SLU adds Lonardo, Dillashaw to bring 2023 signing class to 22

HAMMOND, La. – The Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana University football team announced Wednesday the addition of two student-athletes who will continue their academic and athletic endeavors with the Lions beginning with the 2023 season.

The newest members of the Southeastern family are wide receiver Clayton Lonardo (Slidell, Louisiana | Brother Martin HS) and defensive lineman Carson Dillashaw (Moody, Alabama | Moody HS). The duo joins the 20 signees SLU announced at the beginning of the early signing period.

Of the 22 signees, 17 come from the state of Louisiana. Two-time Southland Conference of the Year Frank Scelfo and his staff are pleased with the newest members of a Southeastern program that is one of three schools nationally to be ranked in the final FCS top 25 in each of the past four seasons.

“We identified the needs of our team,” Scelfo said of the recruiting process. “We were able to bring in a large group of high school players that we can grow for the future and supplemented with just a few transfers that can provide a positive impact immediately. We’re bringing in not only quality players, but quality people who are strong performers in the classroom.”

Southeastern will hold spring practice Feb. 28 – April 1. The Lions are scheduled to open the 2023 regular season Sept. 2 at Mississippi State.

2023 Southeastern Football Additions
Peyton Anderson | DL | 6-3 | 240 | St. Amant, La. | St. Amant HS
Colin Boldt | LB | 6-2 | 190 | Baton Rouge, La. | Dunham HS
Rodney Brown Jr. | DB | 6-1 | 185 | Kentwood, La. | Jewel Sumner HS
Donovan Bynum | DB | 6-0 | 180 | Houston, Texas | Langham Creek HS
Tylon Cooper | DB | 6-0 | 160 | Eunice, La. | Eunice HS
Dorian Davis | DL | 6-5 | 250 | White Castle, La. | White Castle HS
Carson Dillashaw | DL | 6-6 | 245 | Moody, Ala. | Moody HS
Jaylon Domingeaux | WR | 6-2 | 175 | Lafayette, La. | Comeaux HS
Khamron Ford | LB | 5-11 | 200 | Olive Branch, Miss. | Northwest Mississippi CC | Olive Branch HS*
Tristan Goodly | WR | 6-0 | 170 | Westlake, La. | Westlake HS
Lemar Harris | ATH | 6-3 | 205 | Amite, La. | Amite HS
Deantre Jackson | RB | 5-8 | 180 | New Orleans, La. | Edna Karr HS
Jirrea Johnson | LB | 5-11 | 220 | New Orleans, La. | Warren Easton HS
Clayton Lonardo | WR | 6-3 | 210 | Slidell, La. | Brother Martin HS
Wayne McKinney III | OL | 6-3 | 290 | Geismar, La. | Dutchtown HS
Mike Mitchell | DB | 5-11 | 180 | Plaquemine, La. | Plaquemine HS
Jordan Okoye | LB | 6-1 | 225 | Baton Rouge, La. | Liberty Magnet HS
Ilias Rida | OL | 6-7 | 270 | Hamburg, Germany | St. Stanislaus HS
Javen Sanchez | DL | 6-1 | 280 | Houston, Texas | Tyler JC | Dobie HS*
Brandon Spincer Jr. | OL | 6-2 | 275 | New Orleans, La. | Edna Karr HS*
Riley Whitten | OL | 6-2 | 275 | Belle Chasse, La. | Belle Chasse HS
Mike Williams | WR | 5-11 | 170 | Marrero, La. | Archbishop Shaw HS

February signees in bold | * – Currently enrolled at Southeastern and will participate in spring practice

2023 Southeastern Football Addition Capsules
Peyton Anderson | DL | 6-3 | 240 | St. Amant, La. | St. Amant HS
Second team All-District 5-5A choice at St. Amant High School … Also represented the Gators on the Class 5A Academic All-State team.
Head Coach Frank Scelfo on Anderson: “Peyton is a guy that has just continued to improve throughout his high school career. We saw huge growth in his development from his junior to his senior season and we look for that to continue over the next four years.”

Colin Boldt | LB | 6-2 | 190 | Baton Rouge, La. | Dunham HS
All-District 8-2A selection at Dunham High School … Played both free safety and wide receiver at DHS … Has the ability to play multiple positions for the Lions.
Scelfo on Boldt: “We’re very excited about the addition of Colin. He’s very athletic and can play multiple positions for us.”

Rodney Brown Jr. | DB | 6-1 | 185 | Kentwood, La. | Jewel Sumner HS
All-district performer at both defensive back and wide receiver at Jewel Sumner High School … Expected to play in the secondary for Southeastern.
Scelfo on Brown: “Rodney will fit in well in our secondary. He has the size, length and frame that we look for and has the ability to develop into a special player for us.”

Donovan Bynum | DB | 6-0 | 180 | Houston, Texas | Langham Creek HS
First team All-District 16-6A defensive back at Langham Creek High School.
Scelfo on Bynum: “Donovan can help us in a variety of ways. He’s explosive and has the ability to play safety or at the star position for us.”

Tylon Cooper | DB | 6-0 | 160 | Eunice, La. | Eunice HS
All-District 3-4A selection at both wide receiver and defensive back at Eunice High School … Projects as a cornerback for the Lions.
Scelfo on Cooper: “Tylon is going to be a great addition to our cornerback group. He’s athletic, explosive and changes directions very well.”

Dorian Davis | DL | 6-5 | 250 | White Castle, La. | White Castle HS
All-District 8-1A performer at White Castle High School … Also was a thrower on the WCHS track and field team.
Scelfo on Davis: “Dorian is guy we’re excited to see continue to grow. His strength and physical presence will be a great addition inside for us up front.”

Carson Dillashaw | DL | 6-6 | 245 | Moody, Ala. | Moody HS
All-St. Clair County performer as a senior at Moody High School … Versatile athlete played tight end and defensive end … Projects as a defensive lineman for SLU … Also plays basketball at MHS.
Scelfo on Dillashaw: “Carson is a long, rangy and physical athlete that has the opportunity to help us in a variety of ways. We’re signing him as a defensive lineman, but he’s athletic enough to contribute on either side of the ball.”

Jaylon Domingeaux | WR | 6-2 | 175 | Lafayette, La. | Comeaux HS
First team All-District 3-5A wide receiver as a senior at Comeaux High School … Amassed 1,379 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior.
Scelfo on Domingeaux: “Jaylon is going to be a presence for us from the receiver position. He brings length and has a huge catch radius.”

Khamron Ford | LB | 5-11 | 200 | Olive Branch, Miss. | Northwest Mississippi CC | Olive Branch HS
Spent two seasons at Northwest Mississippi Community College … Recorded 50 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks and two fumble recoveries for the Rangers … Prepped at Olive Branch High School as a two-way player … Led region in rushing as a senior … Totaled 88 tackles and nine tackles for loss at OBHS … Currently enrolled at Southeastern and will participate in spring practice.
Scelfo on Ford: “Khamron is very athletic and can play a variety of positions for us. We can see him fitting in at linebacker, safety or the star position.”

Tristan Goodly | WR | 6-0 | 170 | Westlake, La. | Westlake HS
First team all-district selection at wide receiver and kick returner at Westlake High School … Finished senior season with 15 touchdowns and 1,328 all-purpose yards … Cousin, Ian, is a defensive back for the Lions … Standout triple and long jumper for WHS is expected to participate in both football and track and field at SLU.
Scelfo on Goodly: “Tristan is an exceptional athlete who will think will excel in both football and track in Hammond.”

Lemar Harris | ATH | 6-3 | 205 | Amite, La. | Amite HS
All-state performer at Amite High School … Played both wide receiver and in the secondar for the Warriors.
Scelfo on Harris: “Lemar is an excellent product from right up the road and has good length. He’s another guy who can help us at numerous positions depending on where he’s needed.”

Deantre Jackson | RB | 5-8 | 180 | New Orleans, La. | Edna Karr HS
Standout running back at Edna Karr High School … Nickname is “The Jet” … Three-time all-state selection for the EKHS track and field team.
Scelfo on Jackson: “Deantre is a home run threat and reminds me a lot of (2019 All-SLC running back) Devonte Williams. He’s explosive, has great hands and has great speed coming out of the backfield.”

Jirrea Johnson | LB | 5-11 | 220 | New Orleans, La. | Warren Easton HS
All-state and all-district performer at Warren Easton High School … Rated No. 30 on Dandy Don’s top 100 Class of 2023 Louisiana high school products.
Scelfo on Johnson: “Jirrea comes out of a great high school program and plays physical. He’s a mike linebacker that packs a punch.”

Clayton Lonardo | WR | 6-3 | 210 | Slidell, La. | Brother Martin HS
All-state, all-district and Clarion Herald All-Elite selection at Brother Martin … Helped Crusaders to a spot in the Division I state championship game … Played quarterback, wide receiver and in the secondary at BMHS.
Scelfo on Lonardo: “Clayton is a versatile player that was a team leader in high school. He’ll bring value whenever he’s on the field and we’re fortunate to have him as part of our program.”

Wayne McKinney III | OL | 6-3 | 290 | Geismar, La. | Dutchtown HS
Multi-time All-District 5-5A selection at Dutchtown High School.
Scelfo on McKinney: “Wayne has a huge upside due to his athleticism. He’s someone that we’re excited to develop and we expect him to be an impact player for us as he continues to grow over the next few years.”

Mike Mitchell | DB | 5-11 | 180 | Plaquemine, La. | Plaquemine HS
All-District 7-4A performer at Plaquemine High School … Was one of state’s most productive dual-threat quarterbacks as a senior … Projects as a defensive back for SLU … Younger cousin of Southeastern career receiving yardage leader Austin Mitchell.
Scelfo on Mitchell: “We’ve had a pipeline of good players come out of the Plaquemine High program and we think Mike will continue that tradition. He’s athletic, versatile and plays the game passionately.”

Jordan Okoye | LB | 6-1 | 225 | Baton Rouge, La. | Liberty Magnet HS
All-district and all-state performer at Liberty Magnet High School … Also a member of the LMHS track and field team.
Scelfo on Okoye: “Jordan plays with the physicality wer’re looking for at the linebacker position. He committed to us early and really wanted to be here at Southeastern.”

Ilias Rida | OL | 6-7 | 270 | Hamburg, Germany | St. Stanislaus HS
All-state offensive lineman as a senior at St. Stanislaus High School … German native started high school career as a member of the Hamburg Huskies.
Scelfo on Rida: “Ilias has tremendous upside due to his size and ability. He’s still learning the game, but we’re excited to have the opportunity to develop him.”

Javen Sanchez | DL | 6-1 | 280 | Houston, Texas | Tyler JC | Dobie HS
Posted 23 tackles, five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks as a sophomore at Tyler Junior College … All-District 22-6A selection at Dobie High School … Currently enrolled at Southeastern and will participate in spring practice.
Scelfo on Sanchez: “Javen is a powerful, interior addition to our defensive line. He’s a good student and we believe he can be an anchor for us up front.”

Brandon Spincer Jr. | OL | 6-2 | 275 | New Orleans, La. | Edna Karr HS
Standout offensive lineman at Edna Karr High School … Father played linebacker at Tulane under Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo and defensive coordinator Bill D’Ottavio … Currently enrolled at Southeastern and will participate in spring practice.
Scelfo on Spincer: “Brandon epitomizes what we’re looking for in a student-athlete. He’s an excellent leader and checks every box in terms of the attributes he brings as a player, a person and a student.”

Riley Whitten | OL | 6-2 | 275 | Belle Chasse, La. | Belle Chasse HS
Three-time first team all-district selection at Belle Chasse High School … Participated in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl … Played both sides for BCHS … Slated to play offensive line for the Lions … Nickname is “Cornbread”.
Scelfo on Whitten: “Riley’s size and strength has him more college-ready than most high school offensive linemen. He’s another guy that has so much room to grow and build on a solid foundation.”

Mike Williams | WR | 5-11 | 170 | Marrero, La. | Archbishop Shaw HS
First-team all-district performer at Archbishop Shaw High School … Nickname is “Speedy” … Also excels on the Shaw basketball team.
Scelfo on Williams: “Mike can really take the top off the defense with his speed. He’s got great hands and has great athleticism.”

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
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