2021 SLU Football Preseason Position Report No. 8: Tight Ends

Position: Tight Ends
Position Coach: Anthony Scelfo (First season at SLU)
Returners: Connor Briggs (6-2, 245, Fr.), Damien Dawson (5-11, 235, Sr.)*, Jordan Loving (6-4, 240, So.), Tanner Olsen (6-4, 240, So.)
Newcomers: Ivan Drobocky (6-4, 230, Fr.)**, Nolan Givan (6-3, 260, Sr.), Spencer Owens (6-5, 250, Jr.)
* – All-Southland Conference
** – Did not see action in 2020 season

HAMMOND, La. – Tight end is an often forgotten position in today’s game, but not at Southeastern Louisiana University where the Lions have placed a tight end on the All-Southland Conference team in each year of head coach Frank Scelfo’s tenure.

The Lions enter the fall with two seniors ready to continue that all-conference trend. Damien Dawson returns for his final season after earning All-Southland honors for the first time in the spring. Newcomer Nolan Givan comes to Hammond for his final collegiate season armed with four years of FBS experience. Behind the veterans is plenty of young talent, giving SLU a bright present and future at the tight end position.

“We use the tight end more extensively than a lot of teams,” Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo said. “When you have players the caliber of Nolan and Damien, you want both of them to be a major part of our offense. We’ve been able to attract talented tight ends, because we provide an ideal place for a tight end who wants to make an impact due to the way we utilize the position in our scheme.”

First-year tight ends coach, recruiting coordinator and pass game coordinator Anthony Scelfo has been impressed with his charges during his first preseason with the program.

“We have a close-knit group and every one of them brings something a little different to the table,” Anthony Scelfo commented. “Those varied skill sets complement each other well and our tight ends give Coach (offensive coordinator Greg) Stevens a lot of options on how they can be used in our offense. This group comes to work every day and I’m excited to see what they can do this fall.”

Dawson is by far the most experience Lion tight end, as the Franklinton, Louisiana native has played in 39 games in the green and gold heading into his fifth season in Hammond. Primarily used as a blocker in previous years, Dawson became a bigger part of the passing game in the spring, setting up touchdowns with long receptions at Sam Houston, UIW and Nicholls.

“Damien is the leader of the group,” Anthony Scelfo said. “He understands our offense and how we want to attack the defense. Damien’s a hard worker who is exciting to be around because he’s going to have a positive impact on everyone in our room. He’s a staple in our offense and I’m excited to see what he can do in his senior year.”

Givan has shined in his preseason with the Lions. The Beverly, Michigan native comes to Hammond with 44 games of FBS experience under his belt, having played eight games at San Diego State in 2020 after a three-year stint at Ball State.

“Nolan has worked hard to pick up our scheme and become a big part of our offense,” Anthony Scelfo said. “He’s had a great camp and he’s put in the time and work necessary for us to be able to utilize all his skills. We’re excited to have him as part of our program.”

Southeastern will return to the practice field on Friday at 9 a.m. The No. 15/17 Lions open the 2021 season at home, hosting North Alabama at 6 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium on Sept. 4.

2021 Southeastern Football Preseason Practice Schedule
Aug. 27 – 9 a.m.
Aug. 28 – 9 a.m.

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 for the 2021-22 season. 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 Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.