Saluki Football will celebrate the impact of 21 seniors on Saturday

CARBONDALE, Ill. —  In what will surely be an emotional moment of celebration and reflection, Saluki Football will recognize 21 seniors prior to the team’s final home game on Saturday.

Among the players who will walk out with their parents before the game versus South Dakota State is All-American quarterback DJ Williams, who also walked on Senior Day last year, but elected to return to SIU for his final season of college football and to mentor the team’s younger QBs.

“You preach all week about the focus you got to have and then you go through a whole range of emotions 18 minutes before kickoff,” said head coach Nick Hill, who traditionally greets each family as they are introduced and walk out from the home tunnel.

Offensive tackle Coleon Smith is the longest-tenured player who will walk on Saturday. He arrived on campus in 2022 and has left a legacy that extends beyond football.

“Last year on his birthday, he got the team together to buy pizzas and feed people at the homeless shelter in town,” Hill said. “He's an incredible young man who has a heart of service and is always thinking about others.”

Andrew Behm at last year's Senior Day

Some of the players, such as linebackers Andrew Behm and Chris Presto, have overcome major injuries to have outstanding seasons. Behm, who also walked on Senior Day last year, leads the team with 70 tackles, while Presto excels in pass coverage.

“I’ll look back on the last few years of playing the game with those two as some of the best moments of my life,” said fellow linebacker Ben Fiegel. “It’s been an honor to play with them.”

Some players have overcome major obstacles to have successful seasons, such as wide receiver Tae Marrero, who was caught up in the national whirlwind of NCAA eligibility. He is on a pace to break the school’s single-season and career punt return records.

“I just love Tae’s persistency and his consistency,” said wide receiver Kyle Thomas. “We all know that he didn't practice during fall camp with us. For him to be able to come in and do what he’s done all season is just crazy and shows his dedication.”

Three more receivers who will walk on Saturday are Allen Middleton, Traivon Dyson and Markell Quick.

Tae Marrero received an extra year of eligibility.

“Those are my brothers,” Thomas nodded. “This is the closest room I've ever been in. We spend a lot of time at the facility. The past few years, I’ve spent more time with them than with my actual family, so you build a really close connection.”

Four defensive linemen will take part in the Senior Day ceremony: Max Bremer, Cam Miller, Jake Parrella and Ibrahim Sanogo. Bremer, a former walk-on, and Parrella are both in their fourth season with the Salukis.

“Parrella’s a fox-hole kind of guy,” said defensive end Lukus McDaniels. “You always want to be with Parrella, no matter what kind of situation you're in. He just going to give us his all.”

This group of seniors features so many inspirational stories. Long snapper Ryan Algrim is planning a career as a firefighter. Running back Jimmy Athans’ career spans 39 games and countless special teams reps. Center Ostyn Friday was a walk-on until the 2026 season and is now starting. Representing his Colombia homeland, cornerback Sebastian Vargas Escobar leads the league in interceptions. Brothers Lem Wash and Miles Wash reunited to play football together in 2025.

Not all of the seniors and fifth-year players will walk on Saturday. After celebrating Senior Day with their families in 2025, Derek Harden Jr. and Miles Marshall elected not to walk again in '26. Both players leave a lasting legacy at SIU.

After the pregame recognitions are over, the focus immediately turns to the No. 4-ranked Jackrabbits.

“This game of football isn't guaranteed to anyone,” Thomas pointed out. “Hopefully, the season lasts a couple more months, but for some of these guys, it may be the last time suiting up and playing football here. It's an emotional time for a lot of guys, but you just got to honor that and turn it into motivation with the way you play.”

Senior Day Ceremony Participants

LS Ryan Algrim, RB Jimmy Athans, LB Andrew Behm, DT Max Bremer, H Jace Clark, WR Traivon Dyson, C Ostyn Friday, C Luis Gastelum, LB Cole Lalama, WR Tae Marrero Jr., WR Allen Middleton, DE Cam Miller, DE Jake Parrella, LB Chris Presto, WR Markell Quick, DE Ibrahim Sanogo, OT Coleon Smith, CB Sebastian Vargas Escobar, RB Lem Wash, LB Miles Wash, QB DJ Williams