University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Trio of Cajuns Named Preseason All-SBC
7/19/2010 4:47:00 PM | Football
Junior tight end Ladarius Green, senior linebacker Grant Fleming and senior punter Spencer Ortego were named to the team.
The league also released its preseason coaches poll and Louisiana was picked to finish fourth in the nine-team league while Middle Tennessee was tabbed as the league favorite.
Green, a mid-season addition to the Mackey Award Watch List and second team All-Sun Belt selection in 2009, ranked third in the Sun Belt in receiving yards per game and tallied the longest reception in the conference (91 yards from Brad McGuire vs. Troy).
Green made 18 receptions in five conference games, boasting 19.3 yards per catch and 69.4 yards per game. He erupted in the final two games, making seven catches for 131 yards vs. ULM and posting five grabs for 119 yards and two touchdowns vs. Troy.
Fleming was an honorable mention All-Sun Belt pick last season. The Lafayette native started all 12 games at strong side linebacker and placed second on team in total tackles (89) and eighth overall in the SBC.
Fleming ranked fifth in Sun Belt-only games in total tackles (68) and posted at least six in nine of the last 10 games, overall.
Ortego has been a valuable asset for Rickey Bustle's special teams throughout his career. Last season he helped UL lead the Sun Belt in net punting thanks to a 40.6 punting average and just a 1.9 yard per return average - one season after leading the Cajuns to a second place finish.
Ortego placed third in the SBC with 13 punts of 50-plus yards and had 15 punts inside the opponent 20-yard line and 15 fair catches. In three seasons as the Cajuns punter he has placed 39 punts inside the opponents' 20.
The Ragin' Cajuns report for preseason camp on Wednesday, Aug. 4. The first practice is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 5.
Preseason Sun Belt Coaches Poll
First Place Votes in Parenthesis
|
1. Middle Tennessee |
75 (5) |
|
2. Troy |
73 (3) |
|
3. Arkansas State |
53 |
|
4. Louisiana |
49 (1) |
|
5. Florida Atlantic |
45 |
|
6. FIU |
42 |
|
7. Louisiana-Monroe |
32 |
|
8. North Texas |
27 |
|
9. WKU |
9 |
Preseason All-Sun Belt Team
As voted on by the Sun Belt Head Coaches and Media Representatives
Offense
Dwight Dasher (MT, Sr., QB)
Alfred Morris (FAU, Jr., RB)
Lance Dunbar (NT, Jr., RB)
T.Y. Hilton (FIU, Jr., WR)
Jerrel Jernigan (Troy, Sr., WR)
Ladarius Green (ULL, Jr., TE)
Derek Newton (ASU, Sr., OL)
Brad Serirni (FIU, Sr., OL)
Mark Fisher (MT, Sr., OL)
Esteban Santiago (NT, Sr., OL)
Tyler Clark (Troy, Sr., OL)
Defense
Bryan Hall (ASU, Sr., DL)
Troy Evans (ULM, Jr., DL)
Jamari Lattimore (MT, Sr., DL)
Brandon Akpunku (NT, Jr., DL)
Demario Davis (ASU, Jr., LB)
Grant Fleming (ULL, Sr., LB)
Craig Robertson (NT, Sr., LB)
Tavious Polo (FAU, Sr., DB)
Anthony Gaitor (FIU, Sr., DB)
Jeremy Kellem (MT, Sr., DB)
Bryan Willis (Troy, So., DB)
Special Teams
Alan Gendreau (MT, Jr., Place Kicker)
Spencer Ortego (ULL, Sr., Punter)
T.Y. Hilton (FIU, Jr., Return Specialist)
Offensive Player of the Year
Dwight Dasher (MT, Sr., QB)
Defensive Player of the Year
Bryan Hall (ASU, Sr., DL)
-- Ragin' Cajuns --
