BEAUMONT, Texas – An entire offseason has come and gone since Lamar made its run to the NCAA FCS Playoffs, and with players having officially reported for preseason camp, it's time for the 2026 version of the Cardinals to write their own chapter. It also means LamarCardinals.com will once again be posting its annual position-by-position breakdowns leading up to the team's season opener Saturday, Aug. 29 at home against Abilene Christian.
 
Today LamarCardinals.com will break down the LU tight ends.
 
RB Quick Facts:
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 3/3
Starters Returning/Lost: 1/1
Newcomers: 4*
*This includes Nick Rossomando who moves over from the defensive side of the ball. While he is not a newcomer to the team, he is a newcomer the position.

Stats:  Lamar's tight ends hauled in 39 passes for 408 (10.5 ypr) and two touchdowns in 2025.
 
Key Player: Junior Morgan Sampson (four receptions for 16 yards) started eight games last season.
 
The Storyline
It will begin to sound like a broken record with most of the Cardinal position groups needing to replace several starters this year, but in this day and age of the transfer portal that has become commonplace for nearly all teams. The bad news for Lamar is they will be looking to replace a first-team all-conference selection and three letterwinners from last year's postseason squad, but LU returns one starter – Orangefield native Morgan Sampson – along with position coach Andrew Sparano who has been with head coach Pete Rossomando since his arrival and played a key role in helping transform Devyn Gibbs – a former high school quarterback – into the league's top tight end.
 Despite the losses, Lamar returns a plethora of talented guys with varying skill sets led by Sampson who started eight games in 2025. Sampson only had four receptions in 2025, but he was surrounded by three seniors who received most of the targets. A Southeast Texas product, Sampson is a leader both on and off the field and has proven he can carry the load when called upon to do so. 
 
He will be joined by returners Tyler Bonkowski (6-2, 252, So.), C.J. Demas (6-2, 252, So.), Aidan Grummer (6-2, 249, So.), Skylar Stankovich (6-2, 223, Fr.) and Mason Thomas (6-1, 242, So.), while Nick Rossomando (5-8, 226, Jr.) moves over from the defensive side of the ball. This group alone stands 6-1, 242, and each brings with them their own strengths.
 
During the offseason, the coaches added three newcomers – two via the portal – and one high school standout. The two transfers – Davin Driskell (6-5, 240) and Chris Vickerson (6-5, 227) both have NCAA FCS experience on their résumés. Driskell was at Charleston Southern before transferring to Fairmount State where he would go on to earn all-conference honors, while Vickerson comes to the Golden Triangle from a Presbyterian squad that just recorded one of the best seasons in school history. 
 
The incoming freshman is Justin Neal who declined some FBS offers to make his way to Beaumont. A pure athlete, Neal garnered several all-district honors in multiple sports for Waco's University High and he will now can put his entire focus into football.