BEAUMONT, Texas – With preseason camp in full swing, LamarCardinals.com will be doing its annual position-by-position breakdown of the team heading into the season opener at Texas State (Aug. 31, 2024).
 
Today LamarCardinals.com will break down the LU defensive line.
 
DL Quick Facts:
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7/3
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/1
Newcomers: 5

 
Stats: After a bit of slow start (which is really unfair to say considering Lamar's non-conference schedule last season), the Cardinals ended the year ranked third in the league in total defense (371.0 ypg), sixth in rushing (190.9 ypg), second in passing (180.1 ypg) and second in scoring (23.5 ppg). Not bad for a young squad, and let's not forget those numbers were skewed just a bit by the fact that Lamar faced two eventual national seeds in the FCS playoffs and one FBS squad. The Cardinals also recorded 63 tackles for losses and 20 sacks on the year (and before you roll your eyes, we understand that not every sack/TFL is recorded by a lineman just like every pick is not recorded by a defensive back).
 
Key Player: Caleb Williams – a preseason All-SLC and All-America selection, Williams has been around the program and has the potential for a big season. After recording four starts and making 26 tackles as a sophomore, he posted second-team all-conference honors last season after starting all 11 games and more than doubling his production.
 
The Storyline
The defensive front could be strong for the Red and White this year. We've already talked quite about the preseason honors at other positions so no need to rehash the fact that preseason honors are meaningless until proven during the regular season. In fact, the coaching staff would probably prefer we don't harp on it at all so we will go with that, plus becoming an All-American is not easy. The focus should simply be getting better every day.
 
After finishing fourth on the squad in tackles last season (58 total stops, 14 solo tackles, 6 tackles for losses), Williams enters this year as the team's No. 2 returning tackler. The Cardinals will need him to show continued improvement in the middle of the line similar to what fans have grown accustomed to over the past couple of seasons. Even on an off night, Williams should prove an immovable object making it tough on opposing offenses to get much done on the ground, but he is just one of the returning starters.
 
Another senior, Jaymond Jackson, has been very consistent for the Red and White during his career. After a highly touted career at Lindale High School, Jackson has been a regular part of the Cardinals rotation on defense for each of the past three seasons. He played in 11 games earning eight starts as a freshman and has played in 23 games earning 22 starts in the past two seasons. He enters his final year of eligibility with 69 total tackles (35 unassisted stops) and 14.5 tackles for losses. Last season he tied for ninth in the league in TFLs.
 
Williams and Jackson give the Cards a good starting point up the middle and one side and will look to fill the tackle position. That duo will be counted on for leadership to help bring along several young members – who we will get to in a moment.
 
Although Peyton Christian is the not considered a returning starter, he did post two starts at tackle despite his true freshman status so it wouldn't be earth shattering for him if the coaching staff turned to him to for the other starting role. He ended his rookie campaign with 18 tackles including two for losses. Lamar also returns one other player from last year's final depth chart – Kei'Trone Simpson (Sophomore, 10 games, 14.0 tackles, 2.5 tackles for losses and one quarterback hurry).
 
Other sophomores who figured into the mix as the 2023 season rolled on were Royce Maloles (seven games, seven tackles and one sack), Jacob Ferree (10 games, nine tackles) and Colin Hedges (three games, two tackles). All three should be pushing for more playing time this season with another year of experience under their belts.
 
Let's just assume – for the sake of argument – that the previously mentioned names will be in the hunt for either starting roles or majority of snaps. Here is where things get fun if you're a true fan. The last three names mentioned are all just sophomores. The rest of the group consists of five freshmen (two true and three redshirt) and three transfers (one senior and two juniors) – meaning there are a lot of new faces in this group. The reason that is fun is because every year there are young unknowns who step up and into the spotlight. The Cardinals' front will definitely have some of that this season and we have a talented crop of younger guys – at several positions – now we get to sit back and watch them grow into the stars of tomorrow.
 
 
Can LU's defense be better than last year? It remains to be seen, and a lot of things have to fall into place – most importantly, guys have to stay healthy – but the talent is there for it to happen.