Jones Junior, DB Beaumont, Texas
4 | Jack Roe Sophomore, WR Humble, Texas
5 | Anthony Ruffin Sophomore, DB Houma, La.
5 | Jalen Dummett Junior, QB Oakland, Calif.
6 | Erik Pizarro Sophomore, WR Rio Hondo, Texas
6 | Darion Peace Freshman, ILB Malakoff, Texas
7 | Chaz Ward Junior, RB Houma, La.
7 | Tyler Jackson Junior, LB DeSoto, Texas
8 | Desmond Veals Senior, LB Beaumont, Texas
8 | Tyrique Carter Freshman, WR Huntsville, Texas
9 | Mike Chandler Freshman, QB Converse, Texas
9 | Kyron Norwood Senior, DB Hattiesburg, Miss.
10 | Divine Buckrham Senior, DB Queens, N.Y.
10 | Dozie Ifeadi Freshman, WR Tyler, Texas
11 | Aaron Calcote Junior, OLB Shreveport, La.
11 | Ethan Newton Freshman, WR Houston, Texas
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2021 LAMAR UNIVERSITY® FOOTBALL
CARDINALS FOOTBALL
12 | Antorious Hambric Freshman, DB Forney, Texas
12 | Marcellus Johnson Sophomore, WR Killeen, Texas
13 | Jacoby Davis Sophomore, WR Houston, Texas
13 | Austin Goffney Junior, DB Cypress, Texas
14 | Cameron George Freshman, QB Missouri City, Texas
14 | Ramond Stevens Freshman, DB New Orleans, La.
15 | Kimani Johnson Freshman, DB Mansfield, Texas
15 | Kameron Ladia Freshman, QB Port Arthur, Texas
16 | Anthony Brown Freshman, QB Houston, Texas
16 | Caleb Arnold Freshman, LB Texarkana, Texas
17 | Damian Alexander Freshman, DB New Orleans, La.
17 | Keshaun Lazard Freshman, WR Opelousas, La.
18 | DeMarco Roberts Freshman, DB Aledo, Texas
18 | Daelyn Williams Freshman, QB Houston, Texas
19 | Rodney Higdon Junior, DB Tampa, Fla.
20 | Jaylon Jackson Freshman, RB Burleson, Texas
21 | Greg Hoofkin Freshman, LB Richmond, Texas
22 | Jaden Harding Freshman, DB Destrehan, La.
23 | Kirkland Banks Senior, WR Lake Charles, La.
24 | Devin Thomas Freshman, DB Saginaw, Texas
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2021 LAMAR UNIVERSITY
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IN IT to
WIN IT.
We know a thing or two about fighting for a big win. Go get ’em Cardinals.
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2021 LAMAR UNIVERSITY® FOOTBALL
PROVOSTUMPHREY.COM BEAUMONT, TX
CARDINALS FOOTBALL
25 | Alex Meeks Freshman, DB Houston, Texas
26 | Damashja Harris Freshman, RB Killeen, Texas
27 | Tyson King Freshman, RB Greenville, Texas
28 | Seth Johnson Freshman, DB Houston, Texas
29 | Alex Connell Fresham, WR Buna, Texas
30 | Adrian Owens Freshman, LB Houston, Texas
31 | Jackson Frazier Freshman, RB White Oak, Texas
32 | Patrick Brinkley Freshman, DB Missouri City, Texas
33 | Jordan Patterson Freshman, LB Beaumont, Texas
34 | Ladarian Martin Freshman, LB Fort Worth, Texas
35 | Breylon Charles Freshman, DE New Orleans, La.
36 | Hunter Batten Junior, RB Bryan, Texas
37 | R.J. Carver Freshman, RB McKinney, Texas
38 | Alex Auer Freshman, K/P Shreveport, La.
39 | Colby Sessums Freshman, K/P Haslet, Texas
40 | Jalen Freeman Freshman, LB Frisco, Texas
41 | Kendal Rowan Freshman, LB Marrero, La.
42 | Steve Johnson Freshman, TE Port Lavaca, Texas
43 | Dane Jentsch Freshman, DB Grandview, Texas
44 | Nathan Gaskamp Junior, TE Midlothian, Texas
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2021 LAMAR UNIVERSITY
®
The Storyline on Today’s Game
Cardinals Eye 2021 Season Opener
For the Lamar University Cardinals, as with most NCAA FCS level programs, the start of the 2021 season is a return to normalcy. Last season saw Blane Morgan’s first year as head coach get pushed to the spring semester, limited to six games and capacity restrictions within the stadium all due to COVID. The Cardinals are now set to open a new year during the traditional football season as they kick things off tonight against North American University. The Stallions enter the week with two games under their belt. Officially, NAU is 1-0 after a one-point victory over Louisiana College last week. NAU played Hardin-Simmons in an exhibiton and lost that game, 65-8, two weeks ago.
Transitioning to the WAC
The 2021 season will serve as a historic one for the Red and White. After a long and successful run in the Southland Conference, the Cardinals have made the transition to the Western Athletic Conference this season, joining Abilene Christian, Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin. To allow for an automatic qualifier from the league this season – due to Dixie State and Tarleton State still in the transition phase from NCAA Division II – the WAC has joined forces with the Atlantic Sun Conference to form
the WAC-ASUN Challenge. The four WAC Texas schools will compete against Central Arkansas (another former SLC school), Jacksonville State and Eastern Kentucky to form one league this season and have an automatic qualifier for the NCAA Championships. This season will mark the first since 1962 that LU has not competed in the Southland, and will be just the third league football has represented in program history.
Home Sweet Home
The Cardinals have mde Provost Umphrey Stadium a tough place to play over the course of the past seven seasons. LU is 22-22 (.500) at home during that stretch with 10 of the 22 setbacks coming against nationally ranked opponents, including one (Coastal Carolina) that was making the transition to the NCAA FBS level. Since the program’s return, Big Red is 31-28 (.525) at home.
What a Difference A Year Makes
At this time last year, the Cardinals had a total of 10 returning starters, and five of those were specialists, and fewer than 30 returning letterwinners. Flash forward a year, and the Cardinals enter 2021 with 23 returning starters (including 10 on offense), and more than 50 letterwinners.
45 | Jase Williams Freshman, LB Slidell, La.
46 | Austin Kennedy Freshman, LB Cypress, Texas
47 | Bailey Giffen Senior, K Bryan, Texas
49 | Jaymond Jackson Freshman, DE Lindale, Texas
50 | Luke Wallis Sophomore, DS Kirbyville, Texas
51 | Joseph Trim Freshman, LB Sugar Land, Texas
52 | Blake Gotcher Freshman, LB Little Elm, Texas
53 | Cade Danna Freshman, LB Lumberton, Texas
54 | Bless Harris Sophomore, OL New Orleans, La.
55 | James Collins Freshman, OL Mesquite, Texas
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2021 LAMAR UNIVERSITY® FOOTBALL
CARDINALS FOOTBALL 2021 Lamar University Football Roster Name 2 James Jones 2 Vencent Rockwell 3 Jeremy Davis 3 Caimyn Layne 4 Steven Jones 4 Jack Roe 5 Jalen Dummett 5 Anthony Ruffin 6 Darion Peace 6 Erik Pizarro 7 Tyler Jackson 7 Chaz Ward 8 Tyrique Carter 8 Desmond Veals 9 Mike Chandler 9 Kyron Norwood 10 Divine Buckrham 10 Dozie Ifeadi 11 Aaron Calcote 11 Ethan Newton 12 Antorius Hambric Jr. 12 Marcellus Johnson 13 Austin Goffney 13 Kameron Ladia 14 Cameron George 14 Ramond Stevens 15 Kimani Johnson 15 Jacoby Davis 16 Caleb Arnold 16 Anthony Brown 17 Damian Alexander 17 Keshaun Lazard 18 DeMarco Roberts 18 Daelyn Williams 19 Rodney Higdon 20 Jaylon Jackson 21 Greg Hoofkin 22 Jaden Harding 23 Kirkland Banks 24 Devin Thomas 25 Alex Meeks 26 Damashja Harris 27 Tyson King 28 Seth Johnson 29 Alex Connell 30 Adrian Owens 31 Jackson Frazier 32 Patrick Brinkley 33 Jordan Patterson 34 Ladarian Martin 35 Breylon Charles 36 Hunter Batten 37 RJ Carver 38 Alex Auer 39 Colby Sessums 40 Jalen Freeman 41 Kendal Rowan 42 Steve Johnson 43 Dane Jentsch
Pos. Ht. WR 5-8 ILB 6-2 TE 6-5 ILB 6-0 DB 5-8 WR 5-11 QB 6-2 DB 6-1 ILB 6-1 WR 5-11 LB 6-0 RB 6-0 WR 5-10 OLB 6-0 QB 6-0 DB 5-11 DB 6-0 WR 6-1 OLB 6-0 WR 6-2 DB 5-11 WR 6-3 DB 6-0 QB 6-3 QB 5-10 DB 5-10 DB 5-10 WR 6-4 OLB 6-1 QB 6-1 DB 6-0 WR 6-0 DB 5-8 QB 5-10 DB 6-0 RB 5-7 OLB 6-1 DB 5-10 WR 5-10 DB 6-0 DB 5-10 RB 6-2 RB 5-10 DB 5-10 WR 5-10 LB 6-2 RB 6-0 DB 5-11 OLB 5-10 OLB 6-0 DE 6-5 RB 5-9 RB 5-10 K/P 6-0 K/P 6-1 ILB 6-1 OLB 6-2 TE 6-2 DB 5-11
Wt. Cl.-Exp. Hometown 167 So.-2L Beaumont, Texas 217 Fr.-1L Dallas, Texas 253 Jr.-1L Houston, Texas 235 Fr.-1L Waxahachie, Texas 163 Jr.-3L Beaumont, Texas 173 So.-2L Humble, Texas 208 Jr.-1L Oakland, Calif. 202 So.-1L Houma, La. 217 Fr.-HS Malakoff, Texas 199 So.-2L Rio Hondo, Texas 226 So.-1L DeSoto, Texas 234 So.-2L Houma, La. 171 Fr.-1L Huntsville, Texas 208 Sr.-4L Beaumont, Texas 190 Fr.-1L Converse, Texas 187 Sr.-2L Hattiesburg, Miss. 193 Sr.-TR Queens, N.Y. 196 Fr.-HS Tyler, Texas 223 Jr.-1L Shreveport, La. 160 Fr.-HS Houston, Texas 183 Fr.-HS Forney, Texas 213 So.-2L Killeen, Texas 203 Jr.-TR Cypress, Texas 218 Fr.-HS Port Arthur, Texas 209 Fr.-TR Missouri City, Texas 158 Fr.-HS New Orleans, La. 170 Fr.-HS Mansfield, Texas 212 So..-1L Houston, Texas 196 Fr.-HS Texarkana, Texas 200 Fr.-HS Houston, Texas 156 Fr.-HS New Orleans, La. 180 Fr.-HS Opelousas, La. 170 Fr.-HS Aledo, Texas 150 Fr.-HS Houston, Texas 191 Jr.-1L Tampa, Fla. 167 Fr.-1L Burleson, Texas 232 Fr.-HS Richmond, Texas 167 Fr.-HS Destrehan, La. 177 Sr.-4L Lake Charles, La. 175 Fr.-RS Saginaw, Texas 170 Fr.-RS Houston, Texas 198 Fr.-HS Killeen, Texas 160 Fr.-HS Greenville, Texas 170 Fr.-HS Houston, Texas 160 Fr.-1L Buna, Texas 208 Fr.-HS Houston, Texas 178 Fr.-HS White Oak, Texas 179 Fr.-HS Missouri City, Texas 208 Fr.-1L Beaumont, Texas 230 Fr.-HS Fort Worth, Texas 240 Fr.-HS New Orleans, La. 232 Jr.-TR Bryan, Texas 216 Fr.-HS McKinney, Texas 177 Fr.-HS Shreveport, La. 183 Fr.-HS Haslet, Texas 240 Fr.-1L Frisco, Texas 207 Fr.-1L Marrero, La. 212 Fr.-HS Port Lavaca, Texas 186 Fr.-HS Grandview, Texas
44 Nathan Gaskamp 45 Jase Williams 46 Austin Kennedy 47 Bailey Giffen 49 Jaymond Jackson 50 Luke Wallis 51 Joseph Trim 52 Blake Gotcher 53 Cade Danna 54 Bless Harris 55 James Collins 56 Addison Shackelford 57 Tonga Lolohea 58 Zac Yassine 59 Jaxon Richards 60 Ashton Janise 61 Caleb Leonard 62 Devin Fregia 63 John Farris 64 Carter Murray 65 Jacob Dicharry 68 Alex Acosta 69 Ja’Darrius Winans 70 Tyler Webb 71 Jevale Roberson 72 Marcques Mayo 73 Jacob Bayer 74 James Williams 75 Alexander Frithiof 76 Drew Moss 78 Devon King 80 Luke Ferguson 81 Devyn Gibbs 82 Canden Grogan 83 Vernon Mosley III 84 Sterling Herrington 85 Dawud Shorts 86 David Jefferson 87 Cole Kelly 88 Connor Venetis 89 Javonta Thomas 90 Tylo Phillips 91 Vincent Rollins 92 Kirsten Williams 93 Jared Byrd 94 Jack McCarthy 95 Caleb Williams 96 Ayden Bell 97 Treviance Bronson 98 Chidera Umeh 99 Reggie Brooks
TE ILB LB K DE DS ILB ILB ILB OL OL DL DE DL DL OL OL TE DS OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR TE WR WR TE TE WR TE TE WR DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DT DL DL
6-1 6-2 6-2 5-9 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-0 6-6 6-3 6-4 6-3 5-10 6-3 6-5 5-10 6-3 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-3 5-9 6-2 6-0 5-10 6-6 6-5 5-11 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-4 5-11 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-3
237 227 192 185 241 219 180 227 173 295 263 290 300 283 212 279 315 253 190 304 256 291 320 271 298 259 286 291 314 280 350 171 217 158 170 219 220 165 219 259 183 227 296 248 243 249 300 261 275 281 309
Jr.-1L Fr.-HS Fr.-RS Sr.-2L Fr.-HS So.-2L Fr.-HS Fr.-HS Fr.-HS So.-2L Fr.-HS So.-TR Fr.-HS Fr.-HS Fr.-RS Fr.-HS Fr.-HS Fr.-HS Fr.-1L Fr.-HS Fr.-1L Fr.-RS Fr.-1L Fr.-HS Fr.-RS Fr.-RS Fr.-HS Fr.-HS Fr.-RS Fr.-HS Fr.-1L Fr.-HS Fr.-1L Fr.-HS Fr.-HS Fr.-1L Jr.-4L Fr.-HS Fr.-HS Fr.-1L Fr.-HS Jr.-1L Jr.-1L Jr.-1L Fr.-TR Fr.-1L Fr.-1L Fr.-HS Fr.-HS Fr.-RS Fr.-HS
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Midlothian, Texas Slidell, La. Cypress, Texas Bryan, Texas Lindale, Texas Kirbyville, Texas Sugar Land, Texas Little Elm, Texas Lumberton, Texas New Orleans, La. Mesquite, Texas Chino Hills, Calif. Euless, Texas Sugar Land, Texas Scottsdale, Ariz. Beaumont, Texas Pearland, Texas Liberty, Texas Baytown, Texas Lovelady, Texas Dallas, Texas Deer Park, Texas Minden, La. Vidor, Texas Cleveland, Texas Opelousas, La. Grandview, Texas DeRidder, La. Springtown, Texas Richardson, Texas Gilmer, Texas Grandview, Texas Mabank, Texas Mont Belvieu, Texas Houston, Texas Silsbee, Texas Humble, Texas Pearland, Texas Friendswood, Texas Lafayette, La. Van, Texas Collinsville, Miss. Phelan, Calif. Houston, Texas Alexandria, La. Houston, Texas Houston, Texas Silsbee, Texas Katy, Texas Richmond, Texas Wylie, Texas
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2021 LAMAR UNIVERSITY
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2021 North American Football Roster Name 0 Sincere Antwine 0 Deroddrick Hadnot 1 Dee Spivey 1 Jordan Horace 2 Devin Thierry 3 Jailin Singleton 3 Charles Reed 4 D’Heaven Domena 4 Jaheim Evans 5 Carlos Rogers 5 Jamal Jackson 6 Javian Myles 6 Cheyswan Coates 7 Kierre Cazenave 7 Rashaan Johnson 8 Joshua Neal 8 DeCarlos Johnson 9 Andrew Ortiz 9 Jadarius Sanders 10 Jason Reaves 10 Jaquarien Irving 11 Desmond Bernard 12 Randal Moore 12 Derrick Parker 13 Audreece Dickson 14 Nicolas Agreda 15 Isaiah Francis 16 Brandon Lemus 17 Albert Murdock III 18 Reginald Smothers 19 Shamar Thomas 19 LaShaud Watts 20 Kevon Purnell 21 JaCarl Davis 22 Kelvin Villalobos 23 Shawn Lewis 24 Hezekiah Salter 26 Taven Canty 27 Christopher Butler 28 Kadarius Akins 31 Daniel Mason 32 Broc LeBlanc 33 Jared Young 34 Andrew Laws 40 Kamerone Wheeler 41 Jaylyn Williams 42 Kysean Fabian 43 Keondre Dotson 44 Nelson Umanzor 50 Quintin Edney 51 Gabrien Turner 52 Isaiah Belton 53 Jayden Adebo 54 Christopher Williams 55 Enrique Newman 62 Kenneth Brown
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Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown WR 5-6 146 LB 5-4 150 WR 6-0 190 DB 5-10 208 WR 6-1 205 WR 5-8 185 LB 5-10 230 RB 5-10 210 DB 5-11 200 QB 5-10 220 DB 6-0 189 RB 5-10 RB DB 5-11 190 TB 5-9 189 DB 5-9 168 WR 6-0 185 LB 6-2 265 QB 6-0 180 LB 5-10 237 WR 6-2 200 LB 5-10 220 WR 5-10 180 QB 6-0 200 DB 5-11 170 DB 5-9 170 DB 5-11 167 DB 5-11 170 K/P 5-9 175 WR 6-2 205 WR 6-2 200 TE 6-1 245 DB 5-10 180 RB 6-1 205 DB 6-0 190 LB 5-11 195 DB 5-10 185 RB 5-10 220 TB 5-7 180 DB 5-11 185 RB 5-10 200 DE 6-0 245 DE 6-1 250 LB 5-11 235 RB 5-11 200 TE 6-2 235 TE 6-3 250 LB 5-10 225 LB 5-11 245 LB 5-10 200 DE 6-3 250 OL 5-11 257 OL 6-2 327 OL 6-2 285 DL 6-1 210 OL 6-1 345 OL 6-0 290
64 Allen Leiato 72 Jaylon Knighten 73 Keilyn McCain 75 Markevious Fuller 77 Ronald Smith 85 Miguel Mora 88 Darian Jobe 95 Quincy Jones 96 Bjan Arvie 97 Anthony Day 98 Kenneth Ogletree 99 Jacob Garcia
2021 LAMAR UNIVERSITY® FOOTBALL
OL OL OL OL OL TE WR DL DE DL DL DL
6-3 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-2 5-10 6-1 6-3 6-0 5-11 5-10
330 320 300 295 300 245 160 240 278 280 245 255
CARDINALS FOOTBALL LU Depth Chart X TE LT LG Cen. RG RT C Z RB QB
12 80 3 44 65 74 78 61 56 73 71 69 76 75 23 8 6 82 2 7 10 9
Marcellus Johnson Luke Ferguson Jeremy Davis Nathan Gaskamp Jacob Dicharry James Williams Devon King Caleb Leonard Addison Shackelford Jacob Bayer Jevale Roberson Ja’Darius Winans Drew Moss Alex Frithiof Kirkland Banks Tyrique Carter Erik Pizarro Canden Grogan James Jones Chaz Ward Jalen Dummett Michael Chandler, Jr.
DE NT DT WLB MLB Spur Bandit SS FS CB CB
90 97 95 91 94 35 3 2 7 52 8 19 11 49 5 12 10 13 9 24 4 18
Tylo Phillips Treviance Bronson Caleb Williams Vincent Rollins Jack McCarthy Breylon Charles Caimyn Layne Vencent Rockwell Tyler Jackson Blake Gotcher Desmond Veals Rodeny Higdon Aaron Calcote Jaymond Jackson Anthony Ruffin Antorius Hambric Jr. Divine Buckrham Austin Goffney Kyron Norwood Devin Thomas Steve Jones Demarco Roberts
K PK P
47 39 47 39 47
Bailey Giffen Colby Sessums Bailey Giffen Colby Sessums Bailey Giffen
DS H KR PR
50 63 6 23 20 23 20
Luke Wallis John Farris Erik Pizarro Kirkland Banks Jaylon Jackson Kirkland Banks Jaylon Jackson
Offense
Defense
NAU Depth Chart
6-3 6-3 6-5 6-1 6-5 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-4 5-10 5-10 5-11 6-3 5-8 6-0 6-2 6-0
213 171 253 237 256 291 350 315 290 286 298 320 280 314 177 171 199 158 167 234 208 190
So. Fr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. So. Fr. So. So. Jr. Fr.
DE DT DT DE SAM MIC WILL LC SS FS RC
32 54 96 41 97 99 31 34 0 10 44 9 3 8 5 13 6 4 1 27 23 7
Broc LeBlanc Christopher Williams Bjan Arvie Jaylyn Williams Anthony Day Jacob Garcia Daniel Mason Andrew Laws DeRoddrick Hadnot Jaquarien Irving Nelson Umanzor Jadarius Sanders Charles Reed DeCarlos Johnson Jamal Jackson Audreece Dickson Cheyswan Coates Jaheim Evans Jordan Horace Christopher Butler Shawn Lewis Rashaan Johnson
6-3 6-3 5-11 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-3 6-1 5-11 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-0 5-8 5-8
272 275 300 296 249 240 235 217 226 227 202 191 223 241 202 183 193 203 187 175 163 170
Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. So. Fr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr.
2 10 40 41 53 73 55 53 52 55 64 72 62 77 8 18 9 5 28 7 7 28
Devin Thierry Jason Reaves Kamerone Wheeler Jaylyn Williams Jayden Adebo Keilyn McCain Enrique Newman Jayden Adebo Isaiah Belton Enrique Newman Allen Leiato Jaylon Knighten Kenneth Brown Ronald Smith Joshua Neal Reginald Smothers Andrew Ortiz Carlos Rogers Kadarius Akins Kierre Cazenave Kierre Cazenave Kadarius Akins
5-9 6-1 5-9 6-1 5-9
185 183 185 183 185
Sr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr.
X TE LT LG C RG RT Y QB FB RB P PK
6-0 5-10 5-11 5-10 5-7 5-10 5-7
219 190 199 177 167 177 167
So. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. Fr.
Special Teams
41 4 16
Jaylyn Williams D’Heaven Domena Brandon Lemus
Offense
Defense
6-1 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-0 5-10 6-0 5-11 5-4 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-2 6-0 5-9 5-11 5-11 5-10 5-11 5-10 5-9
250 210 278 250 280 255 245 200 150 220 200 237 230 265 189 170 190 200 208 185 185 168
6-1 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-0 5-10 5-10 5-9 5-9 5-10
205 200 235 250 285 300 345 285 327 345 330 320 290 300 185 205 180 220 200 189 189 200
6-3 5-10 5-9
250 210 175
Special Teams
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2021 LAMAR UNIVERSITY
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56 | Addison Shackelford Sophomore, DL Chino Hills, Calif.
57 | Tonga Lolohea Freshman, DE Euless, Texas
58 | Zac Yassine Freshman, DL Sugar Land, Texas
59 | Jaxon Richards Freshman, DL Scottsdale, Ariz.
60 | Ashton Janise Freshman, OL Beaumont, Texas
61 | Caleb Leonard Freshman, OL Pearland, Texas
62 | Devin Fregia Freshman, TE Liberty, Texas
63 | John Farris Freshman, DS Baytown, Texas
64 | Carter Murray Freshman, OL Lovelady, Texas
65 | Jacob Dicharry Freshman, OL Dallas, Texas
68 | Alejandro Acosta Freshman, OL Deer Park, Texas
69 | Ja’Darrius Winans Freshman, OL Minden, La.
70 | Tyler Webb Freshman, OL Vidor, Texas
71 | Jevale Roberson Freshman, OL Cleveland, Texas
72 | Marcques Mayo Freshman, OL Opelousas, La.
73 | Jacob Bayer Freshman, OL Grandview, Texas
74 | James Williams Freshman, OL DeRidder, La.
75 | Alexander Frithiof Freshman, OL Springtown, Texas
76 | Drew Moss Freshman, OL Richardson, Texas
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2021 LAMAR UNIVERSITY® FOOTBALL
78 | Devon King Freshman, OL Gilmer, Texas
CARDINALS FOOTBALL
80 | Luke Ferguson Freshman, WR Grandview, Texas
81 | Devyn Gibbs Freshman, TE Mabank, Texas
82 | Canden Grogan Freshman, WR Mont Belvieu, Texas
83 | Vernon Mosley III Freshman, WR Houston, Texas
85 | Dawud Shorts Junior, TE Humble, Texas
86 | David Jefferson Freshman, WR Pearland, Texas
87 | Cole Kelly Freshman, TE Friendswood, Texas
88 | Connor Venetis Freshman, TE Lafayette, La.
89 | Javonta Thomas Freshman, WR Van, Texas
90 | Tylo Phillips Junior, DL Collinsville, Miss.
91 | Vincent Rollins Junior, DL Phelan, Calif.
92 | Kirsten Williams Junior, DL Houston, Texas
93 | Jared Byrd Freshman, DL Alexandria, La.
94 | Jack McCarthy Freshman, DL Houston, Texas
95 | Caleb Williams Freshman, DL Houston, Texas
96 | Ayden Bell Freshman, DL Silsbee, Texas
97 | Treviance Bronson Freshman, DT Katy, Texas
98 | Chidera Umeh Freshman, DL Richmond, Texas
99 | Reggie Brooks Freshman, DL Wylie, Texas
LAMARCARDINALS.COM | #WEARELU
84 | Sterling Herrington Freshman, TE Silsbee, Texas
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CARDINALS FOOTBALL
LAMARCARDINALS.COM | #WEARELU
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CARDINALS FOOTBALL
LAMARCARDINALS.COM | #WEARELU
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Lamar University alumni are a busy group when it comes to staying in touch with one another and supporting their school and its athletic teams. Likewise, the Office of Alumni Affairs stays busy keeping things interesting. Alumni are a very important part of the Lamar University community and are valuable ambassadors for LU. Active alumni actually make their degrees more vaulable because they give the university greater visibility. More people are able to see that Lamar University is an outstanding school that produces exceptional graduates, who involve themselves in their community and remain connected with their alma mater. Alumni support makes vital interactive programs possible. Students are eager to communicate with graduates who are out there pursuing their dreams and making them happen. Lamar University needs alumni involvement in whichever way they choose and giving back helps enrich life for both students and alumni.
Alumni are a very important part of the Lamar University community and are valuable ambassadors for LU. Active alumni actually make their degrees more vaulable because they give the university greater visibility. More people are able to see that Lamar University is an outstanding school that produces exceptional graduates, who involve themselves in their community and remain connected with their alma mater. Alumni support makes vital interactive programs possible. Students are eager to communicate with graduates who are out there pursuing their dreams and making them happen. Lamar University needs alumni involvement in whichever way they choose and giving back helps enrich life for both students and alumni. Here are some ways alumni can support the university: • Telling your story to a potential student. • Attending a sporting event to support student-athletes. • Take your seat - what is a performance without an audience? • Interact in person with students by hosting an evening reception or dinner. • Fly the LU flag at your home or business. • Mentor a student in your field or offer an internship at your business. • Travel along on a Cardinal adventure. • Start a scholarship. Lamar University offers additional benefits for annual donors to Alumni Affairs which include: • Invitations to exclusive alumni and university events. • Privileges to use the Mary and John Gray Library. • Receive Cardinal Cadence Magazine. • Serve on select councils or committees. • Network - transform an alumni contact into a business contact. • Receive discounts at local and national merchants. • Receive a window decal and donor card.
Ignore the doubters. Work hard. No, harder. Remember where I come from. Stay healthy. Letter in 4 sports.
Sports Medicine that’s as driven as you are. At CHRISTUS Southeast Texas, we have a fire in our belly to help athletes stay healthy. Treating everyone from weekend warriors to peeweers, with an intense focus on hometown high school athletes, our licensed athletic trainers and boardcertified orthopedic surgeons proudly serve area teams from football to track to powerlifting. We start by partnering with local high schools to teach young athletes how to keep their bodies in prime shape. When injuries do happen, we’re there with comprehensive care, as well as direct access to our experts. And we provide ImPACT™ Concussion Management, assessing and treating this everpresent threat to our young athletes’ brain health.
For same-day and next-day appointments, call 800.218.9355.
Four convenient locations to serve you: Beaumont | Mid County | Jasper | Port Arthur
