Note: This story is featured in the 2026 edition of Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Summer Magazine, which you can order here.

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The trajectory of the Lamar football team continues to trend upwards after reaching the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2018 and finishing the season ranked for the first time in the NCAA I-AA/FCS era during an 8-5 season that included wins over South Dakota and Southeastern Louisiana, which some considered the most talented team in the Southland Conference last year.  

It was the culmination of a three-year build for head coach Pete Rossomando, who inherited a Cardinals program that only managed nine combined wins from 2019-2022. Lamar won six games in 2023, his first season in charge, and seven in 2024 before breaking through with eight wins last year.  

But don’t expect the Cardinals to be satisfied with simply making the playoffs and finishing a season ranked. Lamar lost four of the last five and Rossomando identified inconsistent quarterback and running back rooms as the culprit, especially as injuries took their toll down the stretch. Lamar had five different players lost to ACL tears.  

“We didn’t hold up the end of our bargain at those positions towards the end of the season. If we can improve in those two spots, we’re going have a chance to be a better team,” Rossomando said in the spring. “Our offensive line was good last year, but I think it’ll be better this year. Same thing with the defense. We were good last year, but this group has a chance to be a little better on that side of the ball from an athletic standpoint.”  

The Cardinals are more talented than they’ve ever been under Rossomando heading into 2026, his fourth year in charge. Success breeds success and the more the Cardinals win, the more quality players flock to Beaumont.  

“The hardest part when I first got here was that we couldn’t get any transfers,” Rossomando admitted. “No one wanted to take a chance on a team that hadn’t won any games in five years. Now, we can get them. Show some progress and they’ll come, and that’s what we’ve done. We’ve been able to add some transfers who’ve made a real impact on our team.” 

The quarterback competition was a three-horse race during the spring and a starter won’t be announced until a few weeks into fall camp, per Rossomando. Aiden McCown, who started a handful of games last season, is the leader in the clubhouse because of his experience and leadership. Evan Bullock and Julian Salazar are both pushing to take over the reins.  

Houston transfer Devan Williams, former Wake Forest transfer Jaydn Girard, and Blake Thomas are the top three receivers heading into the summer. Tight ends Morgan Sampson and Davin Driskell are the primary tight ends tasked with replacing the production lost from Devyn Gibbs and JaCorey Hyder.  

The surprise of the spring was the emergence of true freshman running back Andikan Asuquo, a North Forney product who Rossomando called, “lightning in a bottle.” East Carolina transfer Parker Jenkins also impressed in his first spring at Lamar. He’s 215 pounds and runs 23 miles per hour.  

A talented and experienced offensive line led by John Hester at right guard and Endre Sauls, the strongest player on the team, at left guard will open holes. Texas State transfer A.J. Crease is the expected starter at left tackle and might be the most talented of the bunch. All five projected offensive line starters are at least 310 pounds.  

Defensive end Andrew Huff returns to lead the Lamar defense after posting 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last year. C.J. Miller and redshirt freshman Mason Wuenschel, a Port Neches-Groves export, will lead the linebacker room. Expect numerous transfers to help fill voids along the defensive line.  

Replacing safety Kristian Pugh, one of the best players in Lamar history, is the goal for a secondary. Kevin Thomas Jr. and Mar Mar Evans should start at safety. New Mexico State transfer L.J. Kelley and DeSoto grad Caleb Holmes are two names to know in a deep cornerback room.  

DCTF Take  

The Cardinals start Year 4 under Pete Rossomando with momentum and Southland Conference championship aspirations after winning eight games and finishing the season ranked for the first time at the FCS level last season. Ironically, the journey back to the playoffs in 2026 starts right where last year’s squad finished – playing Abilene Christian. This time it is at home in Beaumont, however.  

Lamar will play nine straight Southland Conference games after an early-season open date after Week 3. That will test the depth of a team that faded down the stretch last season, losing four of the last five, including the playoff game. This is the most talented roster for Rossomando at Lamar, however, and they’ll return to the playoffs if they improve at quarterback and running back.