Louisiana Places Nine on Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Teams

LAFAYETTE – Headlined by First Team selections O'Cyrus Torrence, Bralen Trahan, Rhys Byrns and Chris Smith, Louisiana Football placed nine on the Sun Belt's Preseason All-Conference Teams, the league office announced on Tuesday afternoon.

The Ragin' Cajuns were also picked to win the West Division for the third consecutive season under head coach Billy Napier after receiving 49 total points and nine first-place votes in the league's Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Levi Lewis, Max Mitchell, Zi'Yon Hill, Lorenzo McCaskill and Eric Garror represent the program as Second Team selections.

Torrence started in all 11 of Louisiana's games in 2020 and was an impactful member of the program's offensive line unit that ranked fifth nationally and first in the Sun Belt in tackles-for-loss allowed (3.64) and seventh nationally and first in the league in sacks allowed (0.82).

The line opened up the Ragin' Cajuns' rushing attack, which ranked 21st in the nation with 213 yards per game. As a result of his play, Torrence was named Second Team All-Conference following the season.

Trahan was a standout performer on the Ragin' Cajuns' defense a season ago, leading the team in passes defended (13), pass breakups (9) and interceptions (4), while ranking fourth on the team with 48 total tackles. In addition, his four interceptions were the most in a single season by a Ragin' Cajun since Sean Thomas did so in 2013.

The Lafayette native earned Second Team All-Sun Belt honors and was named a Third Team All-American by Pro Football Focus at the conclusion of the year.

Byrns earned a First Team nod after continuing his stellar collegiate career in 2020. The Melbourne, Australia, native totaled 36 punts for 1,567 yards and sent four balls over 50 yards.

In the season-opening victory over Iowa State, Byrns punted five times for 210 yards. Following the game, he was named Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week.

Smith had impactful roles on special teams and in the run game last season, boasting 23 kick returns for 617 yards and two touchdowns. The yardage total led the Sun Belt and ranked fourth nationally.

Out of the backfield, Smith carried the ball 62 times for 359 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, he recorded 16 receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown. In total, Smith finished the year with 1,137 all-purpose yards, ranking 30th nationally.

Lewis was dynamic during his senior campaign, ranking 26th in the country with 2,274 yards and 20th nationally with 19 touchdowns.

The Baton Rouge native will enter the 2021 season chasing history, currently ranking second in program history with 54 career passing touchdowns and third in program history with 6,286 career passing yards. Both records are currently held by Ragin' Cajun great Jake Delhomme.

Playing alongside Torrence, Mitchell started in 10 games at tackle in 2020. Led by the dominant duo, the offensive line unit was named a Joe Moore Award Semifinalist at the conclusion of the year. Mitchell earned individual recognition as a Second Team All-Conference selection.

On the defensive line, Hill returns a unit-leading 49 tackles along with 5.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. He was an All-Sun Belt Second Team selection and a Pro Football Focus All-American Honorable Mention a season ago.

McCaskill enters the season following an exceptional redshirt junior season in which he led the team with 83 total tackles and tied for third with 2.0 sacks. His tackles mark ranked seventh in the Sun Belt and tied him for 42nd nationally. Following the season, he was selected to the All-Sun Belt Third Team.

Garror totaled three interceptions during the 2020 season, tied for the second most on the team, and added 23 tackles and three breakups. He was also the team's primary punt returner, taking back 20 punts for 156 yard and a score.

Louisiana Football opens the 2021 season and the fourth year of the Napier era on Saturday, Sept. 4, at Texas. Kickoff in Austin is slated for 3:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast nationally on FOX.

In total, six Ragin' Cajuns games, four of which will be played at Cajun Field, have been selected for national broadcasts during the 2021 season. To view the team's complete schedule, click here.

Fans are encouraged to secure tickets now, which includes six games at Cajun Field. More information can be obtained by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at the CAJUNDOME, (337) 265-2170, or by visiting the office in-person.

The Ragin' Cajuns Athletic Foundation is excited to announce reduced tailgating prices for the 2021 season. For more information on securing a tailgate or RV spot, call the RCAF office at (337) 851-7223 or email RCAF@louisiana.edu.

Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@RaginCajunsFB) to stay up-to-date on Louisiana Football.

Louisiana Places Nine on Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Teams

Players Mentioned

Rhys Byrns

Eric Garror

Zi'Yon Hill-Green

Levi Lewis

Lorenzo McCaskill

Max Mitchell

Chris Smith

O'Cyrus Torrence

Bralen Trahan

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