HAMMOND, La. – A total of 13 student-athletes agreed to continue their academic and athletic endeavors as members of the Southeastern Louisiana University football program, SLU head coach Frank Scelfo announced on Wednesday’s National Signing Day.
The 2025 Lion signing class includes seven defensive players and six offensive players, adding to a Southeastern roster that just finished 7-5 overall and 6-1 in Southland Conference play, closing out the season by winning six of its final seven games.
“We went into this recruiting period looking not necessarily to fill specific needs, but to find the best players that fit what we do,” Scelfo commented. “We found 13 young men who fit into our program, not only with their play on the field, but as student-athletes who will buy into our culture and be solid academically.”
On the defensive side of the ball, SLU added four defensive linemen in BJ Ausmer (6-3, 230, Ocean Springs, Mississippi), Laramie Guidry (6-6, 235, Baton Rouge, Louisiana), Gabriel Harvey (6-3, 230, Watson, Louisiana) and Etison Pholo (6-2, 275, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada). Southeastern also added defensive backs Carter Byrd (6-1, 190, Gulf Shores, Alabama) and Jakyri Jones (5-10, 190, Monroe, Georgia), as well as linebacker Tanner Spears (6-0, 200, Amite, Louisiana).
The Lions brings in five playmakers on offense in wide receivers Aamir Ellis (6-0, 170, Locust Grove, Georgia) and Kyree Paul (5-9, 165, Baton Rouge, Louisiana), running backs Deantre Jackson (5-8, 165, Marrero, Louisiana) and Calvin “CJ” Smith Jr. (5-11, 210, Boutte, Louisiana) and tight end Lonnie Shinn (6-5, 235, Columbus, Mississippi). Rounding out the Lion offensive haul is powerful offensive lineman Deshawn Feazell (6-2, 330, Moss Point, Mississippi).
“We made a commitment going into this past season to get more athletic on both sides of the ball and it showed,” Scelfo said. “We continued that direction with this class. We were looking to increase our team speed and get longer. We were able to accomplish those goals with the group we signed today.”
Feazell, Guidry, Harvey, Jackson, Jones, and Pholo will all enroll at Southeastern for the spring semester and participate in spring practice, which starts March 11. The Lions will open the 2025 season at Louisiana Tech Aug. 30.
2025 Southeastern Football Signing Class
BJ Ausmer | DE | 6-3 | 230 | Ocean Springs, Miss. | Ocean Springs HS
Carter Byrd | DB | 6-1 | 190 | Gulf Shores, Ala. | Gulf Shores HS
Aamir Ellis | WR | 6-0 | 170 | Locust Grove, Ga. | Locust Grove HS
Deshawn Feazell | OL | 6-2 | 330 | Moss Point, Miss. | Moss Point HS*
Laramie Guidry | DE | 6-6 | 235 | Baton Rouge, La. | Naval Academy Preparatory School/University Lab HS*
Gabriel Harvey | DE | 6-3 | 230 | Watson, La. | Live Oak HS*
Deantre Jackson | RB | 5-8 | 165 | Marrero, La. | Copiah-Lincoln CC/Edna Karr HS*
Jakyri Jones | DB | 5-10 | 190 | Monroe, Ga. | Georgia Military College/Monroe Area HS*
Kyree Paul | WR | 5-9 | 165 | Baton Rouge, La. | Istrouma HS
Etison Pholo | DT | 6-2 | 275 | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | McCallie HS (TN)*
Lonnie Shinn | TE | 6-5 | 235 | Columbus, Miss. | New Hope HS
Calvin “CJ” Smith Jr. | RB | 5-11 | 210 | Boutte, La. | Hahnville HS
Tanner Spears | LB | 6-0 | 200 | Amite, La. | Oak Forest Academy
* – Will enroll at SLU for spring semester and participate in spring practice
BJ Ausmer | DE | 6-3 | 230 | Ocean Springs, Miss. | Ocean Springs HS
Led the state of Mississippi and ranked 17th nationally with 22 sacks as a senior at Ocean Springs High School … The 2024 Region 4-7A Player of the Year recorded 83 tackles (65 solo), 41 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, a blocked field goal and scored two touchdowns for the Greyhounds.
Southeastern head football coach Frank Scelfo on Ausmer: “He can be special as he continues to develop physically. He’s an edge rusher with a lot of production. He fits the mold of successful pass rushers in our league.”
Carter Byrd | DB | 6-1 | 190 | Gulf Shores, Ala. | Gulf Shores HS
Finished senior season at Gulf Shores High School with 77 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two pass breakups and an interception … As a junior, totaled 110 stops with five interceptions, 10 pass breakups and seven tackles for loss for the Class 5A state champion Dolphins … High school teammate of current Lion Otto Brewer III.
Scelfo on Byrd: “Carter is an athletic safety. He has great range and length and can really cover the field.”
Aamir Ellis | WR | 6-0 | 170 | Locust Grove, Ga. | Locust Grove HS
Standout performer at both wide receiver and defensive back at Locust Grove High School … Projects as a wide receiver for SLU … Also a standout on Locust Grove track and field team.
Scelfo on Ellis: “Aamir is an outstanding receiver. He’s got great speed and can take the top off the defense. Aamir has really good hands and makes a lot of plays with his ability to rack up yards after the catch.”
Deshawn Feazell | OL | 6-2 | 330 | Moss Point, Miss. | Moss Point HS
Multi-time All-State performer at Moss Point High School … Powerful interior lineman also represented the Tigers on the 8-4A Super 22 Team … Will enroll at Southeastern for the spring semester and participate in spring practice.
Scelfo on Feazell: “We’re excited to get Deshawn here in January for spring practice. He’s a powerful guy who fits what we’re looking for from our offensive lineman from an athleticism stand point. He can pull and get out on the perimeter, but also plays with a lot of strength.”
Laramie Guidry | DE | 6-6 | 235 | Baton Rouge, La. | Naval Academy Preparatory School/University Lab HS
Signed with Navy out of high school and spent the 2024 season at the Naval Academy Preparatory School … First team all-state, all-district and all-metro selection as a senior at University Lab … Started prep career at The Dunham School, where he also excelled on the basketball court … Will enroll at Southeastern in January and participate in spring practice.
Scelfo on Guidry: “We recruited Laramie out of high school and we’re glad to get him to come back to Louisiana. He’s a long defensive lineman that has a lot of tools to build on.”
Gabriel Harvey | DE | 6-3 | 230 | Watson, La. | Live Oak HS
All-district and All-Parish performer at Live Oak High School … Finished with 49 tackles, nine tackles for loss and five sacks as a junior … January enrollee will participate in spring practice.
Scelfo on Harvey: “Gabe came to our camp this summer and really impressed us. He’s athletics and gets around the edge well. Gabe is going to get bigger and stronger in our program.”
Deantre Jackson | RB | 5-8 | 165 | Marrero, La. | Copiah-Lincoln CC/Edna Karr HS
Returns to Southeastern after spending the fall at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, where he rushed for 682 yards and eight touchdowns … Played for the Lions in 2023, rushing for 243 yards on the season, including an 81-yard touchdown run in a win at Northwestern State … Had a 40-yard kickoff return in a SLC road win at then-Texas A&M-Commerce and averaged 25.2 yards per kick return as a true freshman … Standout running back at Edna Karr High School … Three-time All-State performer for the EKHS track and field team … Nickname is “The Jet” … Will enroll at SLU in January and participate in spring practice.
Scelfo on Jackson: “We knew what we had in Deantre and we’re glad to get him back now that he’s taken care of what he needed to academically. He adds an element of speed to our running back room and we’re excited to have him rejoin our program.”
Jakyri Jones | DB | 5-10 | 190 | Monroe, Ga. | Georgia Military College/Monroe Area HS
Finished with 55 tackles, five tackles for loss, an interception and three pass breakups in two seasons at Georgia Military College … Recorded 107 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, seven sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions as a senior at Monroe Area High School … Was also a standout on the MAHS basketball team … Will enroll at SLU in January and participate in spring practice.
Scelfo on Jones: “Jakyri is a physical player and his skill set jumps out on film. He attacks the football and he’s someone we expect to come in and compete for a starting position in the secondary immediately.”
Kyree Paul | WR | 5-9 | 165 | Baton Rouge, La. | Istrouma HS
All-state return specialist and first team all-district 6-4A on offense, defense and special teams in his first season of high school football last season at Istrouma High School … Rushed for 1,365 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023, while also returning six kickoffs or punts for touchdowns and catching three scores … Played multiple positions on the way to leading Istrouma to first trip to state quarterfinals in over two decades as a senior … Expected to be a wide receiver at SLU.
Scelfo on Paul: “Kyree is explosive with the ball in his hands. He played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, cornerback and returned punts and kickoffs at Istrouma. Kyree has a chance to be a really special player here at Southeastern.”
Etison Pholo | DT | 6-2 | 275 | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | McCallie HS (TN)
Spent senior season at McCallie High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee … Canada native spent junior season at Clearwater Academy International, where he was teammates with current Lions Evan Aubrey, Isaiah Hayes and Louis Gendron … Started prep career at St. Joseph’s High School in native Ontario … Will enroll in SLU in January and will participate in spring practice.
Scelfo on Pholo: “Etison is a good addition for our defensive line and we can never have enough big guys. He moves well and is athletic, while also playing with power. He’s someone who can hold the point of attack for us.”
Lonnie Shinn | TE | 6-5 | 235 | Columbus, Miss. | New Hope HS
First team All-District as a junior at New Hope High School … Also named team’s offensive MVP … Standout in both football and basketball for the Trojans.
Scelfo on Shinn: “Lonnie is a tall, rangy tight end that fits the mold of we’ve had at that position. He’s athletic and can block, but also can stretch the field with his ability to catch the football.”
Calvin “CJ” Smith Jr. | RB | 5-11 | 210 | Boutte, La. | Hahnville HS
Powerful running back at Hahnville High School … Rushed for 264 yards and four touchdowns in first round playoff win over H.L. Bourgeois, earning Friday Night Football and Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club Prep Player of the Week honors … Rushed for over 1,400 yards and 21 touchdowns during the regular season this fall … Also a standout on the HHS track and field team as a sprinter.
Scelfo on Smith: “Calvin is an explosive running back and a sleeper in this class. He’s extremely productive and has a nose for the end zone.”
Tanner Spears | LB | 6-0 | 200 | Amite, La. | Oak Forest Academy
Two-way player recorded 96 tackles, four sacks and three forced fumbles, while also rushing for 10 touchdowns as a senior at Oak Forest Academy … Selected to play in the MAIS All-Star Game … Won the Class 5A 100-meter championship as a junior … High school teammate of current Lion Stiles Guidry … Head coach at OFA was former SLU All-SLC linebacker Drew Misita.
Scelfo on Spears: “Tanner is a multi-sport, multi-positional athlete who can fill a lot of different roles for us. He’s a physical guy who is ready to come in and play for us right away. We had him at our camp and fell in love with his game.”
