BATON ROUGE, LA – Southern University Athletics proudly announces the launch of Uncaged: Building Beyond the Bluff, a seven-month leadership development initiative designed

to empower Jaguar student-athletes to excel beyond their respective sports.
 

Funded through the NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program (AASP) Grant, Uncaged is led by Tambria Bradford, Director of Student-Athlete Development and Academics, and

Venessa Jacobs, Student-Athlete Support Coordinator. The program focuses on holistic development through leadership, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and personal branding, equipping

Southern student-athletes to thrive beyond the bluff.
 

Throughout the program, participants will engage in workshops, mentorship pairings, and collaborative experiences that strengthen their leadership and life skills. Each student-athlete

will be partnered with a professional mentor who will guide them throughout the duration of the program, providing one-on-one support and career insight.
 

The curriculum also features campus-wide partnerships with the Southern University Law Center, College of Business, Department of Mass Communication, Athletes for Hope,

EFCU Financial, and more. These collaborations will cover topics such as contracts, NIL education, financial literacy, media training, and community impact. The program culminates in

a capstone pitch, where each cohort member will present a philanthropic or business venture of their own creation.
 

Undergraduate student Mykah Mares, Assistant Strategic Communications, is leading the marketing and personal branding component of Uncaged. With the program's motto "In Your

Bag," Mares helped bring to life a visual campaign that showcases student-athletes as young business professionals who are balancing competition, academics, and entrepreneurship.
 

The cohort's reveal shoot was staged in front of a vault, symbolizing both financial literacy and the concept of "being in your bag." The creative direction highlights the modern student-athlete

as multidimensional, disciplined, driven, and investing in their future.
 

"Uncaged: Building Beyond the Bluff represents the essence of Jaguar excellence by preparing our student-athletes not just for the next game, but for the next chapter of life," said Southern

University Athletic Director Roman Banks. "We're proud to provide our athletes with the resources, mentorship, and exposure to become future leaders in business, community, and

beyond."
 

"This program is about going beyond what's expected. Our goal is to help student-athletes realize that their talents and influence extend far beyond their sport," said Tambria Bradford,

Director of Student-Athlete Development and Academics. "Through Uncaged, they are building confidence, discovering their purpose, and creating impact that lasts long after their time on the

bluff."

The 2025 Uncaged: Building Beyond the Bluff Cohort includes:

Markeis Batiste – Football

Xavier Bradley – Baseball

Herman Brister III – Football

Eva Clayton – Cheer

San'aa Doss – Women's Soccer

Jordan Felix – Volleyball

Christopher Hall – Football

Logan Hart – Volleyball

Michael Jacobs – Basketball

Kenneth Jackson – Baseball

Kira Johnson – Softball

Keeton Johnson – Track & Cross Country

Omari Johnson – Baseball

Wyatt King– Golf

Keira Miracle-Tilford – Softball

Mariah Mott – Volleyball

Christian Phillips – Track & Field & Cross Country

Jayden Rogers – Football

Angel Stein  – Bowling

Collins Spencer – Baseball

Iyanah Taylor – Volleyball

Rondisia Williams– Track & Field

Kai Wince – Tennis

Through Uncaged: Building Beyond the Bluff, Southern University continues to invest in the holistic success of its student-athletes, celebrating those who are not only "in their bag" on the

field but also in the classroom, the boardroom, and the community.