Louisiana Adds 21 On National Signing Day

[NewsCopy]

Louisiana head football coach Michael Desormeaux announced the addition of 21 players on Wednesday for the 2026 season during National Signing Day.

Louisiana stayed in-state for the majority of its newcomers with 14 players – including 12 within a two-hour drive – hailing from the Bayou State. The Ragin' Cajuns added three players from the state of Mississippi, two from Alabama, one from Texas, and one from Australia.

Twenty of the 21 newcomers signed scholarships to play for Louisiana beginning in the 2026 season with the Ragin' Cajuns adding a preferred walk-on.


Six of the newcomers – Devin Franklin (Oak Grove, La.),
Jai'Vale Fredericks (Daphne, Ala.),
Mason Golding (Melbourne, Australia),
Trey Shaw (Hattiesburg, Miss.),
Xavier Waters (Houston, Texas)
and Edrick Williams (Daphne, Ala.)
will officially enroll at Louisiana beginning for the Spring 2026 semester.

"National Signing Day is always an exciting time," Desormeaux said. You get to add to the culture that you're trying to build, and we're really excited about this group. Our staff did a phenomenal job. This morning, you're 20 for 20, so no bad surprises there, which is always what you worry about going into it.

"A lot of these guys have been committed since June," said Desormeaux. "And it's been a really fun group, I think they're excited about being a part of what we're doing here, about trying to elevate our program and trying to get back to (Sun Belt) conference championships. They've been really good throughout this whole process."

Louisiana Athletics
RaginCajuns.com
PRESS RELEASE

[SlickRick]

David Baker – OL, 6-5, 350, New Orleans, La. (Warren Easton HS)
Rod Bingham – S, 5-11, 175, Plaquemine, La. (Plaquemine HS)
Jerry Birdlow – TE, 6-4, 230, Slidell, La. (Slidell HS)
Kristion Brooks – WR, 6-3, 185, Zachary, La. (Zachary HS)
Ty Dominique – DL, 6-3, 235, Slidell, La. (St. Augustine HS)
# Devin Franklin – LB, 6-5, 210, Oak Grove, La. (Oak Grove HS)
# Jai'Vale Fredericks – OL, 6-6, 315, Daphne, Ala. (Daphne HS)
# Mason Golding – P, 6-2, 190, Melbourne, Australia
Gunnar Goodwin – OL, 6-4, 295, Corinth, Miss. (Kossuth HS)
Luke Green – S, 6-1, 190, Lafayette, La. (Lafayette Christian Academy)
Julius Harper – CB, 6-2, 180, Prentiss, Miss. (Jefferson Davis County HS)
Harrison Kidder – LB, 6-1, 210, Baton Rouge, La. (Catholic HS)
Jayden Michael – OL, 6-5, 325, Lutcher, La. (Lutcher HS)
Jordan Pinnock – DL, 6-4, 240, Baton Rouge, La. (University Lab)
Jayden Reed – S, 5-11, 180, Monroe, La. (Neville HS)
# Trey Shaw – OL, 6-4 295, Hattiesburg, Miss. (Oak Grove HS)
Ke'Rynn Smith – RB, 5-9, 190, Metairie, La. (Holy Cross)
Jackson Villaume – LS, 5-10, 210, Baton Rouge, La. (Parkview Baptist School)
Braylon Walker – CB, 5-10, 175, Lafayette, La. (Lafayette Christian Academy)
# Xavier Waters – DL, 6-1, 320, Houston, Texas (North Shore HS)
# Edrick Williams – S, 6-0, 175, Daphne, Ala. (Daphne HS)

[CajunNation]

only 3 DL. 2 of them way too small.

not good

[HelmutVII]

I'm sure all these guys are fine young men but it would be nice to know what other schools were interested in them. How does one fine out these things?

[RedBug58]

only 3 DL. 2 of them way too small.

not good

One of the DL recruits is 6-1. 320. I’d put him right in the middle.

[CAJUNSby90]

only 3 DL. 2 of them way too small.

not good

the two you are referencing are edge rushers. Theyll put 10-15lbs on withing the first year.

[cjr3888]

One of the DL recruits is 6-1. 320. I’d put him right in the middle.

He's an interior guy. The other two are Edge guys, 6'3" & 6'4".

[ronnied]

I'm sure all these guys are fine young men but it would be nice to know what other schools were interested in them. How does one fine out these things?

Open the ragin Cajuns link at the top of the thread. Shows other interested schools on some, but not all of the signees.

[Tasso]

Look on the article

[CrazyCajun]

only 3 DL. 2 of them way too small.

not good

6'4 240 and 6'3 235 DE's still in high school too small? Micah Parsons is 6'3 250