SAN ANTONIO – The Southeastern Louisiana University football was picked to finish third in the Southland Conference preseason poll, which was released Monday in conjunction with the 2025 SLC Football Opening Drive at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
 
SLU returns 49 letterwinners and 16 starters from last season's squad, which finished 7-5 overall and 6-1 in league play- good for second place in the SLC standings. The Lions boast a 34-18 record versus league opponents under two-time Southland Coach of the Year Frank Scelfo, who enters his eighth season at the helm of the Southeastern program.
 
The Southeastern defense is led by returning All-Southland pick and Buck Buchanan Award candidate Kaleb Proctor, who anchors a stalwart defensive line that also returns veterans Peyton Anderson and Ahmad Bradley. All-SLC linebacker KK Reno returns after pacing SLU with 94 tackles last fall.
 
Defensive back Khamron Ford is back for his final season in Hammond after earning all-conference accolades in 2024. The SLU secondary also returns 2023 first team All-SLC selection Ian Conerly-Goodly, who is back in Hammond after spending the 2024 campaign at Troy.
 
The SLU offensive line features three returning starters in center Holden Kareokowsky, as well as guards Javin Turner and Corin Bourdeaux. Wide receiver Jaylon Domingeaux, tight end Cade Collier and running back Rodeo Graham Jr. are among the top returning playmakers on offense for the Lions.
 
Southeastern will feature a new quarterback, as 2024 starter Eli Sawyer closed out his collegiate career last fall. Newcomers Carson Camp and Kyle Lowe, as well as returner Tanner Murray are among those competing for time under center for SLU.
 
After featuring one of the nation's top special team units last fall, the Lions return All-Southland Conference punter Alec Mahler and kick returner Brandon Hayes. Kicker Guillermo Garcia joins Southeastern after earning FCS All-America honors at Prairie View in 2024.
 
Defending Southland champion UIW received 15 of 20 first-place votes from the league's head coaches and media relation contacts to sit atop the preseason poll. SFA edged Southeastern by one point for second place.
 
Behind the Lions came Lamar, followed by Nicholls and McNeese. East Texas A&M and HCU were tied for seventh with Northwestern State and UTRGV rounding out the predicted order of finish.
 
Southeastern reports to campus July 28 and will open fall practice July 29. SLU opens the 2025 campaign Aug. 30 with a 6:30 p.m. contest at Louisiana Tech. The Lions open their five-game home schedule Sept. 13, hosting Mississippi Valley State at 6 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium. Southeastern welcomes league newcomer UTRGV to open SLC play Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. in Hammond.
 
2025 Southland Conference Preseason Poll
Team (First-place votes) | Points
1. UIW (15) | 158
2. SFA (3) | 137
3. Southeastern (1) | 136
4. Lamar (1) | 112
5. Nicholls | 91
6. McNeese | 85
T7. East Texas A&M | 59
T7. HCU | 59
9. Northwestern State | 39
10. UTRGV | 24
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on X, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and follow lionupfootball on Instagram.
 
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 observes a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.