Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns finalized their 2009 recruiting class on Wednesday after officially receiving signed copies of National Letters of Intent from 14 prep and four junior college prospects.

The Cajuns stayed within the Pelican State for half of their class, getting commitments from nine student-athletes hailing from Louisiana. Head coach Rickey Bustle inked two Acadiana prospects in athlete Andrew Hebert from Teurlings Catholic in Lafayette and running back Robert Walker from Mamou High in Mamou.

Other in-state signees include defensive back Winston Burnette (Baton Rouge/Woodlawn HS), Tyrell Gaddies (New Orleans/Eisenhower (Texas) HS/Coffeyville CC), Javone Lawson (Harvey/Helen Cox HS), Jacob Maxwell (Pearl River/Pearl River HS), Brandon Nash (Baton Rouge/Redemptorist HS), Jewell Ratliff (New Orleans/McDonogh 35 HS) and Ashton Tyler (Marrero/L.W. Higgins HS).

“This is an exciting class,” Bustle said. “We definitely hit needs and filled those needs with a limited number of scholarships.

“The character of this group will mesh smoothly with our team chemistry. All of these young men are goal-oriented toward graduation.”

Bustle and his staff also picked up three commitments from Florida, two from Texas and one each from Alabama, California, Mississippi and North Carolina.

The Cajuns signed nine players on offense, eight on defense and one athlete. Lineman was the most coveted position and the team was able to pick up four signees on the defensive front and three on the offensive front.

“I expect several of our signees to contribute next season,” Bustle added.

Although originally listed as a signee last season, defensive back Melvin White from Freeport, Texas (Brazosport HS) is classified as an initial counter for the 2009-10 season. White enrolled at UL in the Fall 2008, but was not academically qualified to accept a scholarship.

Three other signees have already enrolled for the Spring 2009 semester (WR Andrew Joseph, DL Jordan Topp and WR Vernon Wolfe) and will be available to compete in spring practice.

RaginCajuns.com

NLI pdf file