BEAUMONT, Texas – Six Lamar University football players have been named to the Phil Steele and The Blue Bloods All-Southland Conference teams announced publication officials Thursday morning. Among LU's six selections were two first-team honorees in running back Damashja Harris (running back) and Luke Wallis (long snapper).
 
In addition to the Cardinals' two first-team selections, junior Tyler Jackson (linebacker) and freshman Major Bowden (kick returner) received second-team honors, while sophomore Khalan Griffin (running back) and junior Alfonso Deleon (punter) garnered third-team recognition.
 
In addition to his responsibilities returning kicks, Harris was also the team's starting running back. Harris was one of the nation's top kick returners. He finished the year with 10 returns for 334 yards (33.4 pr) and one kick returned for a score. Harris received Southland Special Teams Player of the Week honors following the game against Houston Christian after returning two kicks for 133 years, including a school record 100-yard return. He was one of two Cardinals to return a kick for a TD this past season (Bowden was the other).
 
A freshman running back, Bowden proved his ability as a two-way threat for the Cardinals in 2022. The China Springs native returned nine kicks for 269 yards (29.9 pr) on the season with a touchdown. His return for a score (98 yards) would have been a school record had it not been for Harris just a few weeks earlier. Bowden also received league special team recognition for his efforts.
 
Joining Harris on the first team was Wallis who wrapped up his LU career as one of the most consistent deep snappers – in two different leagues – during his four years on campus. As a rookie (his redshirt year), Wallis served as the team's starting long snapper in the NCAA FCS playoff game at Northern Iowa (due to injuries on the depth chart). Wallis never missed a start in his four-year career.
 
Jackson, who was named to the all-conference team as voted on by the coaches, posted a career year for the Cardinals leading the team and finishing third in the Southland with 98 total tackles, including 35 unassisted stops. In addition to his overall tackles, Jackson also led the team and ranked sixth in the SLC with 9.5 tackles for losses. Jackson was also credited with a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry on the season.
 
A Rice transfer, Griffin was one of the league's top newcomers. He led the team and ranked among the league leaders with 109 carries for 619 yards (5.7 pc) with six touchdowns. The Tyler, Texas native posted consecutive 100-yard rushing performances against Prairie View A&M and Nicholls, and just missed a third 100-yard performance the following week against Southeastern Louisiana.
 
 
Griffin was joined on the third team by Deleon. A native of Shreveport, La., Deleon took over the punting duties for LU and never looked back becoming one of the league's more consistent punters. Deleon averaged better than 40 yards per punt including 11 of at least 50 yards or more. He boomed 17 punts inside the opponents 20 yard line and recorded a punt of 70 yards earlier this season.