Louisiana Football Holds First Spring Practice

LAFAYETTE – The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team kicked off their 2018 spring season with their first practice of the season, which was held on Cajun Field.

Cajuns head coach Billy Napier installed his faster paced practice tempo in his first full practice with the team as the Cajuns worked their way through the first full session, in preparation for the Vermilion-White Spring Game, which is scheduled for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Apr. 21.

IT'S A FREE GAME: Although practices throughout the spring are closed to the public, the Vermilion-White Spring Game on Saturday, Apr. 21, starting at 12:30 p.m., will be open to the public for free, and will be played at Cajun Field. The game will also be broadcast live on Cox Sports TV.

14 TIMES THE PRACTICES: Today's session was the first of 14 practices that the Cajuns will have over the next six weeks, and they'll practice three days a week over that period of time. There's a break for the Easter holiday from Mar. 30-Apr. 7, before the Cajuns hold six more sessions over two weeks heading into the Vermilion-White Spring Game.

QUOTEWORTHY:
(Head Coach Billy Napier):
General Statement
"Our first spring practice went well today, and it was exciting to see our kids in a football setting for the first time. We had a lot of energy and positivity, but there's also a lot that we can improve on. We've got work to do, but the practice was what we wanted it to be."
On What He Wants to See in Practice
"We're trying to focus on the intangible parts right now, such as the effort, the discipline and the toughness. If we can zero in on those things we feel like we've got enough talent to win. We're going to have to develop some high-quality depth and execute at a higher level. With that being said I think that the attention to detail still needs to improve. For now we're focused on what we can control and right now I think we're going a good job of that."
On How the First Day Went
"The practice structure was all new for the kids, so we had a bit of a learning curve in that regard. We take tremendous pride in being efficient once that horn blows to start practice. Both the players and the coaches will improve going forward in the practice setting."
On Goals for The Players in The Spring
"We want to continue to establish and build an identity. I asked the players a couple of questions today, first being are you an asset for this team. And what do you need to do to become a complete player at your position. That's where our focus is at and during this time of the year we're trying to improve on technique and acquire knowledge on the system we're installing."
On Offensive Depth
"I think we've got plenty of depth at receiver. While we're a bit banged up at running back and slightly inexperienced at tight end, our offense line is deep, and I feel as though that's the strength of our team. At quarterback we've got a bunch of guys who have played in some games but have also been a bit inconsistent in their play. Each unit has work to do, but we're going to be able to install and run our system, while catering to our personnel as we get closer to the spring game."

(Kevin Dotson, Jr. OL)
On First Day of Practice
"I feel pretty good about it. I feel like the team is buying into everything we're trying to do. The tempo was good, and the format of the practice was enjoyable."
On the Practice Tempo
"The practices were different from what we've had before because of how we were moving around a lot. We moved from station to station, which kept me focused on the task at hand."
On Being Coached by Head Coach Billy Napier
"He's not the get in your face type of person, but he's going to let you know what you have to do and make sure that you're able to do whatever he asks of you."
On the Quarterback Competition
"I like it and I feel as though it's going to be a healthy competition between all of them. I think that when the coaches pick a starter they'll stick with them going forward."

(Corey Turner, Sr. DB)
On First Practice
"The first practice was great, it was high tempo and we had both the defense and offense running around getting good work in. It's different from what it was before, but I think that the guys pretty much enjoyed it and we're going to get better because of it."
On Practice Tempo
"Coach Napier presses on transitioning from drill to drill and I think at the end of the day it's going to make us a better football team when it comes to game time."
On What the Defense Is Capable Of
"Our defense has a handful of athletes on it and with the group of older players that we have bringing the younger guys along, I think that our defense can be real good going forward."
On Taking A Step Forward on Defense
"We need to continue to keep doing what we're doing and if we listen to what the coaches are telling us, we'll keep moving forward and we'll keep getting better."

THE FALL IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER: Louisiana opens up the 2018 regular season at home when they host the Grambling Tigers on Saturday, Sept. 1 in the 18th Annual Herbert Heymann Football Classic. The Cajuns non-conference schedule is highlighted by a trip to Mississippi State on Saturday, Sept. 15 and defending national champion Alabama on Saturday, Sept. 29. Louisiana will get their Sun Belt Conference schedule started in-between their SEC trips when they host Coastal Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Cajun Field.

FOLLOWING THE RAGIN' CAJUNS: Follow the Cajuns on twitter (@RaginCajunsFB), Facebook (RaginCajunsFootball) and Instagram (ragincajunsFB) to stay up to date with all things Cajuns football as they roll through the spring season.

#GEAUXCAJUNS

Louisiana Football Holds First Spring Practice

Players Mentioned

Kevin Dotson

Corey Turner

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