BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University added 11 players – seven transfers and four high school standouts – to the 2025 roster announced head coach Pete Rossomando at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. The newest additions bring the Cardinals' 2024-25 signing class to 25 (18 signees and seven transfers).
 
The transfers during the late signing period include one junior college and six Division I transfers. Among the six DI transfers, two make their way to the Golden Triangle from NCAA FBS programs, while another comes from within the Southland Conference (Andrew Huff – Houston Christian).
 
The late signing class includes an almost even mix of talent with six players on offense and five defensive. The position breakdown for the recent additions includes three defensive backs (two corners and one safety), two quarterbacks, a tight end, offensive lineman, running back, receiver, linebacker and a defensive end.
 
"The recruiting process always begins with your needs and then as you get down the stretch closer to signing day you work to find the best fits for your program," said Rossomando. "I think that is where guys like Albert Simon, Denim Orebo and Roy Thomas fit into the mix. They not only fall into category of best available players but also fit what we are doing on offense and defense."
 
The overall signing class is split right down the middle with 13 offensive players and 12 on defense. It includes six defensive backs, five offensive linemen, three quarterbacks, three linebackers, three defensive linemen, three receivers, a tight end and a running back.
 
Lamar's coaching staff extended beyond the borders of Texas as the 2025 class represents four states – Texas (8), Missouri (1), Illinois (1) and Virginia (1). The class also includes three Southeast Texans – Roy Thomas Jenkins (who began his career in Beaumont), Denim Orebo (West Orange-Stark HS) and Albert Simon (Nederland HS). The entire 2024-25 class will consist of five Southeast Texans (Reagan Langston/Beaumont West Brook HS and Mason Wuenschel/Port Neches-Groves HS signed in December).
 
"One thing that stands out with this class is the number of guys we signed from the Golden Triangle," said Rossomando. "We are making footprints into a lot of these high schools and have the ability to take guys that fit our system on both sides of the ball. These guys also fit the type of character that we're looking for. These are players that I think will factor in for us early in their careers."
 
With the graduation of two-year starter Robert Coleman finishing his career at LU, and backup Jakolby Longino entering his final season of eligibility, quarterback was a need for the Cardinals. Big Red added two signal callers during the late period – Jenkins and transfer Mekhi Hagens (Arkansas-Pine Bluff).
 
"We have created competition at the quarterback spot, similar to what we had when I arrived in the spring two years ago," said Rossomando. "In addition to the signees, we also return Longino, Aidan McCown and Brady Driver. It is going to be a heck of a battle leading into next season. These guys will be battling to see who gets the upper hand heading into spring ball. If we have a leader coming out of spring great but if not then we head into the summer with the same type of competition."
 
Jenkins is a highly-touted prospect who wrapped up his career at St. Thomas High School. A three-star prospect according to several publications, Jenkins held more than 10 NCAA Division I offers including Power 4 schools. 
 
A greatly sought after player in his own right coming out of high school, Hagens was a four-star athlete who originally signed with Arkansas-Pine Bluff. During his two seasons with the Golden Lions, he completed better than 50 percent of his passes for 3,094 yards and 19 touchdowns and also rushed for nearly 350 yards.
 
This duo joins Julian Salazar (League City, Texas/Clear Springs HS) who signed with the program in December.
    
Roy Thomas Jenkins – 6-3 – 205 – QB – Houston, Texas / St. Thomas HS
High School: A two-star prospect according to Rivals … A three-star QB according to TexasFootball.com and On3 … Ended the 2024 season rated as the sixth-best quarterback according to TDrecruits.com … Played football at Kelly Catholic and West Brook High School before transferring to St. Thomas … An Adidas Freshman All-American … Played in 31 games passing for 5,184 yards and 48 touchdowns … A three-sport letterwinner … Comes to Lamar over offers from Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Houston, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Southern Mississippi and UTSA among others.
 
Connor Martin – 6-4 – 240 – TE – Irving, Texas / MacArthur HS
High School: A versatile athlete who earned honorable mention all-district honors … A standout in the classroom as well as earning academic all-district honors … A two-time MaxPreps Player of the Game selection as a sophomore … Played in 22 games during his three years with varsity … Rushed for 516 yards, passed for 424 and had 199 receiving yards (1,139 total yards).
 
Denim Orebo  – 6-4 – 290 – OL – Orange, Texas / West Orange-Stark HS
High School: First-team All-District 9-4A … Named to the 2025 Beaumont Enterprise Super Gold Team … A 2024 4A-D2 All-State selection.
 
Albert Simon – 6-1 – 215 – LB – Nederland, Texas / Nederland HS
High School: A three-star prospect according to 247Sports.com … A two-star prospect according to Rivals … Rated as the No. 220 linebacker nationally and among the top 320 prospects in the state of Texas according to 247Sports … A two-time all-district selection … Recorded 113 total tackles with eight sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown as a junior … Those numbers came following a sophomore season that saw him make 51 stops with three tackles and two forced fumbles … A two-sport letterwinner at NHS … Also received interest from Iowa State, UTEP, North Texas and Missouri State.
   
Sean Connor – 6-0 – 195 – S – Houston, Texas / Lamar HS (Trinity Valley CC)
Junior College: Two-year letterwinner … Played in 19 games making 83 tackles, with 4.0 tackles for loss, seven pass break ups two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
High School: Recorded 26 tackles in 10 games on the defensive side of the ball … Also deflected seven passes and recorded one interception …  A first-team all-district selection.
 
Mekhi Hagens – 6-3 – 210 – QB – St. Louis, Mo.  / Cardinal Ritter HS (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)
UAPB: Completed 228-of-445 (.512) passes for 3,094 yards and 19 touchdowns during his two seasons at UAPB … Also rushed from 328 yards and seven scores.
High School: A four-star recruit coming out of high school after passing for more than 4,500 yards and 54 touchdowns … Named team MVP after earning first-team all-district and first-team all-state honors.
 
Andrew Huff – 6-2 – 215 – DE – Stafford, Texas / Stafford HS (Houston Christian)
Houston Christian: Played in 22 games during his two seasons at HCU … Recorded 50 tackles, including 2.5 for losses with a sack and fumble forced in 2024 … Recorded 68 tackles including 4.5 for losses and 2.5 sacks overall.  
High School: Registered 92 total tackles, including 10 for losses with nine sacks as a senior … Also forced eight fumbles with two recoveries during his final prep season … Named District 12-4A Co-Defensive Player of the Year … A three-time all-district selection and a two-time first-team pick.
 
Paul Omodia  – 6-2 – 194 – CB – Richmond, Texas / George Bush HS (Illinois State)
Illinois State: Spent two seasons in Normal, Ill., utilizing his redshirt during his first season … Played in 12 games recording 32 tackles last season … Was also credited with 14 solo tackles and 1.5 tackles for losses … Picked off two passes, recorded a breakup, one QB hurry and recovered two fumbles.
High School: A three-year letterwinner … During his senior season, received first-team all-district honors and was named league all-purpose player of the year … Named team MVP and was also an academic all-district selection … Finished the year with 13 tackles, with one touchdown and an interception … Named first-team all-district and Bush HS Defensive Back of the Year as a junior … Made 50 tackles that season and picked off a pass leading Bush to the playoffs … Burst onto the scene during his sophomore season where he made 25 tackles and picked off six passes to earn second-team all-district honors.
 
Demarcus Rankin – 5-11 – 185 – CB – Ferris, Texas / Ferris HS (Wake Forest)
Wake Forest: Spent two seasons with the Demon Deacons recording 18 tackles … Transferred to Wake Forest from Notre Dame College where he played in 21 games during his two seasons guiding NDC to a conference title in his final season … Recorded 17 tackles including 14 solos … He also picked off two passes and recorded eight pass deflections.
High School: A two-time first-team all-district selection … Second-team All-Ellis County … A two-sport letterwinner … Team captain in football … Recorded 22 total tackles during his senior season with seven unassisted stops and one for a loss … Also picked off a pass and forced another fumble.
 
Joshua Robinson – 6-0 – 206 – RB – Bolingbrook, Ill. / Bolingbrook HS (Illinois State)
Illinois State: Spent two seasons with the Redbirds … Played in four contests in 2023 carrying the ball 26 times for 146 yards and a score … Still maintained his redshirt season … Had nine carries for 68 yards in 2024.
 
High School: A three-year letterwinner … Rushed for 620 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior … Also made 20 catches out of the backfield during his final prep season … A key factor in helping Bolingbrook to the playoffs that season … Rushed for 900 yards earning all-conference honors as a junior … During the COVID shortened sophomore season rushed for 643 yards in six games to earn all-league honors … Also received recruiting attention from Air Force, Army and UConn.
 
Jamahdia Whitby – 6-3 – 210 – WR – Williamsburg, Va. / Jamestown HS (Coastal Carolina)
Prior to Lamar: Spent last season at Coastal Carolina after playing three years at Hampden-Sydney … Played in 25 games making nine starts with Hampden-Sydney … Made 81 catches for 883 yards (10.9 ypr) and 10 touchdowns … Also carried the ball eight times for 93 yards and a score … Led the conference in receiving touchdowns as a sophomore.
High School: Earned all-region honors and was named team offensive MVP as a senior … Led team in receiving yards and touchdown receptions … A three-sport athlete who also earned all-state and all-region honors as a member of the track and field team.