Orangefield’s All-Time leading rusher, Mason Manning, made it official Wednesday by signing to play with the Lamar Cardinals.
“Mason put in the work to get to the next level,” said Head Coach Jeff Breaux. “Not just the work you do with the team, but the work you do when nobody is looking.”
Manning set the new mark on his last game when the Bobcats played Franklin in the second round. He finished his career with 4181 yards and 62 touchdowns.
He was one of 11 that signed with Lamar Wednesday, and the only local product to sign with the Redbirds.
Cards Add 11 on Early Signing Day
BEAUMONT, Texas – Less than a week after making their second appearance in the NCAA FCS Playoffs, and the program’s first appearance since 2018, Lamar University looked to the future with the addition of 11 high school standouts to the roster announced head coach Pete Rossomando Wednesday afternoon.
Wednesday marks the second consecutive year that the Early Signing period – which officially began for football during the 2017-18 academic year – fell in the first week of December. The incoming class of 11 standouts marks Rossomando’s first signing class since Lamar’s run to the 2025 NCAA FCS Playoffs.
“The even distribution on both sides of the ball was purposeful,” said LU head coach Pete Rossomando. “Obviously, the most important thing when your recruiting is to fill needs. This is a talented early signing class and I’m excited to have them join our program. These guys have all been in our camps and on our campus. We feel good about them as people and not just players.”
The 2025 early signing class consists of an even mix of talent on both sides of the ball with six offensive players and five on defense. The position breakdown includes two running backs, one offensive lineman, one quarterback, one receiver and one tight end. The five defensive signees include three linebackers (two outside linebackers), one defensive back (safety) and a defensive lineman.
The Cardinals’ staff remained primarily within the Lone Star State for the early signees with the lone exception being Trandin Benjamin (New Iberia, La. – Westgate HS). The class also includes one signee from the Golden Triangle – Mason Manning. A 5-10, 190-pound running back from Orangefield, Manning has been committed to the Red and White since prior to the start of the 2025 season.
The signing of running backs Andikan Asuquo (5-10, 182, North Forney HS) and Manning come at a perfect time for the Red and White who lost three veteran backs following the 2025 run to the NCAA FCS Playoffs. Both are all-district players who combined to rush for more than 4,200 yards during their careers and scored a combined 38 touchdowns in 2025.
“Andikan played for R.J. Carver this year who is a former four-year letterman with us,” said Rossomando. “So we know the stock of talent we are getting with him. Mason has been super productive throughout his career – both running and catching the ball. He’s just a football guy. It makes it more special for us that he is from right down the road in Orangefield.”
The incoming class, which is expected to grow on National Signing Day in February, is coming at a key time. Lamar recognized 21 seniors during its final home game of the 2025 season.
2025 Early Signing Day Bios
Adedapo Adetosoye – 6-4 – 310 – OL – Katy, Texas / Katy HS
High School: A three-year letterwinner …The spark for an offense that racked up more than 4,300 yards of total offense in 2025 … A versatile athlete who has played both guard and tackle positions … Guided Katy to a 2025 District 19-6A title with a perfect 8-0 record … Rated as one of the top 500 players in the state of Texas according to Dave Campbell’s … Named to the 2026 DCTX All-Sleeper Team and prior to his commitment to LU was named to the DCTX All-Uncommitted Team … Chose Lamar over offers from UIW and Northwestern State.
Andikan Asuquo – 5-10 – 182 – RB – Forney, Texas / North Forney HS
High School: A four-year letterwinner … Rushed for 2,827 yards during his career … Averaged 6.9 yards per carry … As a senior, carried the ball 128 times for 1,207 yards and 17 touchdowns … He averaged nearly 10 yards per carry (9.4 ypc) and 109.7 yards per game during his senior year … Recorded six games of at least 100 yards rushing in 2025 … Closed his career with 12 games rushing for at least 100 yards and 29 touchdowns to earn all-district honors … Named offensive player of the game while leading North Forney to a bi-district title.
Trandin Benjamin – 5-9 – 180 – DB – New Iberia, La. / Westgate HS
High School: Scored eight touchdowns on offense and picked off four passes and recorded seven sacks defensively … A former MaxPreps Player of the Game selection … Named to the Daily Advertiser’s 2025 Top 25 Defensive Players to Watch … Also received an offer from Northwestern State.
Kha’ron Freeman-Wade – 6-2 – 220 – DL – Denton, Texas / Ryan HS
High School: Recorded 59 tackles, including 44 solo stops as a junior … Of his 59 stops 32 went for losses with eight sacks … Also broke up three passes and forced two fumbles … Garnered first-team all-district and all-area honors following his junior season … Also received an offer from UNLV.
Malcolm Graham – 6-3 – 215 – LB – Richmond, Texas / Travis HS
High School: Named first-team all-district following his junior season … Ranked 95th among the VYPE Magazine’s Top 100 Players in Houston … Also received attention from Louisiana Tech, Rice, Texas State, Jackson State and Tennessee State.
Kamron Hall – 6-2 – 188 – LB – Aledo, Texas / Aledo HS
High School: Guided Aledo to a district title with a perfect 13-0 (8-0 district) record in 2025 and a No. 8 ranking in the state of Texas … Has recorded 92 total tackles in the past two seasons, including 66 solo stops … He also has 8.0 career tackles for losses … Picked off two passes as a senior, recovered three fumbles and forced one … Also received an offer from Western Illinois.
Braeden Imhoff – 5-11 – 175 – QB – Prosper, Texas / Prosper HS
High School: Named District 6-6A Offensive Player of the Year … Named to the 2026 DCTX All-Sleeper team … Guided Prosper to a Bi-District title and was named Sports Illustrated National Athlete of the Week … Imhoff completed 22-of-30 passes for 496 yards and eight touchdowns to help Prosper defeat Hebron, 66-39 … Also had a five-touchdown game in a victory over Richardson Berkner … Completed 85-of-126 (.675) passes for 1,596 yards and 14 touchdowns during his career.
Mason Manning – 5-10 – 190 – RB – Orangefield, Texas / Orangefield HS
High School: A three-time first-team all-district running back … Carried the ball 174 times for 1,379 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior … Averaged 7.9 yards per carry and nearly 115 yards per game in 2025 … This coming on the heels of a junior campaign that saw him rush for 1,700 yards and 26 touchdowns and be named a finalist for the Willie Ray Smith Award … Garnered 2024 District 10-3A MVP honors … Named first-team All-District 10-3A running back … Also received offers from Air Force, UTEP and UTSA.
Justin Neal – 6-4 – 220 – TE – Waco, Texas / University HS
High School: A first-team All-District 10-5A DII selection … A standout for the University HS basketball team as well receiving first-team all-district honors on the hardwood … Helped lead University HS to its first district title since 1996 and its first outright title since 1956 … A standout in the classroom being named National African American College Board Scholar … Chose Lamar over offers from Air Force and Arkansas State.
Torrey Paul – 5-8 – 155 – WR – Klein, Texas / Klein HS
High School: Named to the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl … Hauled in 43 passes for 889 yards (20.7 ypr) and 10 touchdowns during his career … Named 2023 district offensive newcomer of the year and first-team all-district at receiver … In addition to his accolades at receiver was also named district kicker returner of the year … A three-time player of the game selection … Also held offers from Army, Air Force and Marist.
Qwardai Peoples – 6-2 – 205 – LB – Tatum, Texas / Tatum HS
High School: Recorded 70 total tackles, including 24 solo stops and 20 tackles for a loss during his senior season … Two of his TFLs were sacks … Recovered a fumble he returned 45 yards and recorded five quarterback hurries.
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