Tarleton State University Athletics

Lavender joins Tarleton State after spending the last three seasons at SMU. He played in a combined eight games, totaling a catch for 20 yards and 18 rushing yards. He played in three games in 2023, two games in 2024, and three games last season. Lavender made his collegiate debut against Prairie View A&M on Sept. 16, 2023.
 
Lavender was a three-star prospect by 247 Sports and Rivals coming out of Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas. He ranked as the 104th overall prospect in the state by ESPN. He was a First Team All-District selection as a junior after an 1,100-yard season, and was District 7-5A-II Special Teams MVP as a sophomore. Lavender rushed 30 times for 193 yards and a touchdown in 2022, catching 46 passes for 795 yards and 10 touchdowns. He originally chose SMU over TCU, Kansas, Texas Tech and Tulsa among others. He played four varsity years, and participated in three years of varsity track and field.
 
Lavender, a Lucas, Texas, native, will major in sports management at Tarleton State University.