Louisiana offers CJ Bailey

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C. J. Bailey receives his first scholarship offer
C. J. Bailey (Ath, Moss Point, MS) - C. J. stole the show out of all of the cornerbacks that attended the scout.com combine that was held in Starkville on May 10th.

He has parlayed his success from the combines and spring practices with his first scholarship offer, as ULL offered him last night.

"ULL offered me today. Their head coach called me and told me that I had a scholarship waiting on me. I promise you I will be calling you in June with two more offers. Coach Luke at Ole Miss told me today that after I come to his camp, they were going to offer me. I thought I might get that offer today, but he said that the rest of the coaches needed to see me at the camp before they formally offered me."

And who is the second school C.J. Bailey expects to offer?

"MSU. I have not talked to them like Ole Miss, but their recruiter told me they were going to offer me after they see me at their camp. He said he had seen what he wants to see, but their DB and head coach wants to see me in person first."

What does C.J.'s pecking order look like right now?

"I would have to say Ole Miss right now. They are my number one choice. ULL would be next, then I would have Alabama followed by MSU. In the Spring, the Alabama coach came down to see one of my practices. But, he did not follow up with me like the Ole Miss and ULL coaches. I never heard from him again, but I am going to camp there and rock their boat. I am going to show them what they are missing."

The rest of the story
By Yancy Porter Mississippi Scout
Date: May 25, 2005

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An earlier report

C. J. Bailey's recruiting profile
By Yancy Porter Mississippi Scout
Date: Mar 9, 2005

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Louisiana's Ragin' Cajun football program is starting to get a reputation as a breeding ground for professional defensive backs. . . .

Antwain Spann is the latest to earn that tag after signing a free agent contract with the NFL's New York Giants. Spann joins an increasingly long list of defensive backs who have stepped up to the NFL.

C.C. Brown, the other half of UL's 2004 safety tandem, was a sixth-round selection of the Houston Texans (No. 188 overall) in this year's draft.

Cornerback Charles Tillman was chosen in the second round (No. 35 overall) by the Chicago Bears in 2003 and went on to have a standout rookie campaign. Tillman has since overcome injury to remain a fixture in the Bears' defense.

Tillman's UL teammate Ike Taylor was a fourth-round pick of the Steelers in that 2003 Draft.

Speedy cornerback Brad Franklin was selected by Carolina in 2002.

Safety Orlando Thomas, who led the nation in interceptions as a junior at UL, was a second-round pick by Minnesota in 1995 and promptly led the NFL in interceptions as a rookie to earn a berth in the Pro Bowl.

Crowley product Thomas, whose jersey No. 42 is among those decorating the student side wall at Cajun Field, enjoyed a productive career before entering coaching at Comeaux High School.

Cornerback Todd Scott also played for the Vikings after being picked in the sixth round by Minnesota in 1991.

Tim Sensley, a standout at cornerback for UL from 1992-95, played for the New York Giants.

Damon Mason (1994-96) carved out a productive career in the Arena Football League after playing well enough at UL to also have his No. 9 painted on the Cajun Field wall.

The source of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[RaginEsquire06]

The Home of the Ragin Cajuns is surely the place to be for a defensive back who wants to make it to the next level!