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LAFAYETTE - Being a part of the University of Louisiana's first winning season since 1995 has been a great experience for former Northwest High wide receiver Jasper Edwards.
Edwards, who has always dreamed of playing major college football, might not have gotten the chance to be a part of that history-making squad had he listened when recruiters said he was too small to play D-I football.
Most of Edwards' offers came from smaller schools, so the ex-Raider took matters into his own hands and walked on to the Louisiana program last year.
"Other schools said I was to short," Edwards said, "but I always liked UL and I thought they had a good chance to compete in football."
Since arriving at UL, Edwards has learned following his dream will take more work and dedication than high school athletics ever required of him.
"At football practices the coaches and the players are really into it," Edwards noted. "The coaches are very hands-on and teach the game. The practices are very up-tempo."
Edwards noticed the speed and talent differences right away.
<center><p><a href="http://www.dailyworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060104/SPORTS/601040323/1006">The rest of the story</a>
By George Hollier
Sports Correspondent
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"The players get involved, they get hyped. Everybody has speed, especially the corners," Edwards said. "Everyone runs 4.3 and 4.4 (in the 40-yard dash).
"They put you in the scheme and that makes the players get involved," he offered. "(The intensity) is almost like a high school game. I wasn't used to it at first."
Edwards said he thinks being able to go through upcoming spring drills will give him a better chance to see where he fits in with the Cajuns this season.
"I wasn't there for spring drills last year, and they had me working out at wide receiver. During the spring, coaches tend to change things around," Edwards stated. "More than likely I'll play at receiver or maybe move to corner."
The experience of walking on at UL has been positive, Edwards said, and redshirting has given him a chance to learn the different offensive formations the Cajuns use.
Edwards witnessed the Cajun program's turnaround - starting with only one victory in their first six games then winning five straight.
"I really admire Rickey Bustle because he kept us up when everybody's head was down," Edwards said. "He came in and said we would run the table and everybody believed him. They knew we could do it."
Edwards said the University of Louisiana is poised for even greater gridiron success, building on this year's progress next season.
"There are a lot of good athletes at UL, a lot of good coaches that don't get the recognition they deserve," Edwards opined. "They really don't get enough credit for what they are doing over there."
In 2006, the Cajuns have six home games on the schedule, and open in Baton Rouge, giving local fans plenty of opportunities to see Edwards ply his trade if he can manage to wrangle some playing time.
"We have a lot of good players returning from last year and our recruiting class is excellent," Edwards offered. "I will have to take my game to another level this season."
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