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Pop quiz, hot shot: who's the ULM Warhawks' all-time leading receiver? If you said Stepfret Williams, you'd be right, bro. But before an ankle injury stole eight games from him in 2015, Rashon Ceaser was projected to pass Williams' mark of 3,177 yards. Instead, Ceaser ended his career with 2,423 yards, good for fourth between the immortal Brent Leonard and the legendary John Floyd.
Damnit! 2015 was supposed to be THE YEAR OF RASHON CEASER! He was Phil Steele's 2nd Team All Sun Belt. He was the Sun Belt's First Team All Sun Belt! The world belonged to Ceaser, and one Crimson Tide tackle not only altered Sun Belt history, it did nothing to save Todd Berry's job.
Now that Ceaser's career in Monroe is over, why should NFL teams take a look at this speedy, 6'1" 192lb receiver?
Ceaser Ruled Warhawks Pro Day
Ceaser didn't display dazzling speed at ULM Pro Day (he logged a 4.59 40, as opposed to the 4.48 he blazed at the NFL Regional Combine), but he broad jumped 9'11" and benched 225lb 17 times, displaying the athleticism that should have made him ULM's all-time greatest (instead of 4th greatest).
Rashon Ceaser Broad Jump #SlowMoStyle #WarhawksProDay pic.twitter.com/DxDnkVlfUQ
— Cole Dial (@dialcole13) March 21, 2016
That Storybook 2013 Season
2015 is no measuring stick for Ceaser's considerable skills. To get your best look at Ceaser, check out 2013, when the great Kolton Browning teamed up with the All-Sun Belt third-teamer for 964 yards (14.8 per catch) and five TDs.
The 2014 Encore Season
With the departure of Browning came the strong-armed Pete Thomas, and Ceaser was again the Warhawks' most reliable weapon, logging 872 yards and 3 scores. The combined output of the 2013 and 2014 seasons made Ceaser a Preseason First Team All Sun Belt wide receiver entering 2015. Then this happened:
ULM receiver Rashon Ceaser carted off the field after 10-yard reception and tackle by #Bama LB Reuben Foster.
— Ken Rogers (@DEBamabeat) September 26, 2015
Before Alabama Destroyed Ceaser's Season, Ceaser Destroyed Georgia
The Warhawks opened the 2015 season at Georgia, and Ceaser torched the Bulldogs for 13 catches for 153 yards, earning him Sun Belt Player of the Week honors. The next week against Nichols State, Ceaser snagged 10 catches for 97 yards. Against the Crimson Tide, Ceaser had already collected 3 catches for 22 yards when Rueben Foster rolled his ankle. What should have been Rashon Ceaser's finest season, and possibly one of the Sun Belt's best seasons ever, was not to be.
Despite Losing Nearly an Entire Season, Ceaser is Among The Sun Belt's Best 2016 NFL Draft Hopes
Only Louisiana Ragin Cajuns Jamal Robinson ranks higher among Sun Belt wide receivers on CBSSports.com NFL Prospect Rankings. This is a testament to Ceaser'' impressive productivity in 2013 and 2014, plus his awesome potential heading into 2015.
7 NFL scouts were at ULM yesterday checking out Rashon Ceaser. RS with 21 catches, 291 yards & 3 TDs last 2 games vs UGA & Georgia Southern
— Bryant Johnson (@BryantJohnson1) September 10, 2015
The Verdict
Rashon Ceaser had the potential to be an all-time Sun Belt great. His performance at Georgia is the stuff of legend. Physically, he stacks up against guys like Larry Fitzgerald and DeAndre Hopkins. But even without the ankle injury, is Rashon an NFL pick? That's a tough one to call. I predict we'll see Ceaser receive a camp offer immediately following the Draft – and that he'll impress the hell out of whoever takes a flyer on him.
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