BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University added seven transfers – one junior college and six from four-year schools – signed five to National Letters of Intent on National Signing Day announced Pete Rossomando at a press conference Wednesday morning. The newest additions to the class bring the overall signing class to 29 (20 signees and nine transfers – two JUCOs).
 
Two members of the Cardinals' incoming class signed during the early signing period but waited until National Signing Day to announce their decision.
 
"You go into every recruiting season with a set of needs. Obviously, the transfer portal being what it is things are ever changing," said Rossomando. "But, you go in with some needs and spots you want to fill and I think our coaching staff has done an amazing job of canvasing the state of Texas and Louisiana to find not only the best players but the best fits for us."  
 
The National Signing Day haul leans to the defensive side of the ball with only two newcomers on offense side. The additions include five defensive backs, three defensive linemen, two linebackers, a running back and a tight end.
 
"We wanted to get a little bit longer at corner, and we accomplished that with the addition of Nicholas Brown," said Rossomando. "We also wanted to get more physical at linebacker and I felt like we did that too. We also continued to build on our transfer class. We believe those guys are going to come in and make an immediate impact."
 
Overall, between Early Signing Day and National Signing Day, the Cardinals class consists of 17 defensive players and 12 offensive. The overall position breakdown includes seven linebackers (two outside), seven defensive backs (four safeties), four defensive linemen (with one signee listed both as a lineman and linebacker). On the other side of the ball Lamar is bringing in three offensive linemen, three receivers, three running backs, two tight ends and a quarterback.
 
The incoming four-year transfers range from the Atlantic Coast Conference to the NCAA Division III level, with the junior college transfer coming to the Golden Triangle from Riverside Community College.
 
"When you're talking about transfers – especially those with just one year remaining – they normally don't want to take a shot with a 'rebuild,'" said Rossomando. "I think since we proved that we've made a lot of progress, we're not where we need to be yet, but they're maybe the ones who can help get us over the top and it increased our transfer class.
 
"I think the freshman class had more to do with relationships. As you build those and you start to show you're winning it obviously helps in how you develop a class and the better players you get," added Rossomando.
 
The newest additions represent several different regions of the country as they include seven Texans, and one player each from Louisiana, New Jersey, Georgia, North Carolina and Florida.
  Nicholas Brown – DB – 6-0 – 158 – Cypress, Texas/Cy Springs HS
High School: A first-team all-conference selection … A two-year letterwinner … Hauled in 35 passes for 638 yards (18.2 ypc) and three touchdowns in two seasons on the offensive side of the ball … Finished his high school career with 936 all-purpose yards … Also a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball … Was a key factor to Cy Springs 7-0 start in 2023 – the best start in school history … Led Cy Springs to a league title.
 
Dillon Dixon – LB – 6-1 – 215 – Houston, Texas/North Shore HS
High School: Four-year letterwinner … A 21-6A First-Team All-District selection … Considered the No. 73 prospect on VYPE Houston's Hot 100 … Rated as high as a three-star prospect by some recruiting services … Guided North Shore to a district title and perfect 7-0 record … Also received interest from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, UIW, Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State.
 
Aidan Grummer – TE – 6-2 – 246 – Argyle, Texas/Liberty Christian HS
High School: Key figure in Liberty Christian's run to a TAPPS Division II state championship … Guided Liberty Christian to a district title with a perfect record as a junior … As a senior, Grummer overcame injuries to haul in four passes for 30 yards … One of his receptions went for a score … Played for NFL All-Pro tight end Jason Whitten.
 
Jordan James – DB – 6-1 – 186 – Spring, Texas/Westfield HS
High School: Guided Spring Westfield to a 23-2 overall record and back-to-back district titles … Also a sprinter on the Westfield track and field team.
 
IyiolaOluwa Solomi – DL – 6-0 – 268 – Denton, Texas/Braswell HS
High School: A two-time all-district selection … Received first-team all-district honors as a senior … Recorded 15 tackles for losses in just eight games as a senior … Recorded 32 total tackles with 17 unassisted stops … Of his 15 tackles for losses three were sacks … Was also credited with an forced fumble and a safety.
  Christian Booker – DL – 6-2 – 277 – Humble, Texas/Nimitz HS (East Texas Baptist)
East Texas Baptist: A two-time All-ASC selection … A 2023 first-team All-ASC honoree … Played in 10 games recording 31 tackles, including 19 unassisted stops … Ranked among the conference leaders with 12 tackles for losses and 5.5 sacks … Also picked off a pass and recorded 10 quarterback hurries as a sophomore … That coming on the heels of a freshman campaign where he recorded 28 stops (15 solos) with 10 tackles for losses and 4.5 sacks … He also recorded three hurries and recovered a fumble during his rookie season.
High School: A first-team all-district selection … Two-sport letterwinner … A district champion in the shot put and an area qualifier in both the shot put and discus throw.
 
Xavier Coleman – RB – 5-8 – 185 – Willingboro, N.J./Lenape HS (Boston College)
Boston College: A two-year letterwinner at Boston College … Played in 11 games making one start … Carried the ball 28 times for 124 yards and a touchdown … Hauled in six passes for 15 yards … Also had a 20-yard kick off return.
High School: A three-star prospect according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals … New Jersey's second rated running back recruit according to 247Sports … Rated as the No. 12 player in New Jersey by Rivals, No. 17 by 247Sports and No. 20 by ESPN … Listed as the No. 47 running back in the country by 247Sports and the No. 14 all-purpose back by Rivals … Nine touchdowns on the season, including six on the ground and three receiving … First-team all-state in 2020, second-team all-state in 2019 … Named the 2019 Burlington County Player of the Year … Lenape's all-time touchdown leader … Part of a 2017 squad that won a state title.
 
Edward Gilds – DB – 6-0 – 185 – New Orleans, La./St. Augustine HS (Riverside City Coll.)
Junior College: A JC Gridiron JUCO All-America selection … Two-time all-conference honoree.
High School: A first-team all-district selection after a season that saw him record 55 solo tackles and intercept three passes … Those numbers came on the heels of a junior campaign that saw him record 84 total tackles, including 47 unassisted stops during his junior season … Also picked off four passes.
 
Ronnie Hamrick – DB – 6-0 – 190 – Lilburn, Ga./Parkview HS (Texas State)
Texas State: A two-year letterwinner … Played in 15 games with one start … Made 24 total tackles, including 10 solo stops with one tackle for a loss …  Recorded a career-high eight tackles at Coastal Carolina.
High School: Played cornerback, safety and wide receiver in high school … Recorded 48 tackles, had three interceptions and forced a fumble in 2020 … Helped Panthers finish with an 8-4 record and reach the third round of the Georgia 7A playoffs … Named honorable mention all-state following his senior season … Registered 28 tackles with two interceptions and seven breakups as a junior … Earned all-region honors in 2019 … Led Parkview HS to a 12-2 record and the Georgia 7A semifinals … Also competed in track and field as a sprinter … Originally signed with Central Florida before changing to Texas State.
 
DeJuan Lewis – DB – 5-10 – 195 – Pearland, Texas/Shadow Creek HS (Prairie View A&M)
Prairie View A&M: A two-year letterwinner … Finished seventh on the team with 38 tackles, including a season-high 11 against nationally ranked UIW … Played in 12 games during his sophomore season … Recorded 62 stops, including 36 solo tackles and 2.0 tackles for losses … Forced two fumbles and picked off two passes.
High School: As a junior he recorded 66 tackles and picked off four passes … Also had offers from Air Force and Navy coming out of high school.
 
Hamilton Moore – ILB – 6-0 – 220 – Raleigh, N.C./Enloe HS (Yale)
Yale: A three-year letterwinner … A second-team All-Ivy League selection as a junior … Tied for team-high honors with 63 total tackles in 2022, including 3.0 for losses and 1.5 sacks … Also picked off a team-high four passes … Picked off two interceptions against Harvard to help secure the Ivy League Championship … Was named Ivy Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.
High School: A four-year starter at linebacker … Named CAP 7 Conference Player of the Year … Enloe HS Male Athlete of the Year … Oxnar Permar Scholar-Athlete … HSOT All-East Team Offense … A three-time CAP 7 All-Conference selection … Led Enloe HS to its winningest season in school history … Record 4,000 career yards and 35 touchdowns.
 
Amari Williams – DL – 6-2 – 280 – N. Miami Beach, Fla./N. Miami Beach HS (Liberty)
Prior to LU: Played in 17 games at Fullerton College recorded 27 total tackles, including 13 unassisted stops before transferring to Liberty … Was also credited with 3.0 sacks during his JUCO career.