STOKER HEADED TO LAMAR | Bulldogs defensive back part of an impressive signing class, coach says

Kilgore High School senior Zaylon Stoker (center) signed a letter of intent with Lamar University, where he will continue his education and football career. (Photo by MITCH LUCAS – ETBLITZ.COM)

Kilgore High School has a first-class football program, and that program doesn’t happen without first-class players like Zaylon Stoker.

Stoker, a senior at KHS, made one of the biggest decisions of his life on Monday, signing a national letter of intent to continue his education and his football career at Lamar University.

Stoker did play receiver a bit, but his primary role for the Bulldogs was as a defensive back.

As a senior, Stoker had 106 tackles (he and Malachi Pierce were the only two with over 100 tackles on the team). He had 68 solo tackles, one for loss, four interceptions, two pass break-ups, a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown. He helped the Bulldogs get to the fourth round of the UIL Class 4A playoffs for a second straight year, and also to win the District 9-4A, Division I championship with an unbeaten record (6-0).

His junior year was his big one, as in big plays. Stoker had 10 interceptions, among the best in the state, taking four of them back for touchdowns. He also had returned a blocked kick for a touchdown, and had five pass break-ups and 80 tackles. Kilgore reached the fourth, or regional, round in the 2022 season, as well.

As a sophomore in the 2021 season, Stoker had 55 tackles and two interceptions, to a district championship, 11 wins and to the third round of the playoffs.

In all, Stoker, listed at 6 feet, 165 pounds, was a part of a senior class that went 33-8 and won eight playoff games.

Lamar University went 6-5 in the 2023 season. The Cardinals are a member of the Southland Conference – other members are Houston Christian, Incarnate Word, McNeese State, Nicholls State, Northwestern State, Texas A&M-Commerce, and Southeastern Louisiana. Lamar won just one game in 2022.

Stoker adds to a big haul of incoming freshman, according to head coach Pete Rossomando.

“We had a full recruiting cycle with this class which helps,” Rossomando said, on Lamar’s football website, LamarCardinals.com (Rossomando Adds 17 Players to Roster on Early Signing Day – Lamar University Athletics (lamarcardinals.com). “We got through spring recruiting, through summer camp season, the fall and gameday visits so we’ve been through the whole gamut with these guys. All of that has made it easier to navigate and to get to know people. I think this class is a good representative of every position and it hits our needs, but more importantly it’s the type of people we want to have in our program.

“Last year we were telling athletes the story of what we envision, but now we have some facts to back it up. When you talk about turning the culture of a program around, I believe we’re 120 degrees in that direction. I don’t think we’re at a full 180 yet but we’re headed in that direction. That has a lot to do with guys wanting to be a part of something special.”

Stoker (right) and Needville quarterback Diego Ochoa introduce themselves to each other in a third-round playoff game in November. (Photo by ALEX NABOR – ETBLITZ.COM)