BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University has signed 14 high school standouts on early signing day announced head coach Pete Rossomando Wednesday morning. Early signing day began during the 2017-18 academic year but the 2024 period marks the first time it has landed on the first week of December.
 
The 2024 early signing class includes an even mix of players on both sides of the ball (seven offense and seven defensive signees). The offensive signees include four offensive linemen, two receivers and a quarterback, while the defense includes three defensive backs, two linebackers and two defensive linemen (one tackle and one end).
 
"Most importantly, we filled some needs with this incoming group of players," said Rossomando. "We needed to get bigger and more physical on both the offense and defensive line and I felt like we have done that. We also wanted to bring in players from proven winning programs. We feel good about what these guys are going to do at Lamar."
 
Rossomando's third recruiting class as LU head coach comes following consecutive improved seasons. During his first year at the helm, the Cardinals recorded one of the nation's top single-season turnarounds – going from 1-10 to 6-5. For an encore, Lamar won seven games this past season to record the first back-to-back winning seasons in school history since the 1966 and 1967.
 
"Most of these guys we've been recruiting for the past two years," said Rossomando. "The talent we're bringing in solidifies what we've talked about since the beginning. We have worked on our culture and we're at a point in the process where I don't mind having recruits talk to anyone in our locker room. I feel really good about our guys being around recruits and what they will say about the program. I didn't have that level of comfort when I first arrived."
 
Big Red's coaching staff remained primarily within the borders of the Lone Star State for the 2024 early signees with the lone exception being Fred Banks, Jr. (Metairie, La.). Among the in-state additions two – Reagan Langston (West Brook HS) and Mason Wuenschel (Port Neches-Groves HS) – are from the Golden Triangle as Lamar continues to keep local talent at home. 
 
The incoming class of recruits are signing at a key time for the Red and White. Lamar recognized 27 seniors during its final home game of the 2024 campaign.
     
Fred Banks, Jr.  – 6-1 – 275 – DT – Metairie, La. / Archbishop Rummel HS
High School: A four-year starter for Archbishop Rummel HS … Recorded eight sacks as s junior consistently forcing quarterbacks to hurry their throws … Named to LaFootballMagazine.com's All-Louisiana South Sleeper Team.  
Nehemiah Borner – 5-9 – 196 – OLB – Duncanville, Texas / Duncanville HS
High School: Racked up 115 total tackles during his senior season, including 76 solo stops … Was also credited with 10.5 tackles for a loss and 8.0 sacks … Had 14 quarterback hurries and recovered two fumbles … Helped lead Duncanville to the 2023 State title … A former MaxPreps Player of the Game selection … Had three consecutive sacks to close out a game and preserve a victory over Duncanville … Also received attention from Texas Tech and UL Monroe. 
 
Ean Carr – 6-1 – 185 – DB – Frisco, Texas / Lone Star HS
High School: A first-team all-district safety … Recorded 39 tackles during the regular season, including nine pass breakups and two interceptions – one his two picks he returned for a touchdown – while helping lead Lone Star HS to a district title … First-Team All Frisco ISD … Rated as one of the top 19 defensive backs in the entire Frisco area … Senior season numbers came following a junior campaign that saw Carr record 46 tackles, seven pass deflections, record two tackles for a loss and pick off a pass … Chose Lamar over offers from Cornell, Georgetown and Montana.  
 
Nicolaus Chenevert – 6-4 – 260 – OL – Houston, Texas / Davis HS
High School: Named team captain … A two-time first-team All-District 14-6A selection.
 
Demond Donahue – 6-2 – 280 – OL – McKinney, Texas / McKinney North HS
High School: A three-year starter on varsity … A first-team all-area and all-conference selection as a junior … Guided McKinney North to a conference and regional title and a second-place finish in state.
 
Caleb Holmes – 5-8 – 165 – DB – DeSoto, Texas / DeSoto HS
High School: A three-star prospect according to 247Sports who is also ranked among the top 305 players in the state of Texas …  A top 200 cornerback according to 247Sports … Recorded 87 total tackles, including 52 solo stops, in 27 games played … Also picked off a pass and deflected another … A three-time MaxPreps Player of the Game selection … Also received attention from Abilene Christian, North Alabama, Northeastern State and Southeastern Oklahoma … Also a standout on the track and field team.
 
Reagan Langston - 6-2 – 240 – OL – Beaumont, Texas / West Brook HS
High School: A three-year starter … A versatile athlete who was a tight end, defensive lineman and center during his prep career …  Received first-team all-district honors as a s center … Personal: Son of former Lamar offensive coordinator Chuck Langston, and mother, Amy Langston … Brother of former LU long snapper Christian Langston.
 
Sal Lograsso - 6-2 – 275 – OL – Frisco, Texas / Rock Hill HS
High School: Honorable Mention All-District selection … Helped lead Rock Hill to its first playoff appearance in school history.
 
Camden Patterson – 5-8 – 172 – WR – Dallas, Texas / Carter HS
High School: A three-star prospect who was a first-team all-district selection as a junior … Completed 84-of-184 passes for 1,108 yards and 10 touchdowns … Also carried the ball 273 times for 2,084 yards (7.6 ypc) and 22 touchdowns … Had five 100-yard rushing games … Caught 36 passes for 528 yards (14.7 ypc) and six touchdowns … Wrapped up his high school career with nearly 3,800 yards of total offense … A four-time MaxPreps Player of the Game … Two-sport letterwinner.
 
Julian Salazar - 6-0 – 193 – QB – League City, Texas / Clear Springs HS
High School: A four-year letterwinner … A three-star prospect according to the QBHitList.com … Completed 241-of-416 (.579) passes for 3,448 yards and 25 touchdowns during his career … Also carried the ball 144 times for 559 yards (3.9 ypc) and 12 touchdowns … Named District 24-6A Offensive MVP following his junior season … Guided the Chargers to 2024 Co-District 24-6A title … Also received attention from Stephen F. Austin.  
 
Carlos Coleman Talton – 6-2 – 235 – DL – Waco, Texas / Midway HS
High School: A first-team All-District 12-6A selection … In just six games played, Talton had recorded 20 tackles, seven tackles for losses, including six sacks, 30 quarterback pressures and one forced fumble … This coming on the heels of a junior season that saw him record 47 tackles, including nine for losses and 5.5 sacks, break up three passes and force three fumbles … A former MaxPreps Player of the Game selection.
 
Blake Thomas – 5-11 – 173 – WR – Houston, Texas / Summer Creek HS
High School: A versatile athlete who can play several positions … As a quarterback completed 344 passes (58 percent) for 5,009 yards and 58 touchdowns … Also carried the ball 222 times for 1,411 yards (6.4 ypr) with 22 touchdowns … Had five 100-yard rushing efforts … Helped lead Summer Creek to the regional finals for a second-straight season … A two-time MaxPreps Player of the Game … Also received some interest from Illinois State. 
 
Adian White - 6-2 – 180 – DB – Athens, Texas / Athens HS
High School: Ranked among the East Texas leaders in interceptions, pass breakups and interceptions returned for touchdowns ... Recorded 49 tackles, including 32 solo stops, during his senior season ... Was also credited with 13 pass breakups, four interceptions, of which two were returned for scores, forced two fumbles and recovered one ... Averaged 19.1 yards per return on 10 kickoff returns ... Hauled in 13 passes for 214 yards and a one touchdown ... A three-sport athlete in high school competing on the track and field team and basketball to go along with football.
 
Mason Wuenschel – 6-1 – 211 – LB – Groves, Texas / Port Neches-Groves HS
High School: A three-year letterwinner leading PNG to two state title appearances and the 2023 state championship … A 2023 First-Team All-District selection … The Indians are currently ranked No. 7 in the state at the 5A-DII level with a 12-1 overall record and have advanced to the region finals … PNG won the 2024 district title … Has recorded 97 total tackles over the course of the past two seasons, including 67 solo stops and 7.5 for losses … Has also recorded two sacks, picked off three passes, recovered two fumbles and forced another … A two-sport athlete receiving Perfect Game Preseason All-American honors on the diamond … Chose Lamar over an offer from North Texas.