University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Are You Ready for Some Football?
3/1/2010 11:16:00 PM | Football
With recruiting complete and the 2010 schedule announced, Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns now turn their attention to spring football. The team kicks off its spring practices this Wednesday, March 3rd. UL has fifteen practice dates to build on last season's successes and help the coaching staff answer questions in key position battles.
The Cajuns have been bowl eligible in four of the last five seasons.
Head coach Rickey Bustle begins his ninth spring with his entire coaching staff in tact. The Ragin' Cajuns return 18 letterwinners on offense, including their starting quarterback, wide receiver, tight end and a pair of offensive lineman. Defensively, 17 letterwinners return, including eight starters. The Cajuns return three starting defensive linemen, two starting linebackers and three starters in the secondary.
Practices, scrimmages and the spring game all help the coaching staff to evaluate players and hopefully fill the vacant positions before next season.
"We have the least amount of movement in terms of players changing positions that we've ever had in the spring" head coach Rickey Bustle said. "Our goals are to see how much we've improved in terms of strength and quickness (in the off-season). It will be a good chance to see how the new guys fit in. Defensively, I'm excited to see how much improvement we can make."
The biggest need on offense during spring drills will be replacing three veteran offensive linemen. All-Sun Belt performers Brad Bustle and Chris Fisher, along with three-year starting tackle Kyle Pirtle, will be missed, but the Cajuns have a large group of players competing for the open spots.
Offensive linemen Matt Autrey, Leonardo Bates, Nasser Jamal, Daniel Lamelle, Jaron Odom, Sean Osborne, Kyle Plouhar, Robert Robinson, Evan Ruiz and Colin Windsor will fight for three open positions alongside incumbent starting right tackle Jonathan Decoster and starting center Ian Burks (who will move from guard).
The Cajuns will also have an open competition at running back. Newcomer Robert Walker will get to show his stuff next to Julian Shankle and Draylon Booker. That trio will gain valuable reps before junior college transfer Kevis Streeter and freshman Aaron Spikes join the fold in the fall. Matt Desormeaux and Yobes Walker will compete for the starting job at fullback.
On defense, the Cajuns look to continue to improve on the unit's motto, 'Tackles and Turnovers' with eight starters returning. The biggest battles will be to replace defensive end Hall Davis and safety Gerren Blount. Redshirt freshman Justin Anderson and JUCO transfer Bernard Smith will battle at defensive end, while safeties Winston Burnette, Le'Marcus Gibson, Seth Guilbeaux, Lance Kelley, Chris Richard and Maurice Rolle, Jr. will all be give the chance to find jobs and strong and free safety.
The Cajuns will audition Anderson, Matt Gore and Matt Rosenbalm at deep snapper, as the team looks to replace four-year starter Scott Hayes.
The spring football roster will include approximately 90 participating athletes. Amazingly, no players are slated to miss a significant portion of spring drills due to off-season surgery. Last season, eight players were either limited or out due to injury problems.
Practices are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with scrimmages on Saturdays. Spring football culminates with the annual spring game, Saturday March 27, at Cajun Field.
Spring Football Practice Schedule
Wednesday, March 3 - 3:30pm
Friday, March 5 - 2:15pm
Saturday, March 6 - 9:15am
Monday, March 8 - 3:30pm
Wednesday, March 10 - 3:30pm
Friday, March 12 - 2:45pm
Saturday, March 13 - 9:15am (Scrimmage #1)
Monday, March 15 - 3:30pm
Tuesday, March 16 - 8:30am (Pro Day)
Wednesday, March 17 - 3:30pm
Friday, March 19 - 2:45pm
Saturday, March 20 - 9:15am (Scrimmage #2)
Monday, March 22 - 3:30pm
Wednesday, March 24 - 3:30pm
Friday, March 26 - 2:45pm
Saturday, March 27 - 12:00pm (Annual Spring Game)
