RB Jason Chery commits to Louisiana
Complete list of 2005 verbal commitments
Chery is 24th UL pledgeUL saved one of its best for last in the 2005 recruiting wars.
The Ragin' Cajuns on Tuesday got a verbal commitment from highly-regarded running back Jason Chery of Spanish River Community High in West Palm Beach, Fla., giving the Cajuns 24 commitments heading into today's first day of the national signing period.
Chery, who took an official visit to the UL campus last weekend, had originally committed to Oklahoma State, according to stepfather Derrick McCray. But McCray said that OSU's interest waned when former Cowboy head coach Les Miles took over as head coach at LSU in January.
"Coach Miles was still committed to Jason, but LSU was full up," said McCray, "and the people that took over at Oklahoma State pretty much dropped him."
According to McCray, former Cajun assistant coach Carey Bailey - a member of Miles' OSU staff who was not retained - was instrumental in steering Chery to South Louisiana.
"When Oklahoma State didn't renew him, Coach Bailey told me that Llouisiana might be a great place for him," McCray said. "We sent a tape over to see what they thought about him, and they called back and said that he was awesome and they wanted him to come in for a visit."
Chery, whose family is of Haitian descent even though he was born in Florida, rushed for 1,789 yards and a total of 28 touchdowns during his senior year last fall. Some of those scores came on kickoff returns, where he had nearly 800 return yards.
He had rushed for 1,400 yards as a junior two years ago, but sat out the 2003 season to improve his academic standing. He is now fully qualified with the core courses and test scores.
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