CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Newcomer Paxton DeLaurent will be Southeast Missouri's starting quarterback when the Redhawks take the field for their season-opener at Big 12 Conference and Football Bowl Subdivision member Iowa State Sept. 3.

DeLaurent edged CJ Ogbonna -- who started every game under center last season -- in a tight race that wasn't decided until Monday morning.
 
At 6'5", 215 pounds, DeLaurent finished a strong camp to win his first starting job as a NCAA Division I quarterback.
 
A native of Camdenton, Missouri, DeLaurent enjoyed a lot of success the previous two seasons at Central Methodist University. There, he earned Heart of America All-Conference honors after completing 171-of-349 passes for 2,499 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2021. DeLaurent averaged 208.3 passing yards per game in 12 starts. He was also the Eagles' top rusher with 553 yards and seven more touchdowns.
 
"Paxton is a lot more athletic than you would think being so long and tall," said SEMO Offensive Coordinator Jeromy McDowell. "He can process in a hurry and that allows him to anticipate throws and use all his weapons at any given time. Paxton uses the whole field and makes the defense defend the entire field every snap."
 
As a prep, DeLaurent amassed 7.909 passing yards and 98 touchdowns in 31 career games at Camdenton High School. He led his team to the Ozark Conference title, two district championships and back-to-back trips to the Class 4A state quarterfinals. DeLaurent compiled a 23-3 record as a two-year varsity starter. Additionally, he was named the Missouri Class 4A, Class 4A All-Region and Ozark Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2019.
 
DeLaurent's path to SEMO is unique. Ninth-year Head Coach Tom Matukewicz initially found out about DeLaurent when he received a letter at his Cape Girardeau home that came from his mother, Heather. Once Matukewicz received the letter, the Redhawks began recruiting DeLaurent and later signed him to a National Letter of Intent.
 
"Paxton has shown to be very accurate in his ability to create," said Matukewicz. "He has stepped up several times and manages our offense well."
 
Ogbonna, like DeLaurent, also put together a nice camp. He earned a spot on the Ohio Valley Conference All-Newcomer Team after completing 111-of-220 passes for 1,521 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago. Ogbonna ranked fourth in the OVC in passing average (181.3 ypg), fifth in pass efficiency (119.3) and fourth in total offense (170.7 ypg).
 
"Both Paxton and CJ will have to help our football team this year," added Matukewicz. "At times, we will play multiple quarterbacks."