Award Winners From This Year's Ragin' Cajun Spring Game

Spring football has been completed in Lafayette, Louisiana and with that, the Ragin' Cajun coaching staff has announced their award winners from the spring practice season and following spring game. Let's take a look at a few spring game notes and thoughts...

Awards were given out at the game as they typically are. Michael Jacquet won himself the Offensive MVP award. He's a redshirt freshman receiver out of Beaumont, Texas.  His four catches plus work during the entire spring practice session was enough to share this award with Eddie Gordon (OL) and Grand Horst (OL).

Defensively, Simeon Thomas and Joe Dillon really impressed the coaching staff earning them both Defensive MVP honors. Simeon Thomas has been described by many as a "monster" and is praised for his versatility in the defensive backfield. He will likely play cornerback for this defense, but has practiced some at the safety position as well.

Joe Dillon should give the defense an edge rusher, but Coach Hudspeth has even said he might see some time at the inside linebacker position. Considering both Thomas and Dillon impacted the defense little last season, these two stepping up to play significant roles would be a huge help to the 94^th ranked scoring defense last season (31.8 points per game).

There are many "Most Improved" players coming out of this spring, but there are three I want to talk about here: Dion Ray (QB), Jordan Wright (RB), and Robert Hunt (OL).

Dion Ray is a true athlete that is working his hardest to find playing time as a redshirt freshman. Considering no quarterback impressed during the spring game, Ray has a shot at stepping in and winning a job if the opportunity presents itself. The offense was pretty bland during the spring game, but a player like Ray can make plays on his own.

It is worth noting that no starting quarterback has been named, but Jordan Davis is the heavy favorite at this point in the year. The coaches recognizing Ray's improvement at the quarterback position is a big step in the right direction considering it wasn't too long ago I talked about Ray changing positions.

At every offensive position this spring there was a major battle to be had and at the running back position, the backup and future star was a major concern. Elijah McGuire needs help in 2016 if he wants to get back to being the explosive player he was in his first two seasons and Jordan Wright certainly looks like that help. He had 19 carries for 85 yards and one touchdown in the spring game.

And finally, you can't forget about the freshman offensive lineman who has really impressed coaches this spring. Robert Hunt is a guard by trade and Hudspeth was quoted as saying that he could be a four-year starter for the program. What a major get this would be to have a young man like Hunt be productive from day one of the 2016 season.

The Ragin' Cajuns concluded their spring season this past Saturday and it's all a waiting game now. When will Coach Hudspeth name a starting quarterback? Will we hear any clues as to who is ready to step up at receiver? Will a playmaker arrive on defense this summer? Time will only tell for this 2016 Ragin' Cajuns team.