Woodville native JaCorey Hyder delivers steady production for Lamar

Woodville native JaCorey Hyder carries the ball for Lamar during the 2025 season. (Photo courtesy of Lamar Athletics)

While college football’s brightest spotlight often shines on bowl games and playoff runs, consistent production week after week is just as valuable — and that’s where JaCorey Hyder has carved out his role this season.

Hyder, a senior tight end for the Lamar Cardinals, has emerged as one of the team’s most dependable offensive weapons during the 2025 campaign, turning opportunity into production through reliability, toughness, and versatility.

Senior season impact

In 2025, Hyder appeared in 12 games, making four starts, and tied for fifth on the team with 16 receptions for 221 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 13.8 yards per catch.

His most productive outing came against Incarnate Word, where he hauled in three receptions for 73 yards, showcasing his ability to stretch the field from the tight end position. Hyder also found the end zone in key matchups, scoring against Central Arkansas and nationally ranked Southeastern Louisiana, providing timely contributions during conference play.

A steady climb

Hyder’s senior campaign capped a steady collegiate progression.

As a junior in 2024, he played in seven games and recorded 13 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown, including a standout performance against Mississippi Valley State where he posted four receptions for 91 yards and a score. He also contributed in rivalry action against Stephen F. Austin.

During the 2023 season, Hyder saw action in nine games, adding receiving reps and even contributing defensively with a tackle, reflecting his willingness to impact the game in multiple ways.

Across his collegiate career, Hyder has played in 28 games, making five starts, and totaled 31 receptions for 395 yards and three touchdowns.

From Woodville to the college ranks

A Woodville High School graduate, Hyder was a four-year letterman and three-year starter for the Eagles, helping guide the program to a 29-6 record over his final three seasons — the most successful stretch in school history.

As a senior, Hyder starred on both sides of the ball, catching 50 passes for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also contributing defensively with tackles, tackles for loss, and pass breakups. His all-around athleticism earned him first-team all-district honors, a three-star recruiting rating, and recognition as a Dave Campbell’s Texas Top 300 selection.

Hyder also competed in basketball and track & field, reinforcing the multi-sport foundation that has translated to his physical style of play at the college level.

Quiet work, real results

Hyder’s path hasn’t been defined by a single highlight moment, but rather by consistent effort and production over time — a reflection of both his development and the East Texas football roots that shaped him.

As his senior season comes to a close, Hyder’s steady contributions serve as a reminder that success in college football isn’t always built on flash — but on reliability, toughness, and showing up every Saturday ready to work.