HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team enters the 2025 season with a veteran offensive line group that has played a combined 127 games in the green and gold.
 
"I couldn't be more excited for a bunch of guys," SLU head coach Frank Scelfo said of the offensive line. "We have high expectations for that group due to their experience and they've met those expectations thus far in camp. With our experience and talent level, we expect that to continue into the season. (First-year offensive line) Coach (Sam) Gregg has done an excellent job with that group."
 
The Lions return three starters on the interior of the offensive line in center Holden Kareokowsky, as well as guards Javin Turner and Corin Boudreaux. Tackles Noah Devlin and Logan Potter enter their sixth and fourth seasons with the program, respectively.
 
Tackles Carson Dillashaw and Isaiah Hayes, guards Amiree Alexander and Riley Whitten and center Breland Curry provide quality depth, along with freshmen Deshawn Feazell and Damien Reed.
 
"All those veteran guys understand how we do things in our program," Scelfo said. "Those guys have played a lot of quality snaps for us. The offensive line group as a whole has been very consistent throughout camp. There's a great focus on the job at hand and when they get here, they come ready to work. With the depth we have, we're going to see the next five guys behind the starters see plenty of playing time, because we don't think there's a lot separating our ones and twos."
 
With such an experienced group, Kareokowsky says the leadership comes by committee within the position room.
 
"We're very close group off the field," Kareokowsky commented. "We don't have one leader within our room. Everyone has a voice and speaks their mind when it's needed. One thing that has allowed us to start to take the next step as a position group is everyone's willingness to hold each other accountable."
 
Kareokowsky also said beyond the focus and seriousness, the offensive line meeting room is also filled with laughter. Kareokowsky gives credit to Gregg, who joined the program in the spring, after a two-decade coaching career that includes stints at Southern Miss, Liberty, West Georgia, West Alabama, Arkansas-Monticello, Southwest Baptist and Memphis, for fostering the positive attitude.
 
"Coach Gregg has done a fantastic job and even though he's only been with us a few months, we've grown to love him," Kareokowsky said. "When things get serious and he's really getting on us, he'll crack a joke and lighten the mood. That's one of the most fun things about our meeting room is the way we're always making each other laugh."
 
Kareokowsky first arrived on campus prior to the 2021 season as a walk-on out of De La Salle High School, where he was teammates with Devlin. Scelfo has been impressed with Kareokowsky's development throughout his Lion tenure.
 
"Holden just wanted a chance and he's taken advantage of the opportunity we gave him," Scelfo commented. "Through his hard work and the coaching he's been provided, he's developed into someone we think can be one of the best offensive linemen in not only the Southland Conference, but possibly all of FCS this fall. He's got great athleticism and size, plus handles everything well from the center position. Holden epitomizes what you want from a teammate."
 
"I've loved every step of the process," Kareokowsky said of his collegiate journey. "Coming in as a walk-on, I always believed that Southeastern was the best place for me. Having to earn a scholarship and more playing time was what drove me. Even after earning it, I still have the mindset that I'm chasing something."
 
While Kareokowsky and the Lions' immediate focus is on the season opener, he admits that the team believes its lofty goals in 2025 are attainable.
 
"At the end of the day, we're taking it one game at a time," Kareokowsky stated. "But we can feel that there's something special going on in our locker room. We want to win the Southland Conference, make a deep run in the playoffs and establish ourselves as one of the best teams in school history."  
 
Southeastern concludes its third week of fall practice with a 9 a.m. practice Saturday in Strawberry Stadium. Saturday is also the Season Ticket Pickup Party, as Southeastern football season ticket holders will be able to pick up the season tickets for the upcoming 2025 football seasonn conjunction with the Lions' practice. Fans are asked to enter the main concourse through the inflatable tunnel at Gate 2. Snacks and refreshments will be available.
 
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.
 
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.