HAMMOND, La.  – Southeastern Louisiana second-year linebackers coach Chris Lachney does not have the wealth of experience in his meeting room that some other Lion football position groups feature.
 
The linebackers on the 2019 Southeastern Louisiana roster have played in a combined 43 games in a Southeastern uniform. 31 of those were played by Zeke Jenkins, who is in his first season as a linebacker after playing fullback for the first three campaigns of his time in Hammond.
 
Despite the lack of experience, Lachney has been encouraged with his linebackers' progress during fall camp.
 
"This has been a fun camp and we've got a great dynamic among the linebackers," Lachney said. "We have a pair of seniors and a couple of juniors, but the majority of our group were playing high school football this time last year. Our new guys have brought a youthful energy and it's so enjoyable to see how fast their improving each day."
 
The most experienced linebacker on the roster is Mike Mason, who saw action in nine games as a reserve in 2018, finishing the season with 26 tackles. Both defensive coordinator Lance Guidry and head coach Frank Scelfo have singled out Mason for praise throughout the fall. Lachney concurs, but not just for his play on the field.
 
"Mike came here as a dynamic playmaker and a good ball player," Lachney commented. "Mike's biggest growth has come mentally and emotionally. He's our leader, brings a sense of calmness out there and is the glue that holds our group together. Mike had made so much improvement on how he handles himself off the field and that's allowing him to produce on the field. It's a really cool story that I'll be telling for a long time."
 
While Mason is the leader and the starter at one linebacker spot, several Lions are competing to be Mason's running mate in Guidry's 4-2-5 scheme. Jenkins, newcomer Alexis Ramos and freshman Davion Nassri, among others are battling for playing time, as spring starter Arlen Williams battles through nagging injuries.
 
"We've really had good competition throughout camp," Lachney said. "With Arlen out, we've had guys step up and make the most of their opportunity. Our guys are working hard to beat other guys out, but ultimately we're all going to be winners. Whoever earns that spot, is going to be as good as he can be because we all made him that way."
 
With just under two weeks remaining until the Aug. 29 7 p.m. season opener versus No. 6 Jacksonville State in Strawberry Stadium, Lachney is happy with where the Lion linebackers are at as a group.
 
"There's always going to be a little bit of a learning curve when you have young guys, but we feel like we've worked past that," Lachney commented. "We've installed a new scheme with Coach Guidry taking over, so all of us – veterans and freshmen – were on the same page as far as learning a new system.
 
"It's a linebacker-friendly scheme that allows our guys to run and make plays," Lachney added. "Our best players are doing their best things right now in this system, which is a good thing."
 
Southeastern will take a day off on Sunday, before returning to the field on Monday for a 7:30 p.m. under the Strawberry Stadium lights.
 
2019 Fall Camp Schedule
Sunday, August 18 – Off
Monday, August 19 – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 20 – 9 a.m.
Saturday, August 24 – 1 p.m. – Media Day
 
SEASON TICKETS
For season ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. The Lions open their home schedule versus No. 6 Jacksonville State on Aug. 29, before welcoming Southland Conference foes Lamar (Sept. 21), UIW (Oct. 12), Stephen F. Austin (Nov. 2) and Nicholls (Nov. 21).
 
2019 PROMOTIONS
For full details on promotions surrounding the Southeastern Louisiana football team's 2019 home schedule visit www.LionSports.net/FootballPromos.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @SLUFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events, effective with the start of the 2018 football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.