Beelen, Lamprakes get second shot at senior season

Seniors TJ Beelen and Israel Lamprakes have battled through injuries in their careers at Southern Illinois, but their Saluki stories aren't finished yet.

Both players were listed as seniors last year but have been granted an extra year of eligibility. Beelen, a defensive tackle, received his by way of a medical redshirt following a season ending ACL tear suffered against Liberty in September 2015. Lamprakes, a wide receiver, was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. The extra season gives both players a second chance to make an impact in their senior seasons.

Beelen, who is in his fifth fall camp at Southern, tore his left ACL twice before coming to SIU, once in junior high then again in high school. In last year's home opener, his left ACL ended his season early.

"The redshirt wasn't a problem," Beelen said. "I wanted to come back and play. I didn't want to end my season with a torn ACL and not play anymore. The rehab was no problem, but not being able to practice with my teammates and seeing how last season ended was the hard part."

SIU is transitioning from a three-down linemen defense to a four-down front in 2016. Beelen's second senior season proves new defensive coordinator Kraig Pauson some valuable depth on the interior defensive line.

"I want to make as many plays as I can for my team. If I have to sit the bench because someone else beat me out, then that's what I'll do," Beelen said. "I'm going to work as hard as possible to push someone ahead of me or drag someone behind me along. I want us to go to the playoffs and eventually win a championship."

Lamprakes is in his sixth fall camp as a Saluki and sometimes jokes with his teammates about being slightly more experienced than the rest of the team; he fondly remembers his freshman year when the football team still wore white helmets. Only defensive line coach Austin Flyger has been with the program for more consecutive seasons than Lamprakes. While Beelen has been healthy for the majority of his career at SIU, Lamprakes hasn't been as lucky.

From torn ACLs to ankle sprains, Lamprakes has dealt with a lot. He suffered season-ending injuries in each of his first two seasons as a Saluki, and he still hasn't played a full season. Last year—his healthiest season yet—he broke out with 31 catches for 381 yards and four touchdowns, all career highs. He was named the team's Most Improved Player by his teammates.

Lamprakes and team trainer Brandon Harthan had to gather medical documents from multiple doctors and hospitals and write letters to the NCAA to make a case for a sixth-year for Lamprakes. After 19 weeks of waiting, Lamprakes was notified he would be allowed to play in 2016.

"It would mean the world to me to play every game this year," Lamprakes said. "I'm willing to do anything to be on the field all season, even if it means I'm playing at 80 or 85 percent health. There are no words to describe that feeling of being on the field."

Beelen and Lamprakes have the unique opportunity to take advantage of a second senior season.

"The chemistry, the players, the family, the love—everything has been at a steady growth since I came here. I feel like that's pretty significant," Lamprakes said. "This is the first year that I truly feel like we can go out here and make a difference. We're reaching our peak."

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