BEAUMONT, Texas – An entire offseason has come and gone since Lamar made its run to the NCAA FCS Playoffs, and with preseason camp having come to a close the Cardinals now turn their attention to the start of official game week preparation, meaning we only have a couple more position previews remaining before the 2026 regular-season opener against No. 15 Abilene Christian Saturday, Aug. 29th.
Today LamarCardinals.com will break down the LU defensive backs.
LB Quick Facts:
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7/9
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
Newcomers: 12
Stats: Lamar's defense held teams to 23.0 points per game (a number that dropped to fewer than 20 in Southland only games) and ranked third in the league in total defense. In conference only games, Lamar surrendered fewer than 295.6 yards of offense per game. The Cardinals also ranked third in the league in sacks (30 for 175 yards in losses and ranked among the league leaders with 88 tackles for losses). Lamar also picked off 10 passes last season which ranked sixth in the league. Most importantly, when Lamar's defense wanted to it tightened the screws on opponents. Big Red held five opponents to 17 or fewer points last season including 13 against No. 4 South Dakota and 12 to No. 19 Southeastern Louisiana.
Key Player: Mar Mar Evans (5-11, 186, Jr.) – of all the position breakdowns we've done this was the hardest to choose from because there were arguments to be made for several different players. At the end of the day, Evans is the top returning tackler from the Cardinals secondary after a sophomore season that saw him record 42 overall tackles (20 unassisted) and finish second on the team in interceptions. Evans did all this despite being behind an eventual All-American on the depth chart.
The Storyline
Big Red returns two of five starters from a season ago but one of the departures was 2025 All-American – and Beaumont native Kristian Pugh. A 2025 All-American, Pugh falls into that "you can't replace him" category but even with his departure the Cardinal corners and safeties will be strong again this year.
We've already mentioned Evans' stats so we will not rehash that here but by midyear he would have been starting for most every other Southland team – the same could be said for Lamar had not been for the aforementioned Pugh. Evans has played in 19 games making a start during his first two years on campus.
The two returning starters Kevin Thomas Jr. (6-1, 199, Sr.), who along with Evans is expected lock down the starting safety positions, and Zaylon Stoker (6-1, 161, So.) who is a returning starter at corner. Thomas returns from a junior campaign where he started all 13 games making 38 tackles and picked off a pass, while Stoker took over the starting role late in the season recording 30 stops, three pass breakups and a blocked kick. Both Thomas and Stoker (corner) took over starting roles in their first years with the team and will be looking to carry more of the load in their second go around.
Another sophomore who will be counted on at corner in 2026 is Caleb Holmes. A 5-7, 159 speedster from DeSoto, Holmes is another second-year player with starting experience. He played in seven games making three starts and recorded 14 stops last season.
This group will be joined by returnees De'Kelvion Beamon (6-2, 217, 5th Yr.), Jarrett Mitchel (6-2, 197, So.), Jordan James (6-0, 194, So.), Mar'Shawn Richardson-Giddings (5-11, 201, So.) and Ean Carr (5-11, 192, Redshirt).
The LU coaching staff strengthened this group with 12 newcomers – six transfers and six from the high school level. The six transfers include three portal additions and three junior college players. The transfers are Lanar Kelley (5-10, 186, New Mexico State), Brennen Bailey (6-1, 171, Massachusetts), Bryce McDonald (6-0, 176, Cisco College), Joshua Baskerville (6-0, 185, Lackawanna College), Ephraim Dotson (5-11, 189, Rice) and Jordan Dowdy (5-10, 170, Lackawanna College). The prep additions include Lovie Berry (6-0, 175, Lancaster HS), Brenden Logan (6-1, 197, Killeen Shoemaker HS), John Abrama (6-1, 175, Royse City HS), Taveian Landry (6-0, 175, Acadiana HS), Griffin Tillis (5-11, 185, Grand Oaks HS) and Trandin Benjamin (5-9, 180, Westgate HS).
This is a large incoming class and from it unknown players will rise and become key players and fan favorites. The transfers bring a wealth of experience to the Golden Triangle. Kelley is a former JUCO All-American before transferring to New Mexico State while Bailey played in 18 games at UMass after transferring from West Liberty. Dotson registered 13 games played in two seasons at Rice including a redshirt year while McDonald signed with Prairie View A&M out of high school before going the junior college route.
While there are questions to be answered in the secondary the situation is not as concerning as most might think. There is more than ample talent among the returning veterans and that group will be bolstered by the influx of young talent from the most recent recruiting class.
If there are those that are still concerned about the secondary, take a look at head coach Pete Rossomando's track record of portal successes – Joshua Ofili, Ronnie Hamrick, DeJuan Lewis, Paul Omodia, etc. These are all guys who transferred in and claimed starting roles and made huge impacts on the defense. Fans have every reason to believe this season will produce similar talents.
#PeckEmCards
