FRISCO, Texas – Seven Cardinals (three offense, three defense and one specialist) have been named to the 2023 All-Southland Conference teams announced league officials Wednesday morning. The team was highlighted by Damashja Harris earning first team honors at kick returner.
 
Harris was joined on the 2023 All-Southland squad by second-team selections Khalan Griffin (running back), Jevale Roberson (offensive line), Elias Ripley (offensive line), Caleb Williams (defensive line), Joshua Ofili (defensive back) and Ramond Stevens (defensive back).
 
The Cardinals' seven selections this season equal the total number of postseason honorees for the Red and White since 2019 combined.
 
Harris has become a game-changing weapon on special teams. He overcame injuries to lead the league averaging 26.8 yards per kickoff return. He was also the only player in the conference to return a kick for a touchdown – 95 yards against Northwestern State – during the 2023 season earning SLC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. On the season, he returned 19 kicks for 509 yards.
 
A preseason all-conference selection, Griffin backed up the hype on the field. The Tyler, Texas native carried the ball 177 times for 823 yards (4.6 ypc) and five touchdowns. Griffin ended the year second in the league averaging 74.8 yard per game but led the league in total rushing yards. He also ended the season with three 100-yard rushing performances.
 
The Cardinals saw improved production from its offense in 2023 a huge reason for that was the improved play from its offensive line, and Ripley and Roberson were rewarded for that improved play. The duo combined to play in 18 games earning 15 starts and produced the league's second-leading rusher (total yards) and protected the Southland second-leading passer in terms of pass efficiency.
 
The Cardinals also had two selections in the secondary – Stevens and Ofili. While Stevens was a preseason all-conference selection, Ofili transferred to Lamar for his senior season and was one of the league's top newcomers. Stevens started all 11 games this season and finished sixth on the team with 49 total stops, including three for losses and a sack. He also broke up six passes and forced two fumbles. Stevens received SLC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after recovering a blocked PAT and returning it 95 yards for a two-point conversion at Nicholls.
 
Ofili led the team, and finished seventh in the league, in total tackles with 74, including 2.5 for losses. He also broke up three passes and picked off one, which he returned 37 yards. Ofili ended the season with two double-figure tackle performances, including a season-high 13 against eventual conference champion Nicholls. One of his most memorable plays of the season came on a solo stop at the goal line on a two-point conversion to preserve a victory in the Cardinals' season opener.
 
An anchor on the Cardinals' defensive line, Williams started every game for the Red and White. He ended the year fourth on the team in tackles (58) including 14 unassisted stops. He also finished third on the team with 6.0 tackles for losses and three quarterback hurries.