FRISCO, Texas – Lamar University junior running back Khalan Griffin highlights a list of four Cardinals who have been named to the 2023 Preseason All-Southland Conference teams announced league officials late Friday morning. Griffin is a first-team selection while teammates Sevonne Rhea (So., wide receiver), sophomore Kristian Pugh (So., defensive back) and Ramond Stevens (Jr., defensive back) received second-team honors.
 
Griffin transferred to Lamar last season and had an immediate impact on the squad. He led the team and finished sixth in the league carrying the ball 109 times for 619 yards (5.7 ypc) and six touchdowns. A hard-nosed running back, Griffin had a stretch late in the season where he recorded back-to-back 100-yard efforts (114 vs. Prairie View and 131 vs. Nicholls), and just missed a third consecutive century mark with an 84-yard effort against Southeastern Louisiana.
 
Griffin's numbers are made even more impressive when considering the Cardinals had a stable of young backs last season that were all sharing time at running back and had three backs that rushed for nearly 350 yards in 2022.
 
Joining Griffin on the offensive side of the ball was Rhea. Similar to Griffin, Rhea transferred in prior to the start of the 2022 campaign to lock down a starting role out of camp. Rhea never relinquished his starting spot and went on to haul in 24 passes for a team-best 448 yards (18.7 ypr) and a touchdown.
 
A two-way threat for the Cardinals, Rhea had two 100-yard receiving games last year with three-catches for 113 yards and a score in the season opener at Abilene Christian and a three-catch, 102-yard performance against Houston Christian.
 
Two members of the Cardinals secondary were also named to the preseason second team in Pugh and Stevens. While Stevens was one of the league's top defensive rookies last season, Stevens is entering his third season with the Red and White.
 
Stevens was one among the team leaders in tackles as a sophomore. He ended the year with 43 total tackles, including one for a loss, and two interceptions to go along with nine pass breakups. His 11 passes defended ended the 2022 campaign ranked fifth in the Southland. He also recovered a fumble on the season.
 
The New Orleans, La., native recorded a season-high three pass breakups at Abilene Christian and had at least one breakup in seven games and multiple breaks ups in three games. His interceptions came at the end of the season against Southeastern Louisiana and McNeese.
 
A local product from Beaumont's West Brook High School, Pugh recorded 31 tackles during his rookie season, including 20 solo stops. He was also credited with a tackle for a loss, picked off a pass and broke up four others with a forced fumble. Pugh was a key part of a secondary that intercepted 10 passes.
 
Despite his rookie status, Pugh saved his biggest performances for the Cardinals' toughest opponents. He recorded six tackles each against SMU and Southeastern Louisiana. His six stops against the Mustangs were all solo stops.
 
The 2023 preseason all-conference teams were announced ahead of Monday's Southland Conference Virtual Media Day when head coach Pete Rossomando and selected players will go in front of the media.