By Morgan Huizar
After a successful 2024 season, the University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals have bolstered their roster with 12 new players from various universities. Head coach Clint Killough and his staff once again recruited highly regarded athletes to help defend their Southland Conference title in 2025.
The team faces challenges in replacing key players who transferred, including quarterback Zach Calzada, who moved to Kentucky, and Mister Williams, who transferred to San Diego State. However, the departures have allowed the coaching staff to bring in new talent, including running back Jaylon Spears from Nicholls State, linebacker Brayden Hay from Houston Christian University, wide receiver Chedon James from Fresno State, defensive back Pig Cage from Louisiana Tech University, and others.
Spears, the 2023 Southland Player of the Year at Nicholls State, rushed for 753 yards and scored nine touchdowns that season. After struggling with injuries in 2024, he is looking to bounce back in 2025, with help from fellow running back Dekalon Taylor. The Hay brothers, Brayden and Nolan, will play together for the first time after facing each other for a season. In high school, Brayden set a school record for career and single-season interceptions and is excited to bring that skill to UIW. Following a season in which the Cardinals had two receivers with a top 1,000 yards record, Jalen Walthall and Roy Alexander, they added another playmaker. James, who was named to the Preseason All-Mountain West Fourth Team in 2024, was also a Walter Payton Award finalist while playing for Fresno State. Defensive back, Cage, who played in seven games for Louisiana Tech last season, is putting his best foot forward. Cage finished 2024 with eight tackles and hopes to make a significant impact on the defensive side of the ball. To strengthen their offensive line, the Cardinals added Cam Foster from Southern University. At 6 feet 3 inches and 315 pounds, Foster provides much-needed depth for a line that struggled at times last season. In the secondary, Tyler Morton, an All-American at Nicholls State, joins UIW after three years with the Colonels. Morton was named an AP FCS Second-Team All- American in 2023 and earned First-Team All-Southland and All-Louisiana honors.
The Cardinals also added Mike Stoker from Texas Christian University. Although Stoker did not see playing time in 2023, he is expected to compete for a starting spot in 2025 and will be key to the team’s success. Following the loss of linebacker Tylan Foster, UIW signed linebacker David Powers from Wofford. Powers started 10 of 11 games in 2023, leading the team with 102 tackles, including five tackles for loss and three sacks. He was named Second-Team All-Southern Conference. The Cardinals also added Jaylen Dotson, a defensive back from Kent State, who recorded 70 tackles in his career. Dotson is expected to contribute immediately to the defensive backfield. Special teams coach Blair Cavanaugh added defensive back Reece Sylvester to the roster. Sylvester played in nine games at Washington State, accumulating eight tackles. Another addition is linebacker Jachai Pulley from Pasadena City College. Pulley led the Lancers in tackles (69), solo tackles (39), and assisted tackles (30), adding a sack and pass breakup. He will provide depth to a linebacker corps that includes Declan Williams, who played last season with a torn UCL.
Finally, sources indicate the Cardinals added one of the top JUCO prospects in defensive lineman Jeremiah Young. Young, who is expected to help strengthen a defensive line that struggled against the run, will join the team after a standout career at Independence Community College. With 12 new players, the Cardinals are expected to not only defend their title at the Southland Conference, but continue to succeed in football and soar above the rest.
