BEAUMONT, Texas – Senior tight end Nathan Gaskamp, junior linebacker Jalen Freeman and sophomore receiver Sevonne Rhea have been named captains for the 2023 season announced Lamar University head coach Pete Rossomando Tuesday morning.
 
In addition to the season captains, junior defensive linemen Caleb Williams has been named a captain for the season opener against No. 8 Idaho.
 
"I'm very excited to be naming our captains," said Rossomando. "These young men have not only earned the respect of the coaching staff but from their teammates as well. This is a position of leadership that must be earned, and these young men have done that both on and off the field."
 
Gaskamp is a "do everything" type of player who has always put the team first. Entering his fourth year with the program (including the COVID-shortened 2020 season), Gaskamp has played in 23 games earning six starts for the Red and White. During that time, he has carried the ball 13 times for 49 yards with a touchdown and caught eight passes for 114 yards and three touchdowns.
 
Similar to Gaskamp, Freeman is also entering his fourth season with the Red and White. One of the team's top tacklers from 2022, Freeman has played in 26 games during his career starting all 11 games last season. He ended the year with 44 total stops, including eight for losses and three sacks.
 
Rhea transferred to LU prior to the start of the 2022 season and had an immediate impact. Rhea played in and started 10 games during his first year with the program and hauled in 24 passes for a team-high 448 yards with a touchdown. He recorded two 100-yard receiving efforts along the way just missing a third. He was also a two-way threat for the Cardinals returning nine punts for 48 yards.
 
Williams will serve as a captain for the opener against the nationally ranked Vandals. Entering his fifth year in Beaumont (including his redshirt season), Williams played in 10 games last season earning four starts on the defensive line. A three-year letterwinner with the program, Williams made 26 tackles from his interior lineman position and recorded 3.5 for losses and registered 2.5 sacks.
 
The Cardinals will open the 2023 regular season Thursday against No. 8 Idaho. The game against the Vandals is set for a 7 p.m. kick off from Provost Umphrey Stadium. It will also be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI and ESPN+.
 
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