BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University signed 16 players to National Letters of Intent announced head coach Blane Morgan Wednesday morning. The signing class, which consists of 16 incoming high school standouts marks the third signing class under Morgan's direction.
 
"Overall, I'm just excited about how hard our staff has worked now that we've been able to go out on the road and get into homes," said Morgan. "It is hard to believe, but this is our third recruiting class here but the first time we've been allowed to get out and really establish relationships with coaches and players. That has certainly solidified the process – one we plan to continue to improve upon."
 
The incoming class is balanced with a slight lean to the offensive side of the ball. The class includes eight offensive players and seven defensive with one player listed as an athlete. The position breakdown on offense includes four offensive linemen, two receivers, a running back and a tight end. Defensively, the breakdown consists of three defensive backs (all safeties), two linebackers and two defensive linemen.
 
The LU coaching staff focused on the Lone Star State and Louisiana for this class with 15 prospects coming from within the state, and one making their way to the Golden Triangle from Louisiana. The class also consists of two Southeast Texans, both from Beaumont's West Brook High School (Andre Dennis – WR and Khristian Pugh – S).
 
Despite the overall balance of the class, Morgan and his staff, put a focus on continuing to bulk up the offensive line while reloading the Cardinals' secondary. LU added eight players between the two positions. While the Cardinals' line was all underclassmen in 2021, the incoming recruits add depth and size to the position averaging 6-4, 280 pounds.
 
"From the beginning, it's been a complete rebuild on the offensive line," said Morgan. "We started three true freshman this past year, and now we've added some high-quality individuals to that group to go along with guys that will be here for another three years. We believe we have some guys that have the potential to be really good players for us."
 
It is different story for the secondary as LU will be looking to replace two starters in the defensive backfield.
 
"I'm excited about the group on the backend," said Morgan. "These guys bring a wide range of skill sets. The overall theme with these guys is they love to compete, and they really love football. At the safety position we wanted to get some guys who were playmakers and I believe we added that."
     
Bo Baker – ATH – 5-11 – 174 – Ravenna, Texas/Bells HS
 
High School: Received first-team all-state honors at safety and running back … Also received first-team all-district honors at safety and running back … Carried the ball 479 times for 4,000 yards and 42 touchdowns during his career … Averaged better than 100 rushing yards per game as a junior and senior … Caught 54 passes for 903 yards (18.4 ypr) and 15 touchdowns as a prepster … Also received recruiting attention from East Carolina … Lettered in basketball.
 
James Major Bowden – RB – 5-9 – 180 – Waco, Texas/China Spring HS
 
High School: Named District 9-4A Division II Co-Offensive MVP following his junior season … Guided prep squad to a perfect 14-0 record in regular season play and a district championship (5-0) …  Recorded 284 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a victory over West Orange-Stark HS … A three-sport athlete in the prep ranks.
 
Ian Box – OLB – 6-2 – 235 – Seguin, Texas/Seguin HS
 
High School: Named District 12-5A Defensive MVP … Named to the 2021 KSAT BGC Elite 12 list … Recorded 165 total tackles in 31 games over his three seasons on varsity, including 110 solo stops … Among his 165 tackles, 55.5 were for losses, including 24 TFLs as a sophomore … Was also credited with 20.5 sacks for more than 100 yards in losses during his career.
 
Reginald Burks – OL – 6-2 – 290 – Lake Charles, La./Lake Charles College Prep
 
High School: Rated as a two-star prospect according to Rivals.com … Received first-team all-state recognition … A first-team All-Southwest Region selection … Garnered first-team all-district honors … Guided his prep squad to an 8-2 (.800) overall record and a 5-0 district mark during his season year … Has also received attention from UL Monroe, Marshall and Grambling State.
 
Sabastian Carter – OL – 6-4 – 255 – Teague, Texas/Teague HS
 
High School: A three-year starter on both the offensive and defensive lines … On the defensive side of the ball as a junior recorded 41 tackles, including nine for losses and four sacks … Recognized as the best offensive linemen heading into his senior season by the Waco Tribune.

Zyon Clark – DB – 6-3 – 180 – Anahuac, Texas/Anahuac HS
 
High School: Guided prep squad to a 9-3 overall record and a near perfect 5-1 mark in district play as a senior … Recorded 60 tackles, with nine breakups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles ... Offensively, hauled in 26 passes for 600 receiving yards as a junior with six touchdowns … Considered a sleeper prospect by analysts after helping lead EPS Blaze 7x7 team to a state quarterfinal appearance … Picked off four passes and broke up seven others for the Blaze … A three-sport letterwinner who was also a standout on the basketball court and on the track and field team … Played receiver on the offensive side of the ball … Also received attention from UTSA, Louisiana Tech, UL Monroe and Sam Houston.
 
Andre Dennis – WR – 6-1 – 185 – Beaumont, Texas/West Brook HS
 
High School: Made 23 catches for 459 yards and five touchdowns … Recorded one of the longest TD catches in program history (99 yards) … Returned 10 kicks for 169 yards (16.9 ypr) … Was also a standout sprinter on the West Brook track and field team.
  
Brayden Faulkner – LB – 6-0 – 208 – Waco, Texas/China Spring HS
 
High School: A four-year starter on the gridiron … Garnered first-team all-district honors at outside linebacker as a junior … Former quarterback who moved to the defensive side of the ball … Was also a four-year starter in baseball … Named Texas Best Chevy Dealers Classroom Champion during the football season … A three-sport letterwinner at China Spring.
 
Jacob Ferree – DE – 6-2 – 227 – League City, Texas/Clear Springs HS
 
High School: A two-time first-team all-district selection … Also received first-team all-county honors from his defensive end position … Guided Clear Springs to a district runner-up finish … Also lettered in basketball and in track and field.
 
Spencer Henslee – TE – 6-4 – 222 – Humble, Texas/Atascocita HS
 
High School: Helped lead prep squad to 11 wins and a 5-1 district record … Guided Atascocita to a state quarterfinal appearance.
 
John Hester – OL – 6-4 – 287 – Hawkins, Texas/Hawkins HS
 
High School: A two-time first-team all-district selection on both the offensive and defensive lines … Named to the 2021 East Texas High School Football Preseason Dream Team … Garnered all-state honors after a junior season that saw him record 45 pancake blocks and allow no sacks … Chose LU over New Mexico and UTSA … Also lettered on the powerlifting team.
 
Izaha Jones – WR – 6-2 – 175 – Normangee, Texas/Normangee HS
 
High School: Will participate in the VIZER All-America Game … Top eight wide receiver for Lonestar Prep Texas High School … Three-time all-district and two-time first-team all-district … Garnered District 11-2A Division I Offensive MVP honors after racking up 1,039 receiving yards and 721 rushing yards as a junior … Scored 30 touchdowns during the 2020 season on his way to all-state honors … Guided Panthers to an 11-1 record in 2020 … An all-state and All-Brazos Valley selection … Those honors came on the heels of a co-offensive MVP honor and second team all-district honors … Also lettered in basketball, baseball and track and field … Named newcomer of the year on the court earning first-team all-district honors and was a state qualifier in track and field (triple jump) … Former state champion in the long jump.
 
Jayden Madkins – DL – 6-1 – 297 – Pearland, Texas/Shadow Creek HS
 
High School: Guided Shadow Creek to a 9-3 overall record and a perfect 7-0 district mark as a senior … Recorded 43 tackles, including 30 solo stops and three sacks during his senior season … Was also credited with four quarterback hurries.
 
Du'Wayne Paulhill, Jr. – S – 6-1 – 197 – Bryan, Texas/Bryan HS
 
High School: First-team all-district safety … Two-time all-district selection … Recorded 70 tackles and broke up 10 passes with an interception as a junior.
 
Khristian Pugh – S – 5-11 – 160 – Beaumont, Texas/West Brook HS
 
High School: Listed as one of the top defensive sleepers according to BrandidSports.com … Recorded 37 tackles, including 17 unassisted, and two for losses … Also broke up four passes … Ended the season with three interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns.
Preston Yarber – OL – 6-5 – 270 – Canton, Texas/Canton HS
 
High School: A three-time all-district selection … A three-sport athlete … Was also a standout in basketball and track and field.