Sophomore defensive lineman Kobe McClendon heads the list of Lindenwood players selected for Phil Steele’s All Big South-OVC Preseason Team. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
Cedric Williams
Senior Editor
Phil Steele, one to most renowned and recognized national college football magazines, released its 2023 All Big South-OVC Preseason Team recently. And on its list, it had Lindenwood University players selected as preseason team members.
The players chosen were offensive players Cole Dugger, Ethan Johnson, Chase Lanckriet, and Gareth Warren, defensive players Darion Bolden and Kobe McClendon, and special teams performer Logan Seibert.
McClendon, who is returning for his sophomore season, earned the highest selection, as he was named second team.
Last year, the native St. Louisan and St. Mary’s High product posted 7.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 quarterback sacks, and five quarterback hurries. Each of those numbers was second on the team and earned McClendon a Stat Perform FCS Freshman All-American bid.
Bolden, Lanckriet, Johnson, Warren, and Seibert were recognized as third-team selections. Johnson and Warren are offensive linemen who will serve as the stalwarts of Lindenwood’s front line this year.
Lanckriet, a junior tight end from Windsor, Colo., will return for his second season as a starter. Last year, he caught 26 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns. His 12.3 yards per catch average was one of the top marks for all tight ends in the entire Ohio Valley Conference last season.
Bolden, a senior defensive back, who is also a native St. Louisan, is expected to be one of the leaders of the Lindenwood defense this year.
Last year, the Trinity High product had a breakout season, where he led the OVC with 13 pass breakups and notched a pair of interceptions, including a dramatic 99-yard pick-six, which tied a school record for longest interception return in program history.
The Lions will be counting on Bolden to lead a group that might be the best defensive secondary in the Big South-OVC this season.
As Lindenwood’s longtime placekicker, Seibert was named second-team all-OVC last year, after banging home 44 of 47 extra point attempts and 11 of 14 field goals. He totaled 77 points, which was second-most for any kicker in the league in 2022.
Dugger, Lindenwood’s backup quarterback the last two seasons, was a fourth team selection. He has shown major promise in limited action.
In 15 game appearances, the junior from Owasso, Okla., has thrown for 743 yards and 12 touchdowns, with no interceptions.
Lindenwood will begin its preseason training camp on Thursday, August 3. The team will have four full weeks of practice before officially beginning the season on Thursday, August 31, with a game at Hunter Stadium against Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
The 2023 home opener is set to kickoff at 7 p.m., and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
| 2023 Lindenwood Lions Football Schedule |
| Thu., August 31 — vs. Wisconsin-Stevens Point — 7 pm |
| Sat., September 9 — at Southeast Missouri State* — 6 pm |
| Sat., September 16 — at Western Illinois — 6 pm |
| Sat., September 23 — at Illinois State — 12 pm |
| Sat., September 30 — vs. Austin Peay — 1 pm |
| Sat., October 7 — vs. Tennessee Tech* — 6 pm |
| Sat., October 14 — at Charleston Southern* — 3 pm |
| Sat., October 28 — at Tennessee State* — 2 pm |
| Sat., November 4 — vs. Eastern Illinois* — 2 pm |
| Sat., November 11 — vs. Bryant* — 1 pm |
| * – denotes Big South-OVC league game |
| All Lindenwood home games will be played at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium |