BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University football team has several interesting story lines entering the 2015 season. Some of the bigger ones include the battle at quarterback, being picked eighth in the Southland Conference preseason polls and searching for two new starters at defensive end (for the second-straight season).
 
All three story lines are pretty unique – no matter who wins the starting quarterback job it will be an individual who has never taken a snap for the Cardinals. After tying a school record for wins and returning the heart of its team from the previous season it came as a definite shock to be picked so low in the preseason polls. It's not uncommon for a team to have to replace both starting defensive ends in a year, but it is not very likely for that to be the case in two consecutive seasons.
 
Following the 2013 season, LU graduated All-America selection Jesse Dickson and Mark Murrill. Last season, Keith Curran and Joe Okafor were seniors, which has placed defensive line coach Carey Bailey in familiar, albeit, unique territory. Fortunately for Bailey and company, Omar Tebo has served as an anchor in the middle of the line for the past two seasons.
 
"It's never fun when you have to replace your starters from the previous season," said Bailey. "That is something we've had to do for each of the past two years, but having a guy like Omar Tebo at tackle has made that easier. He has progressed ahead of schedule every year. Last season, I watched him do things that he did in high school, but didn't know if that would transition over to the college game. The beauty about Tebo is you're talking about a guy who is six-feet tall, 330-pounds who can run well, jumps and is one of the strongest guys on the team. It is a plus when you have a player his size in the middle who can move, and doesn't get pushed around."
 
A second-team All-Southland Conference selection in just his second season, Tebo played in and started all 12 games for the Cardinals last season, and has played in all but one game during his two seasons on campus. Tebo finished fifth on the squad last year with 46 tackles, including eight for losses and 3.5 sacks.
 
Tebo will be joined at tackle by senior Joshua Frost. The only senior on the 2015 LU defensive line, Frost had a solid rookie season with the Cardinals as a junior college transfer. The 6-0, 320-pound Frost recorded 28 tackles backing up Tebo in 2014.
 
The Cardinals have added an influx of younger talent on the edge, along with returning veterans like Nederland, Texas products Corbin Carr and Koby Couron, to battle for the starting spots. The transfers include Larry Carroll (Kilgore College), Manasseh Miles (Trinity Valley JC) and William Wowkanyn (Santa Rosa JC).
 
"Having these new guys come into the program has allowed us the opportunity to do a few more things," said Bailey. "Not only do we have more depth than what we've seen in previous years, we have the ability to add certain packages to the defense. In previous years we had guys who were playing 60-70 snaps because our depth wasn't where it needed to be, but now we are at a point where there is very little drop off between our first and second unit. We have guys who can play multiple positions, size and speed, so each of these guys brings a different skill set to the field.
 
"Corbin and Koby probably feel more pressure than what most people understand. Every week they play in front of fans who have seen the great things they have done in little leagues, junior high and high school and that can turn into expectations when it comes to their college careers. But they are veteran guys, they know what has to be done both on and off the field and they make us better," added Bailey.
 
Another player who is expected to have a significant impact is an individual who is not new to the team, but he also didn't letter last season either. Redshirt freshman Larance Hale impressed the coaching staff last season during practices, and has added nearly 30 pounds of muscle during the offseason. The Tatum, Texas, native will also be fighting for time as a starter this season as well.
 
"We have so many guys who bring a different skill set to the table that we have the chance to be pretty good this season," said Bailey. "Obviously, a lot plays into staying healthy, continuing to work hard every day but when we play together as a unit it is pretty fun to watch."
 
"Preseason camp has been fun to see the impact the new guys have had so far," added Tebo. "The depth that we are going to have this season is impressive. Each one of these guys brings something different to the table – size and speed, quickness and strength, great pass rushing ability – we will have the ability to do many different things on the field."
 
As Big Red gets closer to a season-opening date against Bacone College (Saturday, Sept. 5^th), the one thing LU's defensive line is focused on is gelling together as one cohesive unit.
 
"We all have the same mindset and that is to do whatever it takes to get to the quarterback and make a tackle," said Tebo. "The most important thing that we have to remember all season is we have to do whatever it takes to help Lamar win the game."
 
LU's defensive line will have its chance to get to a quarterback Sept. 5, against Bacone College. That will be the Cards' lone home game in the first month of the season. LU will face road trips to nationally ranked Baylor, Sam Houston State and Southeastern Louisiana before returning home Saturday, Oct. 10 to face Abilene Christian. Fans interested in buying tickets can do so by calling (409) 880-1715, or by clicking here.
 
-LU CARDINALS-