BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University will be wrapping up the 2025 spring schedule with the annual Coach Payton Spring Game (Thursday, April 24^th at 6:30 p.m.). The spring game will serve as the 15^th and final practice date of camp which started last month. One of the exciting things about spring camp is getting a sneak peek at the new talent arriving on campus.
 
The newest additions to the Cardinals' roster comprise coach Pete Rossomando's third recruiting class in Beaumont. That class which was signed between Early Signing Day (Dec. 4, 2024) and National Signing Day (Feb. 5, 2024) consisted of 25 players (seven transfers and 18 signees). The overall signing class consisted of 13 offensive players and 12 defensive. It included six defensive backs, five offensive linemen, three quarterbacks, three linebackers, three defensive linemen, three receivers, a tight end and a running back.
 
Of those 25 new additions, nine (36 percent) are already on campus going through spring workouts. They will have a head start on the playbook, schemes and coaches' expectations when August rolls around.
 
Those nine players – the first wave – come from six different position groups and include Paul Omodia (defensive back), Sean Connor (defensive back), Mekhi Hagens (quarterback), Jamahdia Whitby (receiver), Demarcus Rankin (defensive back), Andrew Huff (defensive end), Nehemiah Borner (linebacker), Aidan White (defensive back) and Reagan Langston (offensive line).
 
"The new guys that arrived for spring have come in here and assimilated well with their teammates," said Rossomando. "These are good kids and we're pleased with how they have done so far.
 
"When you look at Jamahdia Whitby, he's just really started to feel comfortable with the offense in the last four or five days – there is a lot of stuff to learn in one semester – but he's done a great job. He's just a tireless worker. Paul Omodia has done a great job and we feel really good about him playing corner for us. Sean Connor at safety for us, is a lot like offensive line, there is a lot to learn. Over the course of the last four or five practices you see everything starting to click. He is doing a great job. Andrew Huff (from Houston Christian) has blown up this spring playing really well. Joshua Robinson, from Illinois State, has been great for us and I think can replace Khalan Griffin's power in the backfield," said Rossomando.
 
The "first wave" is compiled of six transfers including five four-year transfers – Omodio (Illinois State), Hagens (Arkansas-Pine Bluff), Whitby (Coastal Carolina), Rankin (Wake Forrest) and Huff (Houston Christian).
 
Even more exciting than the new talent already on campus is the fact that the "second wave" is even bigger consisting of 17 players. That wave, which will officially begin workouts when the team opens preseason camp in early August will include eight position groups. The position breakdown will consist of four offensive linemen, two quarterbacks, two receivers, two defensive backs, two linebackers, two defensive linemen, a running back and tight end.
 
We can't predict how many of these players will go on to be All-America, all-conference or event starters, and that was never the point of this brief article. The hope is to get all fans excited for the upcoming Coach Payton Spring Game and in turn the 2025 season. It's never too late to purchase your tickets for 2025 and fans can do so now by clicking HERE.