Cajuns opt for speed
Running backs, speed prospects in skill positions top new class.
Rickey Bustle gave his assistant coaches one job during the months leading up to 2005's national football signing day. He wanted speed.
He wanted his University of Louisiana football team to have the kind of speed at the running back, receiver and defensive back slots that makes opponents sit up, take notice and lose sleep.
He wanted the linemen in the Ragin' Cajuns' recruiting class to have quickness as their major asset, with size not the biggest priority.
"We needed to improve our team speed a lot," Bustle said. "We decided that we'd go after the 220-pound guys that could run instead of the 260-pound guys that couldn't. And we were looking at backs that may not have been the biggest guys, but they had the speed we wanted."
Apparently, the Cajun staff took that charge to heart, because speed was on display in film highlights at the Cajuns' annual recruiting bash at the Cajundome Convention Center.
Bustle announced a total of 24 signees Wednesday, the first day that high school players could legally sign national letters of intent. The group included 21 prep athletes and three junior college transfers.
"We're probably bringing in the fastest class, speed-wise, that we've had since I've been here," Bustle said. "This is the most athletic group, but I'm most excited about the speed this group will add to our returning squad."
That speed was most evident within a trio of highly-regarded tailbacks - Deon Wallace of Houston-Worthing, Tyrell Fenroy of St. Charles Catholic in LaPlace and late addition Jason Chery of West Palm Beach, Fla.-Spanish River Community High.
Those three combined to rush for 4,775 yards and score 70 touchdowns during their senior seasons, and all three listed better than 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash on their resumes.
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Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com
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