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 breakdown leading up to the team's season opener Saturday, Aug. 29 at home against Abilene Christian.
 
Today LamarCardinals.com will break down the LU offensive linemen.
 
OL Quick Facts:
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 5/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 1/4
Newcomers: 5

Stats: Lamar's offense averaged more than 304 yards of total offense last season with nearly 143 of those coming on the ground. The Cardinals ended the year in the middle of the Southland in rushing offense, but eighth in passing (LU's passing game took a hit early in the season when then-starting quarterback Robert Coleman went down with an injury). The offense also ended the year with 196 first downs.

Key Player: John Hester (6-4, 327, Sr.) started all 13 games last season and is coming off his best year for the Red and White.
 
The Storyline
In doing these previews, we at LamarCardinals.com will take some heat from time-to-time in listing last year's stats because they are basically meaningless to the current team. We understand this and we do it simply for a point of reference. With that being, the offensive stats from last year might be the most meaningless for the linemen.
 
In a similar story to several other positions, 'LU took a big hit due to attrition' on the O-Line. Three players exhausted their eligibility and one left via the portal. For those fans who are accustomed to hitting the panic button quickly we will pause here to allow for said panic and to get it out of the way … PAUSE … now that we have taken care of that, let's take a look a few points that will relieve any potential anxiety.
 
Point No. 1, there is no need to worry because head coach Pete Rossomando and his staff knew this was coming and prepared for it almost since their arrival. From time-to-time folks get caught looking back at just the most recent recruiting class to try and find a 'fix' to potential problems (and before anyone tries to send me hate mail I'm NOT calling the line a problem), but you have to look at the recruiting classes since Rossomando's arrival. He always targets the offensive line position during the offseason. In the last two years alone (this includes the 2024 Early Signing Period, 2025 National Signing Day, 2025 Early and 2026 National Signing Day) the Cardinals have added 10 offensive linemen including three portal additions. Also, Rossomando is a former offensive linemen so let that sink in.
 
Point No. 2, the Cardinals return O-Line coach Matt Cannata for his fourth season who was promoted to co-offensive coordinator during the offseason. Cannata is a highly respected O-Line coach who has only produced six All-Southland Conference selections, including two first-team honorees, to go along with a freshman All-America during his very brief time in Beaumont. Those are staggering numbers for one position group in such a short amount of time. A 2025 Dave Campbell's Texas Football 40-Under-40 selection, Cannata has played a huge role in the line's continued development. So, for all the panic-button pushers out there just sit back relax and let Cannata and company do their thing. Also, head coach Pete Rossomando is a former offensive lineman – again let that sink in.
 
Point No. 3, is simply that Hester is really good. He is a veteran leader who started each game last season, and he is coached by one of the best O-Line coaches out there. Also, head coach Pete Rossomando is a former offensive lineman.
 
Point No. 4, and this might be the strongest argument, all Coach Rossomando and his staff have done since coming to Beaumont is get better and make history along the way. Winning more games that the year before, compiling a record number of all-conference selections, conference player of the week honors and most importantly advancing to the NCAA FCS Playoffs for just the second time in program history. Again, for all the panic-button pushers out there, relax and don't let the fun pass you by. Winning is not an easy thing to do and that is exactly what is happening right now at Lamar. So, enjoy this for everything that it is!
 
Point No. 5, we don't actually have a fifth point but in case our boss stops reading here we want to give the impression that we worked overtime to prepare this.
 
Now, back to the point of the story, the 2026 offensive line. We've mentioned Hester – and he will once again be a key figure on the front line and don't be surprised to see him in the starting role. In addition to Hester, the Cardinals return 11 linemen from last season (five letterwinners and six redshirts).
 
The letterwinners are Alex Haralson (6-5, 306, Jr.), Hester, Kade Verden (6-2, 296, Sr.), Endrei Sauls (6-0, 338, So.) and Zachary Curtis (6-4, 296, Jr.), while the redshirts are Nicolaus Chenevert (6-4, 307, Fr.), Denim Orebo (6-3, 344, Fr.), Reagan Langston (6-2, 290, Fr.), Zaylen Graham (6-2, 331, Fr.), Barrett Wallace (6-2, 315, Fr.) and Jayden Marrs (6-6, 308, Fr.). The returning letterwinners average 6-3, 309 pounds while the redshirts entered camp averaging 6-3, 316. Obviously, size isn't everything when it comes to offensive line talent – technique, quickness, footwork and smart reads also play a huge role – but the Cardinals have options to work with.
 
In addition to those options, Big Red added five linemen during the last recruiting cycle including three via the portal. The thought being, the transfers – who helped make up the nation's third-ranked portal class at the NCAA FCS level – have collegiate experience under their belt and they can provide some added leadership to Big Red's plethora of younger linemen while at the same time taking some of the pressure off.
 
The newcomers include Adedapo Adetosoye (6-4, 310, Fr.), Colton Cordova (6-7, 310, Fr.), Anfernee Crease (6-6, 328, Sr.), Treaden Henry (6-6, 305, So.) and Brandon Stuckey (6-3, 295, Jr.). This group comes in averaging 6-5, 310 pounds.
 
At the very end of the day, these individuals alone should help even the most "glass-is-half-empty" types to be excited. Another reason to be excited is you can now get your season tickets by calling the ticket off at (409) 880-1715 or by visiting lamarcardinals.com/buytickets.