District 8-Class 5A

28th Year Louisiana Football Magazine High School Previews for 2025

by Lee Brecheen. 

(Previews were written solely by Lee Brecheen since 1997 for Louisiana Football Magazine.)

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Central Lafourche Trojans

Head Coach:Shelly Vedros(4th year) 

2024 Record:3-6(Lost a game because of a bad storm) 

2024 Playoffs: No

2023 Record:1-9 

Key players Graduated:  FS/CB Timaja Gale, Safety Cohen Champagne, DE Zaccaeus McNabb (Louisiana Christian), DE/DT Johntras Payne, OC/OG Kaden Adams, OG Lionel Jackson, OL Grady Lawson, Athlete Marvin Maldonado.

Team Outlook: We just missed the playoffs in 2024. We need to stay healthy. In the last two years, we lost our starting QB in week 1 to injury. If we can keep the QB healthy, I think we have a chance to continue to improve. We have really good young players, and I am really excited about our future because even the Sophomore class coming up will be strong with football players. We do need to replace 4 out of 5 Offensive linemen that graduated from the 2024 team. We also just returned two starters on Defense. We will be young overall said Head Coach Shelly Vedros.”

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I think the program is headed in the right direction. I think Coach Vedros and his staff have weathered the storm these last 3 years and the program is showing signs of building a foundation of players coming up.The 2025 season coach told me he expects at least 72 players to 75 for the fall which is a good number for the program in Class 5A.

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The Offense will return there starting QB going into year 3 as the starter, Jeremy Cleveland, 5-11, 175, a SR in 2025, who has battled injuries in both 2023 and 2024. Hopefully, he can stay healthy because he’s talented and the team needs him for this year. Cleveland is a three-sport Athlete for the program. Here’s a list of young players to keep a eye on for the up coming season CB/DB Drew Washington 5-10 170 2nd year starter with speed 4.5 in the forty or better, WR Tyreke Cooper 5-10 170 a SR 2nd year starter, DE/DT Isaac Maldonado 6-1 230 new starter, WR Jorden Mason 5-11 180 SR, HB/RB/FB Alex Creggonie 5-10 190 2nd year starter, RB Robert Day 5-9 180 a 3 year starter had close 1,000 yards rushing in 2024, DE/FB Victor Ellison 6-0 230, OL Myles Crochet 6-0 210 2nd year starter leader, OLB Jerney Le 5-6 155 2nd year starter, CB Jayden Thomas 5-6 150 new starter, and DT/DE Jakiem McNabb.

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Special Teams you have Kicker Jordan Mason, Kicker/Punter George Hurley 5-10 170, also will play some Safety for the team, and Long Snapper Xander Arceneaux 6-4 220. Both Hurley & Mason have strong legs.

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Destrehan Wildcats

Head Coach:Marcus Scott(6th year)

2024 Record:10-4 

2024 Playoffs: Semis/Finals lost to Ruston HS.

2023 Record:WR Phillip Wright(LSU),DB Jhase Thomas(LSU),WR Johnnie Thiel IV(Louisiana Tech),LB Brody Picou,RB Shane Ward(Southeastern),OC/OG Michael Reed(Case Western Ohio,LB Myd Gilbert(Signing with a Junior College),TE Noah Bagwell,DT Kerry Chopin(Will sign with a Junior College),WR Duquan Dabney,DT Noah Murr.DB Jayden Bailey, DB Blake Brown

Key players graduated: 

Team Outlook: I am excited about this group. Kids got back to work since the day we lost in the playoffs. We have some very determined kids with this roster coming back said Head Coach Marcus Scott.” 

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Even though the Offense lost several starters at the skill spots going to colleges, it has a chance to be even better in 2025 overall. The WR group has a chance again to be one of the best in Louisiana lead by Jabari Mack 6-0 205 4.45 speed,  WR Greg Wilfred 5-8 165, 4.4 speed 3rd year starter, B.J Reed, Coryan Armstrong, Jordan Zeringue, Cai Williams, WR Marcel Frederick, WR Jaylan Nash, and WR Kaden Dabney. The run game features another DI back in returning starter 2024 2nd team All State RB Malachi Dabney 5-9, 185, ran for 1,600 yards with 22 Touchdowns, with (4200-yard games. His best game was against Hahnville HS with 251 yards rushing. Other backs in the rotation will be RB Michael White, 5-9, 200, and Tony Crump Jr. The QB spot returns starter Jackson Fields, one of the sleepers in the US as a QB. This is Fields' year to show everyone his full upside. This kid is 6-2, 210 pounds with a great arm and good feet in the pocket. As a result, in 2023 he passed for 2,500 yards with 25 Touchdowns, and in 2024 he passed for 1,500 yards in basically a half season because he missed some games with an injury. The Offensive Line will have size and experience back lead by OT Earl Collins SR 6-5 328 All District, Jordan Collins 6-4 310,2nd year starter Gage Schreiber 6-1 275 SR, converted LB Bruce Walker now HB/FB 5-9 235 SR with power, and 3 year starter OL Jeshua Lazo 5-11 300.

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The Defense lost nine players with a lot of experience, but will return another talented group. The Defense will build around returning starters LB/DE Bryce Bufkin 6-0, 200, who had 80 tackles in 2024 with 6 Sacks and also around the football. DB/CB Damien Richard 5-10 168 will be the new leader in the Secondary with 4.45 speed in the forty, 50 tackles, one interception, two tackles for losses, and 12 PBUS in 2024.  Also coming back are DT Brandon Ross 5-11 265,3 year starter Frank Harding, leader SR CB/FS 5-8 170, talented Safety Jakyrin Sanchez, and DT Braylon Montero 6-1 300. A few new names to keep a eye on are LB Cameron Florent 6-1 200, DB Jerimiah Robertson, LB Blaine Picou 5-10 190, LB Kyce White, LB Kardain Hart 5-11 185, new DT Nicholas Apostolidis 6-3 300 SR, new DT Joshua Fiffee 6-3 265, Athlete Aushai Smith, DE Aiden Schwab 6-2 230, DB Brian Reed, and others competing to start.

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Special Teams, there’s depth here to choose from in the Punt & Kicking game. Punter Ryan Comeaux returns as a starter, 5-10, 160, with a very good leg. Kicker is wide open with at least two players competing, maybe more, for the job in 2025. Ryan Comeaux might end up the starter at both spots in the end.

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East. St. John Wildcats

Head Coach:Brandon Brown(8th year)

2024 Record:2-7.Lost a game due to a Hurricane @ St. Augustine HS

2024 Playoffs: No

2023 Record:7-4.1st Round

Key players Graduated: DB Kyle James(Independence, Kansas JC), OLB Jerry Philips III, QB Elisha Murphy(Prep School in Mississippi), OLB M’kylen Manuel(Independence, Kansas JC), WR Kendall Walker, FS/CB Tylan Anderson, WR Jermaine Mangle(Southeastern), CB Kylan Anderson, OT/DT Lyndell Wilkins(LSU Academics), LB Ja’Von Dent, OC/DT Davien Fobb, OC Gary O’Neal, OG/OT Rojae Preston, DT/DE Jaquese Mashia(Prep School in Mississippi),

Team Outlook: Really young team in 2024. I think it will pay off in 2025 for us to play many young players, getting experience on both sides of the football in 2024. The Offensive Line will be the position where we start the most new young starters in 2025 said Head Coach Brandon Brown.”

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Tidbits:The 2024 team had 20 seniors but like coach told me many or most of those kids had zero experience going into there senior year.Head Coach Brandon Brown is a Alum of East St. John High School (Class 2001). Coach Brown played football for Alcorn State in College.I really think coach Brown and his staff do a great job in his 7 years he’s only had one season where they did not make the playoffs. In 2022, East St. John High School made it to the Quarterfinals with a 10-3 record.

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The Offense will return QB Da’Mon Scot,t 6-0, 185, a really skilled player with a good arm and good feet in the pocket. Scott started some games in 2024 and looks to have a great year in 2025. The skill talent again will be strong lead by Running Back’s Dallas Brown 6-0 200, RB Jorell Martin 5-7 170 both return with experience, Wide Receivers Deonte Fleming 6-1 175 the go to player 2nd year starter close to 500 yards receiving in 2024, new WR Gavin Lucas 6-0 190, and WR Rysean Brown 6-1 190 also a new starter both talented players and both playmakers also. The Offensive Line only returns one starter in Christian McGee, 5-11, 260, a leader. The new starters on the OL are Landon Tillman 6-3 240, Armani Craighead 6-0 260, OL Mickey Hewitt 6-1 270, and OL Demir Hamilton 6-2 255.

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The Defense returns eight starters to give the team a chance to compete for the District in one of the best in the State. Players to keep a eye on are DE Stanford Jenkins 6-0 230 2nd year starter,  DE Jayden Johnson 6-0 280 All District in 2024 glue to the Defense, CB Dasani Joseph 6-0 160 2nd year starter, CB/Safety Joe Henderson 6-0 170 2nd year starter ball hawk, DB Donald Jones 6-1 180 2nd year starter, DB Kingston Hatch 5-11 175 2nd year starter, LB Frank Harvey 6-0 185 2nd year starter, LB Warren Lebouf 5-10 225 2nd year starter leading tackler from the 2024 season, OLB Corey Palmer 6-0 180 new starter, LB Khali Gathers 5-10 185 new starter, DT Dagm Tilahun 6-0 245 new starter, and DT/DE Devrin Batiste 6-0 240 another new starter.

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Special Teams, the Kicking spot is still open after Spring, going into the Summer. The Starting Punter will be Dasani Joseph, a senior in 2025.

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H.L Bourgeois Braves

Head Coach:Sterling Washington(5th year)

2024 Record:5-5

2024 Playoffs:1st Round lost to Hahnville HS

2023 Record:2-8

Key players Graduated: RB Malik Myles(Louisiana Christian), DE/DT Tyron Winslow(SMU), CB/WR Riley Verdin, QB/WR Conner Wallace, WR Kage Trosclair,  WR Braden Breaux, TE Cole Guidry, OLB Rogers Thibodaux, DE Markwan George, LB Kayden Johnston, DT Dawson Prejean.

Team Outlook: 2024, we made the playoffs, which is a major step for the program. The last time the program made the playoffs was in the 2021- 2022 season against St. Amant High School. It’s been enjoyable seeing this program have progress, kids have bought in since I took the job 5 years ago said Head Coach Sterling Washington.”

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Tidbits: The Braves will be really young in 2025 after graduating 26 seniors from last year’s team. The Braves also only return one starter on the Offensive Line and one starter on the Defensive Line.Coach Washington told me he expects between 70 and 75 players for varsity for the Fall.

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The young Braves will build there team around some really good leaders coming back with experience QB/DE Logan Renfro 6-3 215 SR, Safety Johneares Jones 6-2 170 All District in 2024 for Special Teams, DT/DE La’rance Mitchell 6-2 225 leader All District 2024 with 10 sacks just in District play in 2024, RB Kadar Mitchell 6-0 190 SR All District 2024 with over 1,000 all purpose yards teams best Athlete,  DE Damien Lawson 6-0 190 a 2 year starter converted OLB in 2024 and now a Defensive Lineman and returning as a 2 year starter will be RB Dereck Celestine 5-5 165 played a lot of WR in 2024 but mostly RB in 2025.

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More players to keep an eye on that will start for the 1st time or play are OC/OG Naiem Hasan 6-2 250, DT/DE Donald Jones 6-5 255, OLB/Safety Tahj Mosley 6-2 180, CB Jayveon Harris 5-9 165, DE/OLB Tyler Harris 6-2 180, and WR/CB Dequenton Ruffin, a new starter with good hands, had a good Spring.

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Special Teams returning as the starting Kicker will be Colby Guidry, 5-11, 165 SR. Punter will be competition among some young players, and Guidry can also punt if needed. Long Snapper will be Logan Renfro, SR.

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Hahnville Tigers

Head Coach:Greg Boyne(2nd year)

2024 Record:8-3 

2024 Playoffs:1st Round, 2nd Round lost to Chalmette HS. 

2023 Record:3-6

Key players Graduated: WR Kobe Louis,  RB Jah’man Preston, RB Calvin Smith, DE/OLB Azur Karahasonovic, FS Xavier Champagne, DB Jacob Jeffrey, LB Matthew Bedi, OC Brodie Donnaud, OT Cameron Sumrall,  OL Chris Wilkinson. 

Team Outlook: Hard-working group. We have talented young kids needing experience in a lot of spots overall. The key now is working toward knowing how to handle success and get even better said Head Coach Greg Boyne.” 

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The Offense for The Tigers has a lot of potential to be one of the best in Class 5A in 2024 if they can stay healthy like a lot of teams every year with such tough schedules.I went to one of the teams off season work outs they are working hard to do great things i saw this with my own eyes back in the Spring.

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The QB will be Landen Teague(Passed for 1,900 yards in 2024) returning for his second season, has a good arm, and is a natural leader at 6-0, 185 pounds, a former Baseball player for the program. The run game will go through RB Fabian Celestine 5-10 180 with a 4.4 seed, a talented kid with experience from the 2024 season, and WR/RB Patrick Jackson Jr 5-7 175 returns with 4.4 speed and good hands out of the backfield. The new WR for the Offense is former QB Bennett Naquin, a natural switch for him at 6-2, 185 pounds with legit 4.55 speed in the forty and god hands. This kid will help the Offense as a WR in 2025 with big-play ability. There’s also speedy WR Aaron Williams 5-9 165 with speed 4.5 in the forty, big play ability. The talented sleeper SR WR Kevias Singleton 6-0 170 also has speed 4.5 in the forty. WR Karon Henderson 5-9 150 SR, WR Lance Marshall, and young WR Dwayne Cola. The Offensive Line, though young, will be led by talented Ja’ron Myles 6-4 265, OT Kirt Bourgeois 6-4 245, TE new starter lettered in 2024 Michael Propps, and several young OL will compete for starting jobs like Mason Fielder 6-1 270, Evan Frickey, and others.

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The Defense does return some leaders with starting experience in DE/LB Raanan Russ 5-11 210 one of the best players in the District at his position with 4.6 speed in the forty, LB Carter Burns 6-2 205 SR, CB Raynell Gale 6-0 165 SR prospect 4.5 speed 5-11 170, DE Dahniel Banks 6-0 247 big time tackler, leader MLB Koa Romero 5-10 220 SR, one of the best Defensive Lineman in Louisiana Frederic Downing 6-4 290, DE Raymond Williams 5-11 215 SR, CB/Safety Savayon Weber 5-8 175 returning starter, and some new players like DB/WR Drake Weber 5-8 155 4.5 speed, CB Aaron Walker, LB Chad Stroyewski 6-1 190,  Beaux Woods DE/OL 6-3 225 might play both sides of the ball, talented CB Lionel Irons will help the Defense and others competing for playing time.

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Special Teams, one of the best Kickers in Louisiana, if not the best, returns in 3-year starter Myles Borey, 6-0, 175. Borey will handle both Punting & Kicking duties for the program in 2025.

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Terrebonne Tigers

Head Coach:Tyler Lewis(4th year) 

2024 Record:8-3 

2024 Playoffs:1st Round lost to Chalmette HS

2025 Record:7-4.1st Round lost to Westgate HS 

Key players Graduated: WR Quincy McKay Jr(Tuskegee), WR Carl Anderson(Centenary), FS Rhainge Smith(Louisiana Christian), CB Braylon Brown(Ottawa College, Kansas), DE/LB Zyon Simmons,  OC/LSP Jaret Bolden, LB Mason Coleman.

Team Outlook:  We did not lose much in production or starters. We return 90 % of our roster from a year ago. We will have more leaders in 2025 as a team. We are excited about returning three key linemen in the program, too, in key spots for us. We will have a total of 26 seniors in 2025. We expect close to 90 players in the fall said Head Coach Tyler Lewis.”

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The Offense will return a 3-year starting QB in Owen Oliver, who threw for over 2,000 yards in 2024. Owen is 5-11, 210, and built like an RB or LB, and not easy to tackle with a good arm. The Offense will not hurt for playmakers returning one of the fastest players in Louisiana, RB/WR 4 year starter 2024 Hon Mention All State/All District in 2024, Alvin Celestin, 5-9 16, ran for over 1,000 yards as an RB and can slide out to Slot/WR at anytime for the team. You also have back 3-year starter RB/WR/ Quincy Adams 5-10 205, who has power and also had over 1,000 yards rushing in 2024. Adams can also play some QB and slide out to WR for the Offense. Also rotating in at RB will be talented Sahj Ruffin, 5-10 170, with 4.55 speed in the forty. The WR position is one of the deepest in the State lead by #1 target back Terrance Diggs 5-10 160 with 4.5 speed in the forty 2nd year starter, WR Mason St. Germaine 5-8 155 playmaker SR, WR A’Khiree Parker 6-0 165, WR Kovante Howard 5-9 175 SE new starter withJ’Khri Brown new player, and WR  will rotate in Braylon Williams 4.5 speed in the forty, WR  5-10 175. The Offensive Line will be one of the best positions on the team to make all this work lead by 2024 Hon Mention All State OT O” Ryan Mosley 6-4 305 3 year starter SR leader, OC/OG 3 year starter Chris Stewart 6-1 285 SR, OT/OC Taden Bingham 6-4 285 2nd year starter, and OL/OG Waylon Lirette 6-0 265 a new starter for the program.

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The Defense will build around 4-year starting Defensive Tackles 2024 Hon Mention All State Julian Coleman 6-0 317 SR, and Safety 2nd year starter Chris Delestre 5-10 165, who had two pick six touchdowns on Defense in 2024. More key players to watch are CB Kalum Verdin 5-11 165 new starter, DE/OLB Christian Matherne 6-0 185 2nd year starter, LB Branson Bouvillion 5-10 190 2nd year starter, Safety Kevin Bass 2nd year starter, CB Cameron McKay,  Safety Malik Matthews 5-10 160 new starter, OLB/DE Kolvin James 5-11 180 new starter, CB Chase Stewart 5-9 155 new starter, LB Chase Cunningham 5-10 175 new starter, and LB/FB Caden McKay 5-10 190 will rotate in on Defense.

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Special Teams will return both Brennan McCormick, Field Goal Kicker, and Place Kicker Alex Gibson, both really talented young players with good legs.

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Thibodaux Tigers

Head Coach:Lowell Narcisse(1st year)

2024 Record:3-6-1

2024 Playoffs: No

2023 Record:4-6

Key players Graduated: RB/WR Cohen Jarreau, Athlete Dominic Blanchard, WR Bryson Woods, Safety Tyler England,  FS Lawrence Bangura, TE/FB Camden Maggio, Kicker/Punter Zack Hutchinson, OC Jaxon Granier. 

Team Outlook: We are breaking bad habits. Focus on the little things.  There is a way to win by teaching the process of what it takes to get to that point. Thibodaux High School has always had talent, it’s just putting it all together said Head Coach Lowell Narcisse.”

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Tidbits: Head Coach Lowell Narcisse was the top QB in Louisiana his senior year at St. James High School in 2017 and one of the top Quarterbacks in the United States that year. Narcisse signed with LSU after one season and transferred in 2018 to Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College, then the University of San Antonio they also known as UTSA, and then finished playing QB for Nicholls State University in 2020. Narcisse was the QB coach in 2023 for East Ascension High School, and became the Head Coach for Ascension Catholic High School in 2024. Narcisse led his St. James High School Football team to the State Title game in 2016, his junior year in high school. Thibodeaux High School's last winning season was in 2019, when it made the playoffs and went 7-4 on the season.

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The Offense, after talking to Coach Narcisse, is way ahead of the Defense with more experience back and the ability to score some points. For the 1st time in 3 years, there will be a new QB in Damien Robinson, 5-11, 180, a really good Athlete with the ability to be a dual QB and a great future. The WR position has at least six players in the rotation lead by the best player on the Offense WR Cohen Aucoin 5-8 155 2nd year starter leader, WR Kyren Folse 6-2 175 SR with big play ability returning starter, WR Jonathan Bell 5-10 155 2nd year starter,  WR Jacob Terrell 6-3 175 new starter, WR Carlton Ingram Jr 6-3 160 new starter and WR Anzeo Holmes 6-0 160 will rotate in.  The run game has a chance to be really strong, led by returning starter RB Amari Griffin 6-0 200, a 2nd year starter,  RB Vondarius Brown 5-8 160, RB Camarii Carto 5-8 170, and RB Cemiyen Adams, all rotating in. The Offensive Line has size and depth you have OT Caleb Williams 5-9 250 new starter, Center Benson Gros 6-0 250 new starter,  OG/OT Jackson Bartnesky 6-1 245 new starter, OG/OT Carter Clement 6-2 255 3 year starter leader, OG/OT Carson Danos 6-1 245 2nd year starter, OT Ky-Mari Carter 6-3 275, OG Geevanni Carter 6-0 360,  and OL Tyler Tardiff 6-2 305 will rotate in. Starting at FB/HB/TE will be Tevin Martinez, 5-9, 195 pounds, as a new starter.

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The front seven you have DT Jerimiah Jones 5-9 245 2nd year tarter, LB Brayden Boyd 5-11 185 1st year starter, DE Charles Howard Jr 5-11 230 2nd year starter, LB Landon Pertuit 5-10 170 2nd year starter, DE Jack Oncale 5-10 240 new starter, LB Conner Jarreau 5-9 180 2nd year starter, and LB Andre Jones 5-10 195 is a starter who will miss the 1st part of the season recovering from a injury once he gets back hopefully by mid season will help the Defense also. The Defensive Backfield you have CB Amod Randolph 5-11 155 2nd year starter, CB Robert Tolbert 5-9 160 new starter, Safety Omirein Southall 5-11 160 2nd year starter, Safety Spencer Conrad  5-10 175 2nd year starter, and new starter Safety Brayden Arceneaux 6-0 160. DB Austyn Owens 6-2 165 will rotate in at Safety/CB.

Special Teams, the new starting Kicker and Punter will be Jack Oncale, 5-10, 240.  In the return game, you have Cohen Aucoin, Vondarius Brown, Robert Tolbert, and Carmarii Carto, all capable of returning Punts or Kickoffs, which will be a strength in 2025 for the team.

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