RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team is spoiled by a bevy of veteran experience at the outside linebacker position entering 2025.
The Colonels return multiple key players that were a part of the 2024 defensive unit that helped produce a UAC-best 23.7 points allowed per game as EKU returned to the FCS Playoffs for the second time in three seasons and the 23rd time all-time.
Altogether, EKU returns a group that combined for 25 starts and 142 tackles a season ago.
"I am happy with the spring we had," said outside linebacker coach
Derek Day. "I think we developed depth by having
Jack McGrath get a lot of reps, and having Frank [Lee] back is a plus. Looking forward to having a competitive room with Gabe [Stephens] coming back healthy this summer. The biggest thing for us will be getting the playmakers in positions to have success."
#1 Cam Junior | Redshirt Junior | Miami, Fla.
Played in all 13 games in 2024, his second season in Richmond, making eight starts with 49 total tackles.
He added three tackles for loss and one fumble recovery in the FCS Playoffs against Villanova.
In the Colonels' win over then No. 7 Tarleton State, the Miami native recorded a career-high nine tackles.
#7 Gabe Stephens | Redshirt Senior | Mount Holly, N.C.
Appeared in all 13 games a season ago with four starts, producing 35 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and a team-leading 4.5 sacks.
The North Carolina transfer also tallied two pass breakups and forced three fumbles.
#22 Frank Lee IV | Graduate Student | Orangeburg, S.C.
In his second season with EKU, Lee started eight of the 10 games he played in, recording 21 total tackles, including two tackles for loss.
The graduate student also added one fumble recovery in Colonels' win over then No. 16 Central Arkansas as EKU knocked off a top-25 team for the second consecutive week.
#25 Jack McGrath | Redshirt Freshman | Wilmette, Ill.
A redshirt in 2024, McGrath came to Richmond last season from Loyola Academy in Illinois, where he led the team in his senior season to an 8A Illinois State Championship, recording 75 tackles with one interception, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble.
#32 Jack Chappell | Redshirt Freshman | London, Ky.
Appearing in the final two games of the 2024 season, Chappell had an impressive high school career where he earned first team all-district honors with 85 tackles and six receiving touchdowns as a two-way athlete.
#47 Jacquez McGowan | Senior | Valdosta, Ga.
Made five starts and played in all 13 games in his first season as a Colonel after transferring from Tennessee Tech.
On the year, he recorded 37 total tackles and forced one fumble against West Georgia.
