HAMMOND, La. – A featured staple of the Southeastern Louisiana University offense under eight-year head coach Frank Scelfo has been the utilization of the tight end, as four different players have earned All-Southland Conference honors at that position during his tenure.
 
Southeastern enters the 2025 season with four talented tight ends looking to add their names to the list of standouts at that position.
 
The veteran is Cade Collier. The Mobile, Alabama native enters his sixth year in the program and caught a pair of touchdowns last fall in an expanded role within the Southeastern offense.
 
Sophomore Adyn Wilkinson is also back for the Lions. The Central High School project played in all 12 games as a true freshman, primarily seeing action on special teams. Wilkinson, along with freshmen Beau Perez and Lonnie Shinn Jr. are poised for bigger roles this fall.
 
"We've had good tight ends since I've been here, dating back to (two-time All-SLC selection) Bransen Schwebel," Scelfo commented. "But I think where we've upgraded is from a depth standpoint. We have four guys who are long and athletic that we feel can help us in the running game and the passing game."
 
Southeastern also features several options at the fullback position. Local products Brant Monistere (Ponchatoula) and Devaki Williams (Hammond) return for SLU, while Zane Hooper bolsters the group after making the switch from offensive line.
 
While Collier is the most experienced Lion in the group, he hasn't needed to be seen as the veteran leader.
 
"Everyone in our room knows what to do," Collier commented. "We want to be the best tight end room in the Southland Conference and believe we have the players to achieve that goal. We have tight ends who can be explosive in the passing game and our fullbacks do a great job of putting their heads down and making holes in the running game."
 
Southeastern closes out fall camp Tuesday with a 9 a.m. practice in Strawberry Stadium. 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.