SLU bolsters offensive line with addition of former LSU starter Teuhema

HAMMOND, La. – Offensive lineman Maea Teuhema will continue his academic and athletic endeavors as a member of the Southeastern Louisiana University football program, SLU head coach Ron Roberts announced following Tuesday’s practice.

Teuhema is enrolled at Southeastern and will be a member of the active roster when the Lions open the 2017 season at UL Lafayette on Sept. 2. The Keller, Texas native spent his first two collegiate seasons at LSU, where he started 21 games, splitting time between both guard positions and right tackle.

Teuhema will join a veteran offensive line corps and enhance an area that was already a strength for the Lions. Roberts expects Teuhema to see playing time at tackle for SLU.

“We’re excited to have a player of Maea’s caliber join our program,” Roberts said. “He brings a lot of experience and it will be good to add another talented veteran to what is already a group we have a lot of confidence in.”

Roberts expects Teuhema to fit right in with his offense’s philosophy of being physical at the point of attack.

“Maea plays with the physicality we’re looking for up front,” Roberts said. “He’s joining a great group of offensive lineman and now that he’s one of us, his teammates will welcome him with open arms.”

Teuhema was named a 2015 True Freshman All-America at LSU by ESPN.com after starting 11 games at left guard for the Tigers. He split time between both guard spots early in his sophomore campaign before settling in as the starting right tackle for the final six games of the season.

Coming out of Keller High School, Teuhema was ranked a five-star prospect by Rivals.com, while earning four-star accolades from 247Sports, Scout and ESPN. He was ranked the No. 1 offensive guard nationally and the No. 29 overall recruit by Rivals. A member of the USA Today’s All-USA team, Teuhema participated in the Under Armour All-American game following his senior season.

Teuhema will be reunited with his older brother, Sione, who is in his second year with the Lions. In his first season in Hammond, Sione earned second team All-Southland Conference linebacker honors after leading the team with 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks.

“To have a family member in place who understands our expectations will help Maea’s acclimation to our program,” Roberts said. “Sione’s been not only a great player for us, but has done everything we’ve asked of him in all areas. We’re excited to have Maea become part of our program and help us be a better football team.”

Southeastern is just under two weeks away from the opener at the Ragin’ Cajuns. The 6 p.m. contest will be broadcast on ESPN3.

The Southeastern Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office has a block of tickets available for the opener. Tickets, located in section O of Cajun Field, are $35 and are available for purchase to all fans.

Fans looking to purchase tickets can contact the SLU Athletics ticket office at (985) 549-5466 or visit the office currently located in the Dugas Center for Southeastern Athletics. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. All tickets for the SLU-UL Lafayette contest purchased from the ticket office must be picked up by the close of business on Thursday, Aug. 31.

Fans attending the contest with the Ragin’ Cajuns should be aware that UL Lafayette has instituted a clear bag policy for all athletic events. The policy is detailed at www.ragincajuns.com, where a seating chart of Cajun Field is also available.