As you can see above, UL released their official hype video for the 2014 season. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some real football. Luckily, we're just close enough to start building a complete picture of what this year's Cajuns will look like.
Here I have a rundown put together from notes, tweets, and hearsay that should give you an idea of who will be on the field against Southern on August 30th. If you have any additions or corrections, feel free to post them in the comments.
- The slot receiver battle to fill the hole left by Darryl Surgent's departure has taken some odd turns. After playing LB/DB last season, and returning a pick-six 99 yards against WKU, rSo. Al Riles has moved into the WR (H), spot and been the leader all camp. But rFr. Matt Barnes has "had a phenomenal camp," according to Hudspeth. Barnes is a converted TE. After those two, it looks like is Fr. Gabe Fuselier will take the third spot, but may still see playing time this year.
- Former Miami Hurricane, Jacoby Briscoe, may see playing time at DT or nose guard, but there seem to be concerns about his pass rushing. The staff has commented that he's in much better shape than he was last year, but still exceeds 300 lbs. Hudspeth is looking to rotate guys on the defensive line to keep them fresh, so expect to see Briscoe in on rushing downs, at least for now.
- Mykhael Quave is wearing a cast as a precautionary measure for a hairline hand fracture. He is expected to play the season opener, but I wouldn't be surprised if he only makes a short appearance. Expect senior backup Jarad Martin to fill in a good bit.
- T.J. Worthy suffered a concussion and missed a few days of camp, before returning to limited action Thursday. Worthy is considered the third safety behind SS Trevence Patt and FS Sean Thomas. Depth in secondary is a concern, but don't expect the Cajun staff to rush his return.
- So. Kevin Fouquier really stepped up after a slow spring, with Hudspeth commenting that he, "will be a really good player for us in the middle." We'll have to see if that performance was strong enough to earn the starting MLB spot over Sr. Trae Johnson.
- Elijah McGuire is still expected to return punts, but kickoffs look like the will go to either Jr. CB Montrel Carter or So. WR Devin Scott. We may also see running back Darius Hoggins involved in the return game after an exceptional camp.
- Speaking of running backs, Jr. Effrem Reed has taken up the third string spot after McGuire and Alonzo Harris, which should see plenty of playing time. Behind him are Jr. Torrey Pierce and Hoggins, who coaches have been excited about lately. Don't be surprised if all five backs get on the field at some point this year. Not all at the same time of course.
- In a surprising move, Hudspeth passed on Jr. Eddie Gordon and rFr. Grant Horst at center, and opted instead to move Jr. LG Terry Johnson over instead. I'm sure that is in no small part due to the development of Jr. JUCo transfer Donovan Williams, who will fill in for Johnson at guard.
- So. Brooks Haack also had a great camp, and should maintain his spot as Terrance Broadway's primary backup.
Overall, the Cajun two-deep should look slightly different going into their showdown with Southern than it was just a few weeks ago.
OFFENSE |
||||
QB |
8 |
Broadway, Terrance SR |
9 |
Haack, Brooks RS SO |
RB |
46 |
Harris, Alonzo SR |
15 |
McGuire, Elijah SO |
WR-X |
4 |
Robinson, Jamal SR |
21 |
Bates, CJ SO |
WR-H |
2 |
Riles, Al SO |
37 |
Barnes, Matt RS FR |
WR-Z |
11 |
Butler, James SR |
18 |
Scott, Devin SO |
LT |
70 |
Quave, Mykhael JR |
62 |
Martin, Jarad SR |
LG |
77 |
Williams, Donovan JR |
55 |
Dunbar, Karmichael RS SO |
C |
72 |
Johnson, Terry SR |
61 |
Horst, Grant Fr |
RG |
67 |
Quave, Daniel SR |
65 |
Freeman, Jesse Fr |
RT |
68 |
Anderson, Octravian So |
62 |
Martin, Jarad SR |
TE |
10 |
Pettis, Larry SR |
81 |
Byrne, Nick SO |
DEFENSE |
||||
DE |
93 |
White, Marquis JR |
99 |
Douglas, Romaine SO |
NT |
9 |
Ringo, Christian SR |
90 |
Briscoe, Jacoby SO |
DT |
6 |
Hamilton, Justin SR |
95 |
Stephens, Roderick Fr |
SLB |
52 |
Tovell, Dominique JR |
29 |
Alexander, Tyren So |
MLB |
38 |
Johnson, Trae SR |
44 |
Fouquier, Kevin SO |
OLB |
59 |
Molbert, Jake SR |
57 |
Prater, Chris JR |
WLB |
13 |
Hill, Chris JR |
51 |
Granier, Trey SO |
CB |
20 |
Jones, Dominick RS SO |
5 |
Adkins, Antoinne JR TR |
SS |
4 |
Patt, Trevence SR |
27 |
Worthy, T.J. JR |
FS |
24 |
Thomas, Sean SR |
23 |
Walker, Tracey Fr |
CB |
7 |
Trim, Corey SR |
11 |
Watson, Jevante JR |
SPECIAL |
||||
P |
48 |
Cadona, Daniel SR |
33 |
Brauchle, Stephen JR TR |
PK |
45 |
Stover, Hunter SR |
33 |
Brauchle, Stephen JR TR |
LS |
58 |
Morella, Stephen RS FR |
40 |
Guidry, Jake JR |
H |
40 |
Guidry, Jake JR |
9 |
Haack, Brooks RS SO |
PR |
15 |
McGuire, Elijah SO |
23 |
Hoggins, Darius SO |
KR |
3 |
Carter, Montrel JR |
18 |
Scott, Devin SO |
Extra Pepper
- Southeastern head coach, Ron Roberts, let the world know in a tweet that JUCO WR Dylan Bossier had joined the Lions. Bossier had a brief stay with the Cajuns, never playing a snap, and left a few weeks ago on, what seemed like less-than-amicable terms.
- Single game tickets for the opener against Southern go on sale Monday at 10am. Reserve tickets are $30, while general admission are $25.
- UL confirmed that they will renew the football series with McNeese, starting next year.