With the recruiting process for next fall’s incoming student-athletes complete, the Ragin’ Cajuns football team kicks off its spring football practices on March 11th. The team will use fifteen practice dates to build on last season’s successes and help the coaching staff answer questions in key position battles.

The Ragin’ Cajuns must replace departed starting seniors at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, defensive tackle, cornerback, safety and kicker. Practices, scrimmages and the spring game all help the coaching staff to evaluate players and hopefully fill the vacant positions before next season.

“Spring football is an opportunity to develop chemistry in a new football team that will be led by new seniors,” head coach Rickey Bustle said. “This is the chance for the new seniors of the team to step-up and lead.”

The most pressing need may be for a starting quarterback. “We will be looking for which young quarterback can be a leader, make plays and manage the offense,” quarterbacks coach Jorge Munoz said. The list of potential quarterbacks for next year will include sophomores Brad McGuire and Chris Masson, as well as redshirt freshmen Blaine Gautier, Keldric White and Brady Thomas.

At running back, the Cajuns must find a way to replace the Sun Belt Conference’s all-time leading rusher. “There will never be another Tyrell Fenroy,” stated running backs coach Brian Jenkins. “I will be looking for the running back that wants to seize his chance to take over and carry the load for our offense. It’s going to be great to watch and see who steps their game up to the next level this spring.” The running backs that will be competing for the starting job include Julian Shankle, Matt Dupre, Undrea Sails, Draylon Booker, Yobes Walker and Ian Roberts.

On defense, the Cajuns look to continue to improve on the unit’s motto, ‘Tackles and Turnovers’ according to defensive line coach Gerald Broussard. “When we watch film on the defensive players this spring, we will be looking for which players can tackle, create turnovers and also give great effort and intensity every day.”

The spring football roster will include approximately 101 participating athletes. Of those, eight players will be limited because they are recovering from surgery. The limited participants include defensive players Grant Fleming (knee), Richard Brooks (knee), Tory Day (knee) and Jeremy Cook (thumb) and offensive players Brad Bustle (shoulder), Chris Fisher (knee), Nasser Jamal (knee) and Jonathan Thomas (knee).

Practices are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with scrimmages on Saturdays. Spring football culminates with the annual spring game, Saturday April 4, at Cajun Field.

RaginCajuns.com