Beaumont, Texas – Lamar University signed 23 high school standouts to National Letters of Intent Wednesday announced head coach Blane Morgan at his Early Signing Day press conference Wednesday afternoon (three members of the LU signing class will be making their announcements public at a future date). Wednesday's class marks a unique moment for the Cardinals as it will be Morgan's second signing class without having officially coached a game, due to the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the Southland football season to the spring.
 
"It is a very unique situation to be signing our second class and not yet have played a game," said Morgan. "We worked really hard at painting a picture for recruits over the phone or on Zoom calls to give them a realistic view of what campus life is like, and what we're about and what we are building toward. It has been a challenging task for all coaching staffs, but it really is a vital class for us because it is our first full recruiting class after having been here a full year."
 
The incoming class is the epitome of balance across the board with 12 players on the offensive side of the ball and 11 defensive players (with two players being listed at multiple positions) and two specialists. The position breakdown on offense includes five offensive linemen, three wide receivers, two quarterbacks and two running backs. The defensive side of the ball consists of six defensive backs (four corners and two safeties), two defensive linemen and three linebackers. The Cardinals also signed two kickers/punters.
 
The LU coaching staff didn't have to go far Beaumont to lock up the program's next wave of talent. The early signing class represents two states – Texas and Louisiana. The class includes 16 players from Texas – including one from Southeast Texas – and seven from Louisiana. The Southeast Texan Silsbee High School's Ayden Bell.
 
"We have needs on both sides of the ball," said Morgan. "When I took this job, our philosophy has been that we are going to build a sustainable program. We didn't want the heart of the building process to be with transfers or junior college prospects – now we will have those when we believe it is the right fit – but we want the foundation of our program to be through the high school ranks. That is how we presented our program to recruits. We are going to be patient and build this the way that we envision is the right way.
 
"You can build a program with transfers and junior college guys, and coaches have done that and have won, but I want to build a program that is sustainable and here to last," added Morgan.
 
Despite the overall balance of the class, Morgan has made the offensive line a primary target. Looking back to last year's class, Morgan has added 11 new players to the offensive front. The Cardinals incoming crop of lineman will bring immediate size to the position averaging 6-4, 292 pounds. The incoming recruits includes a three-star prospect, a two-start prospect and three players ranked within the state's top 400 players.
 
"If you look at the linemen overall, the thing that stands out is a mentality," said Morgan. "We're getting a group that enjoys playing football and blocking for the quarterback and running backs. That position is the one that ultimately will set the tone for a game. I think Patrick Covington has done a great job of narrowing down the talent pool for us to go after."
 
The quarterback position is always an important roster spot for every team but probably even more so for the Red and White. LU enters the spring season looking to replace its starter from a season ago, and has added three very talented athletes in Dane Jentsch (Grandview, Texas) and Darion Peace (Malakoff, Texas). Both are listed at multiple positions, and bring with them plenty of accolades on the offensive side of the ball. Jentsch guided Grandview to back-to-back state titles while racking up 13,000 yards of offense during his career. The only player in Texas High School history to win both offensive and defensive player of the game honors in a state championship game twice, Jentsch is a former 3A state player of the year. Peace garnered district newcomer of the year honors in 2018, and followed that up with and all-state selection his junior year and closed his prep career by earning district MVP honors.
 
Defensively, the Cardinals have restocked the talent level on the back end of the defense. With eight defensive backs on the roster preparing to enter their junior or senior year of eligibility in the spring, the Cardinals answered this need with the addition of six new players, to go along with the three defensive backs brought in during last year's signing class.
    Damian Alexander – CB – 6-0 – 180 – New Orleans, La./Booker T. Washington HS
High School: A two-star prospect according to Rivals.com … Closed his high school career by recording three interceptions, including one he returned for a score … Only five passes were completed against him all season … Also caught two passes for touchdowns … Helped guide Booker T. Washington to the playoffs every year … A member of the state champion 4x400-meter relay team … Received recruiting attention from Austin Peay, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Prairie View A&M, Southeastern Louisiana and Southern.
 
Alex Auer – K/P – 6-0 – 170 – Shreveport, La./Captain Shreve HS
High School: Two-time all-district punter … Named 2020 Second-Team All-North Louisiana kicker …  Recorded 38 punts for 1553 yards (40.9 ypp) during his senior year … Downed 25 punts inside the 20 … Recorded a long of 63 yards … For his career, he recorded 69 punts for 2,716 yards (39.4 ypp) … Converted 10 field goals, including 5-of-8 (.625) during his junior season … Recorded 31 touchbacks on kickoffs.
 
Jacob Bayer – OL – 6-4 – 315 – Grandview, Texas/Grandview HS
High School: A two-star prospect according to 247Sports.com … Ranked among the top 400 recruits in the state of Texas … Received first-team all-county and all-state honors as a junior … Named 2019 District 9 Offensive Lineman of the Year … 2019 Johnson County Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year … Led Grandview to back-to-back state titles (2018 and 2019) … Guided his prep squad to a near perfect 11-1 (.917) overall record and a perfect 5-0 district mark as a senior … The district title coming on the heels of a 2019 state championship … Invited to the Rivals Combine … Also, a standout in the classroom earning Academic All-District honors … Also received recruiting attention from Air Force, Wyoming, Texas State, Columbia and Dartmouth.
 
Ayden Bell – DL – 6-3 – 270 – Silsbee, Texas/Silsbee HS
High School: Two-time first-team all-district selection … Named 2020 District MVP … Three-year letterwinner … Guided Silsbee to a 7-3 (.700) overall record and 5-1 (.833) district mark as a senior … Closed out his prep career by recording 93 total tackles, including 57 unassisted stops and six sacks … Also picked off six passes and forced two fumbles … A six-time MaxPreps Defensive Player of the Game selection … Also, a standout thrower on the Silsbee track and field team, as well as a regional qualifier in powerlifting.
Personal: Grandfather, Glenn Green, played football LU.
 
Reggie Brooks – DL – 6-3 – 295 – Wylie, Texas/Wylie East HS
High School: Named Fort Worth Star-Telegram 5A Player to Watch … A 2019 Honorable Mention All-District selection … Named team defensive MVP as a senior … Considered one of the top linemen in District 7-5A … Recorded 25 tackles, including five behind the line of scrimmage … Eight of his stops were unassisted … Also blocked four PATs and a field goal during his prep career.
 
RJ Carver – RB – 5-10 – 215 – McKinney, Texas/McKinney HS
High School: Recorded 293 attempts for 1,598 rushing yards (5.5 ypr) and 22 touchdowns during his career … Rushed for 898 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior … His senior numbers coming on the heels of a 700-yard rushing campaign with 12 TDs as a junior … Second-team all-district selection … Received recruiting attention from Baylor, North Texas, Texas State and Washington.
 
James Collins – OL – 6-3 – 270 – Mesquite, Texas/Horn HS
High School: A two-year letterwinner … An imposing run/pass blocker … A standout thrower on the Horn track and field team … Second-team Academic All-District … Also received attention from Valparaiso.
 
Antorius Hambric – CB – 5-11 – 175 – Forney, Texas/North Forney HS
High School: A two-time second-team all-district selection … Named Dallas Morning News Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 15^th following a game that saw him record three tackles, two fumble recoveries – both of which were returned for scores – and broke up a pass as North Forney defeated Corsicana … Recorded 24 total tackles during his junior campaign, including 18 solo stops and an interception … Was a second-team all-district corner back as a junior … Had another strong season as a senior with 28 total tackles, including 19 unassisted … Also broke up 10 passes, and recorded an interception which he returned for a score … Added another all-district nod during his final season … Guided North Forney to a 9-1 (.900) record through the first 10 games of 2020, which comes on the heels of a 7-3 (.700) season a year ago … Also a standout sprinter on the NFHS track and field team … Received recruiting attention from Illinois State, Arkansas, Baylor and Houston.
 
Dozie Ifeadi – WR – 6-1 – 185 – Tyler, Texas/Bishop Gorman Catholic HS
High School: Hauled in 62 passes for 2,211 yards and 32 touchdown during his career … Clocked a 4.43 in the 40 … Showed signs early on of his talent on the field hauling in 45 passes for 941 yards and 12 touchdowns during his freshman and sophomore seasons … Garnered All-East Texas Honors … A first-team all-district selection … Named Tyler Senior of the Year … Also, a standout on the Bishop Gorman track and field team … Was coached by LU recruiting coordinator Coby Gipson at Bishop Gorman from 4^th through 6^th grade.
 
Dane Jentsch – QB/S – 5-11 – 198 – Grandview, Texas/Grandview HS
High School: The only player in Texas high school football history to be named offensive and defensive MVP of a state championship game twice … 2020 District MVP … A 2019 MaxPreps First-Team All-American Defensive Back … 2019 AP Class 3A Offensive Player of the Year … 2019 Dave Campbell's Football 3A Player of the Year … All-state selection on both offense and defense … One of the all-time winningest quarterbacks in Texas high school history (44 wins) … Two-time Johnson County MVP … Guided Grandview to back-to-back state titles … Tallied 9,514 passing yards and rushed for 3,470 yards during his career … Also recorded 120 receiving yards … Responsible for more than 160 touchdowns during his time at Grandview … Defensively, he recorded 455 total tackles, four sacks and picked off 12 passes … Named Johnson County Newcomer of the Year as a freshman … Named first-team all-district quarterback and safety as a sophomore … Named 2018 Johnson County MVP and ESPN All-Central Texas Iron Man of the Year … Named second-team all-state at quarterback and honorable mention all-state at free safety … Also, a standout point guard for the basketball team … Four-time Academic All-District … Son of a THSCA Coach, Clint Jentsch.
 
Caleb Leonard -- OL – 6-4 – 310 – Pearland, Texas/Shadow Creek HS
High School: A three-star athlete according to 247Sports.com … Rated among the state's top 300 players, and the No. 101 offensive guard according 247Sports … Rated as the No. 92 prospect in the Houston Area on the H-Town Hot 100 list … First-team All-District 10-5A … Also received attention from New Mexico State, UTSA, Houston Baptist and Texas Southern.
 
Kerry McMillion – S – 6-4 – 190 – River Ridge, La./John Curtis Christian HS
High School: Recorded 80 unassisted tackles during his career … Picked off six passes … Also deflected 15 passes … Forced four fumbles and recovered two others … A standout on special teams blocking four field goal attempts and a punt … Helped lead John Curtis to two district titles and two championship appearances with one title … The state championship team recorded a perfect 13-0 record.
 
Drew Moss – OL – 6-4 – 270 – Richardson, Texas/Richardson HS
High School: Three-year starter on the offensive line … Team captain … 2020 First-Team All-District 7-6A tackle, and 2020 District 7-6A Utility Player of the Year … Garnered first-team All-RISD honors … A 2019 all-district selection … A 2018 second-team all-district selection at guard …  Also received all-area honors during his junior season … A two-time Academic All-District honoree … Also, a standout thrower on the Richardson track and field team … Academic All-District and an honorable mention Academic All-State selection.
 
Darion Peace – ILB/QB – 6-1 – 210 – Malakoff, Texas/Malakoff HS
High School: A dual threat quarterback … Named 2018 District Newcomer of the Year … A 2019 second-team All-State selection … Named District MVP as a senior, and was once again nominated for all-state honors … Also, a standout on the Malakoff baseball and track and field team.
 
Demarco Roberts – CB – 5-8 – 170 – Aledo, Texas/Aledo HS
High School: A three-star athlete according to 247Sports … Rated as the No. 231 athlete in the state of Texas and the No. 122 athlete nationally … Named first-team All-District 5-5A … Guided Aledo to consecutive Texas 5A DII State Championships … Recorded 156 total tackles during his career, including 131 unassisted … Was also credited with four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles … Offensively, recorded 89 carries for 640 rushing yards … Averaged 7.2 yards per carry … Rushed for 12 touchdowns … Also received attention from Houston, Illinois State and Baylor.
 
Colby Sessums – K/P – 6-1 – 180 – Haslet, Texas/V.R. Eaton HS
High School: A five-star kicker according to the Kohls and Kornblue Kicking … Rated as the nation's No. 10 kicker according Kohls … Rated as 4.5 star punter according to Kohls … Invited to play in the Blue-Gray All-American Game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington … Rated eighth nationally, and the top kicker in the state of Texas for the 2021 class … Showed off his leg with a 63-yard field goal to win the Kornblue kicking competition, and has routinely hit kicks of at least 60 yards during the camp …  Was a perfect 10-of-10 on field goal attempts during his high school career, which included a career-best 50 yarder … Was also a perfect 41-of-41 on PATs … Scored 85 points during his career … Averaged 39.1 yards per punt on 27 career punts, downing six inside the 20 … Also a standout on the Eaton soccer team … An Academic All-State selection.
 
Ramond Stevens – CB – 5-10 – 165 – New Orleans, La./Warren Easton HS
High School: Recorded 39 total tackles, including 31 solo stops and picked off three passes during his senior season … An all-district selection who helped guide Warren Easton to an 11-4 record and a Louisiana 4A state runner up finish … Finished his high school career with 150 tackles and six interceptions … Holds school record for longest defensive touchdown … A versatile athlete who is also a standout sprinter on the track and field team … Also received recruiting attention from Alcorn State and McNeese.
 
Javonta Thomas – WR – 5-11 – 190 – Van, Texas/Van HS
High School: A two-time first-team all-district selection … District 7-4A Offensive MVP … Recorded nearly 2,000 yards … Scored 38 touchdowns … Hauled in 165 passes for 1,894 yards and 18 TDs during his career … Set school record with his 165 receptions … Carried the ball 147 times for 851 yards (5.8 ypr) and 26 scores … Received honorable mention all-district honors and Academic All-District honors as a sophomore … In a game against Palestine during his senior year, he recorded a touchdown rushing, passing and receiving … He finished that game with 10 catches for 114 yards, seven carries for 62 yards and one pass for eight yards … He recorded a five-touchdown effort in a victory over Liberty-Eylau … Honorable Mention Academic All-State selection … A two-time all-district point guard for the basketball team.
 
James Williams – OL – 6-3 – 293 – DeRidder, La./DeRidder HS
High School: Rated as the No. 7 prospect in the Southwest Louisiana 7-in-Seven Countdown of the top 2021 high school players … A 2020 Louisiana Football Magazine Second-Team All-South Louisiana … An honorable mention selection to Dandy Don's Top Football Prospects in Louisiana … Received all-district honors following his junior season … Recorded 19 pancake blocks during his senior season, while leading DeRidder to the second round of the playoffs … Also received attention from McNeese, Texas Southern, Alcorn State and Southern.
 
Jase Williams – ILB – 6-2 – 210 – Slidell, La./Slidell HS
High School: A three-year letterwinner … Also played tight end on the offensive side of the ball … Received the Iron Tiger Award for the team's top athlete … Drew recruiting attention from Baylor, South Alabama, UL Lafayette, Southeastern Louisiana and Houston Baptist.