LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Sam Houston head coach Chad Davis is building this season’s identity up front, leaning on a veteran offensive line to set the tone for the Broncos.
“Being a team that people are scared to play because of how physical we are,” Davis said.
Davis said the continuity along the line gives the unit an edge heading into the season, with four starters returning from a year ago.
“We only lost one O-lineman from last year, so we returned four starters on the O-line,” Davis said. “Obviously, they had a great offseason. They’ve gotten bigger. They’ve gotten stronger.”
Leading that group is 6-foot-5, 300-pound Notre Dame commit Albert Simien, who is playing his final season as a Bronco. Simien said the weight of the moment is not lost on him.
“Because it’s my final year, kind of getting overwhelmed by all the emotions of it,” Simien said. “It’s like the last go-around of it. You know, growing up, you’re thinking like, high school’s high school. Then you get here, it’s like, I got three years left, two years, one year. Now it’s like, okay, it’s for real. You got to take this seriously.”
Simien said expectations are high for the group but that the unit’s familiarity is an asset.
“Expectations are high for this group, but we’ve been around each other for way too long,” Simien said. “They know what’s on their shoulders. They know that we’re leaning on them, and they’ve taken it in and took off with it.”
Sophomore running back Hudson Anderson said he has full confidence running behind the Simien-led line.
“You know, they create lanes for me as a running back that makes me feel like I can go score five touchdowns a game,” Anderson said.
After a 3-7 finish last season, Anderson said the team used the offseason to reset.
“Our summer was one of the best summers I’ve ever been a part of in my life,” Anderson said. “Our work ethic is going to get us farther than a lot of people think.”
Linebacker Ian Meche echoed that sentiment.
“We’ve been putting in work all summer,” Meche said. “We’ve just been fired up, excited for this season.”
Davis said this group stands apart from others he has coached.
“This team’s just different. I’ve been around a lot of teams in my career,” Davis said. “This is a very talented team, but a balanced team.”
Meche said the bond within the program goes beyond football.
“We have heart. These guys die for each other, fight for each other. We love each other. This is a brotherhood. This isn’t just a football team,” Meche said.
Simien said the team’s goal is clear.
“That’s where we see ourselves going, really,” Simien said. “And just putting that mindset into dudes, there’s nowhere else we will accept going besides the Dome.”
Copyright 2026 KPLC. All rights reserved.