Southeastern Lions Football Position Report: Wide Receivers

HAMMOND, La. – The reigning Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana University football team will have a wide receiver group featuring veterans in expanded roles and newcomers expected to contribute immediately.

What the receiving corps lacks in game experience, it makes up for in talent and athleticism.

“We have an untested group as far as game experience,” Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo said. “But we definitely have some talent in the room. We have some guys who have shown they’re capable of making some big plays during camp and we’re excited to see them in game action.”

Wide receivers coach Anthony Scelfo, who also serves as the pass game coordinator and recruiting coordinator, is excited about the prospects for his charges.

“We have a lot of new faces, which is exciting,” Anthony Scelfo said. “We get more comfortable every day, so we’re trending up and are only going to get better with more experience.”

Veteran Darius Lewis has been a standout among the returners this fall. A preseason All-Southland Conference selection at punt returner, Lewis is expected to be a bigger part of the offense in his second season in Hammond.

“Darius is so dynamic and he’s put in so much work this offseason,” Anthony Scelfo commented. “His physical skill set has always been there, but he’s put in the effort to raise his knowledge of the offense and understanding of coverages. He’s a guy who can make things happen with the ball in his hands.”

Several newcomers have flashed the abilities to have an immediate impact in the passing game.

“We signed a really good freshmen wide receiver class,” Anthony Scelfo stated. “Mike Williams can really run and is always working to get better, so we’ve been impressed with his mentality. Everything Jaylon Domingeaux does, he does full speed. He plays violently and fast. Those two guys have already started to catch their footing in our system and we’re excited where they can take their games as the season unfolds.

“Tristan Goodly and Clayton Lonardo are two other freshmen who continue to get better,” Anthony Scelfo continued. “From a transfer standpoint, Xavier Hill is a big, physical guy that we think can be a big-time playmaker for us.”

Anthony Scelfo also touted his group’s versatility.

“We have a little bit of everything in our room, so our guys compliment each other very well,” Scelfo said. “Darius, Mike and Corey Lorio are savvy guys, while Xavier, Jaylon and Marcellus Johnson give us a big physical presence. We’re only going to get better as we continue to play together and gel with our quarterbacks. I’m pleased with where we are now and excited to see where we can go.”

The Lions will return to the practice field Friday at 9 a.m. The week’s practice schedule culminates Saturday with the Season Ticket Pickup Party, set for 10 a.m. in conjunction with SLU’s final practice before entering game week.

Southeastern opens the 2023 season with three straight nonconference road contests, beginning with a Sept. 2 trip to Mississippi State. The game versus the Bulldogs kicks off at 3 p.m. in Starkville, Mississippi and will be televised on SEC Network and can be heard on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM, The Boss 103.7 FM/WFPR 1400 AM).

Season and single-game tickets for the 2023 home football season, which includes visits from HCU (Sept. 23), Tarleton State (Sept. 30), Lamar (Oct. 14), McNeese (Nov. 4) and Nicholls (Nov. 18) are available online at https://vivenu.com/event/2023-football-2klkar.

Southeastern Football Preseason Practice Schedule

Aug. 25 – 9 a.m.

Aug. 26 – 9 a.m. (Season Ticket Pickup Party – 10 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 2023-24 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 X, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and follow lionupfootball on Instagram.

TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB

Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.

All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.

INSIDE SOUTHEASTERN FOOTBALL WITH FRANK SCELFO

The 2023 season of Inside Southeastern Football with Frank Scelfo will debut Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. at its new home – Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux (305 CM Fagan Dr) in Hammond. Hosted by Scelfo and Allen Waddell, the hour-long radio show will air Mondays throughout the football season on Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and The Boss 103.7 FM/WFPR 1400 AM.