2022 SLU Football Preseason Position Report: Offensive Line

HAMMOND, La. – The prolific offensive numbers the No. 16/17 Southeastern Louisiana University football team has produced over the past three seasons can be greatly attributed to the consistency on the offensive line.

All-Southland Conference performers Jalen Bell and John Allen return to comprise a formidable left side. Returners Dom Serapiglia III and Brennan Lanclos are expected to step in to elevated roles, while Logan Canerdy is one of the team’s top newcomers.

Though some of the faces up front are different, Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo expects his offensive line to set the tone for the offense.

“We feel really good about our talent level and maturity among our starting five,” Scelfo said. “We’ve really been focusing on creating depth during the offseason behind that first group. Our biggest battle in camp has been at right guard between Logan, Alex Harris and Javin Turner. Those guys have really been competing to see who is that next guard in our rotation.”

Bell has earned All-Southland Conference honors each of the past two seasons from his left tackle position. Scelfo believes the 2022 season has the potential to be the best of the Amory, Mississippi’s growth on and off the field.

“Jalen’s mindset has improved so much during the offseason,” Scelfo commented. “He’s doing a much better job taking what he’s learning in the meeting room to the field and playing with a higher energy level. Jalen’s talent level has never been in question, but now we’re seeing what he can do when he pushes himself. He had an outstanding summer dedicating himself in the weight room and to his conditioning, which we’ve seen translate to his play during fall camp. His change is mindset is going to allow him to take his play to the next level this season.”

Allen steadies the left side alongside Bell, as the Jackson, Mississippi native earned second team All-SLC accolades in his first season as a full-time starter last fall. Last November, SLU offensive line coach and run game coordinator AJ Hopp posted a video on Twitter that saw Allen hold his block for 40 yards downfield in last season’s home victory over Northwestern State. The video highlighting the bruising Allen’s talents went viral and currently has 1.5 million views.

Southeastern will welcome season ticket holders to the Season Ticket Pickup Party Saturday. The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. – noon in conjunction with the No. 16/17 Lions’ morning practice. SLU supporters the Dukes of Hammond will host a tailgate event in the grassy area adjacent to the Dugas Center for Southeastern Athletics.

The 2022 season of Inside Southeastern Football with Frank Scelfo debuts Sunday. The show will air weekly on the radio home of SLU Football – Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and The Boss 103.7 FM/1400 AM. Hosted by Scelfo and Allen Waddell, the hour-long show will feature the latest on all things Lion Football.

The debut episode is set for Sunday, Aug. 29 at 3 p.m. at Gnarly Barley Brewing (1709 Corbin Rd.) in Hammond. The welcome back event will also feature food provided by Pour House Pizza and Beer Garden.

Pour House (505 W. Thomas St.) will serve as the host for the remainder of the season. With the Monday after the season opener doubling as Labor Day, the first show at Pour House will be Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. Starting Sept. 12, the show will air from Pour House on Mondays at 7 p.m. through Nov. 21.

Southeastern opens the 2022 season Sept. 3 at UL Lafayette in a 6 p.m. contest. The home opener is set for Sept. 17 versus Central Connecticut State.

Southeastern Football Preseason Practice Schedule
Aug. 25 – 3:45 p.m.
Aug. 26 – 9 a.m.
Aug. 27 – 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 2022-23 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.