Deep Offensive Line Corps Enters 2016 With High Expectations

HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana football team wrapped up its first week of fall camp Saturday evening and with a mix of veterans ready to step up in bigger roles, an influx of new talent and the return of assistant coach Travis Mikel, the Lion offensive line is ready to go for 2016.

“We feel like we have 10 guys in camp that we think can contribute and play on our offensive line,” Southeastern head coach Ron Roberts said. “There’s definitely some good competition at some key spots, but that’s exciting. This group has the makings of the best offensive line since I’ve been here.

“To have Coach Mikel back is huge,” Roberts continued. “He’s such a positive, upbeat person that I think he really helps the camaraderie of our entire program. The players love playing for him. His guys always play very physical with maximum effort and take a lot of pride in what they do.”

Mikel echoed Roberts’ thoughts about the depth of the offensive line corps. Through the early days of camp, he said redshirt freshman Shaq McClain had an edge at center, while junior Cyrus Ekugwum and senior Justin Barksdale were on top of the depth chart at tackle. Returning All-Southland performer Travis Romero and fellow junior Michael Vick have the inside track at guard.

Vick, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana native who prepped at Broadmoor High School, has earned praise from Roberts since the spring, when the SLU head coach said he was one of the team’s most improved players after playing sparingly his first two seasons. To Mikel, the progress Vick has made off the field has led to his success on it.

“Michael has always has had the talent and sometimes offensive lineman take a little longer to develop than other positions on the field due to the physicality of the position,” Mikel said. “The one thing that Michael really has improved on is getting serious about his academics. Doing things right in the classroom has a direct correlation on doing the right things on the football field.”

Mikel sees several newcomers ready to contribute for his team. Including Ekugwum, Mikel singled out juniors Jermaine Jones and Paxton Sims, among others, as players poised to step in right away. Regardless of who is lined up front in 2016, Mikel expects his group to be ready for 2016.

“It’s no secret that we want to run the football,” Mikel said. “But our mentality as an offensive line has to be that it doesn’t matter if we’re running or passing, we have to be mentally tough enough to execute at the highest level.

Mikel is also excited to be back with the program for a second stint. After spending the first three years of Roberts’ tenure at SLU on his staff, Mikel spent the 2015 season at Hammond High School. Mikel, who played for and coached under Roberts at Delta State, believes he’s back where he belongs.

“It’s awesome to be back,” Mikel said. “Sometimes you have to step away to reevaluate what’s the best thing for your life and your family. This is going to be my ninth year coaching and I’ve spent all but six months of it with Coach Roberts. During my time away, I quickly realized that I needed to be back here with him.

“I’m excited about being back in a family-type football environment,” Mikel continued. “Those are things Coach Roberts thrives on and produces. I’m excited about the season. We have everything in place to be a great football team. We just have to continue to get mentally and physically tougher.”

The Lions will practice in full pads for the first time on Sunday at 7 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium. Practices are open to Touchdown Club members only.

The 2016 season officially kicks off on Sept. 3, when the Lions travel to Stillwater, Oklahoma to face OSU at 2:30 p.m.

 

The Lions’ five-game home schedule opens on Sept. 24, when they welcome league rival Northwestern State for a 6 p.m. contest. Season tickets are available by contacting the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visiting LionSports.net and LionUp.com.