Louisiana Golf Announces 2025 Signing Class

LAFAYETTE – Head coach Theo Sliman announced on Thursday the signing of four individuals who will compete for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Golf team beginning with the 2025-26 season.

Officially signing with the Cajuns are in-state products Ben Blanco (Lafayette, La.), James Holtsclaw (Shreveport, La.) and Drew Sliman (Lafayette, La.) along with international product Nathan Schuldt (Pretoria, South Africa).

"We are very proud and excited to announce the additions to of our 2025 class," said Sliman. "All four of these young players exemplify exactly what we seek in student athletes … hard workers who are gritty competitors.

"Each of these additions are unique, however, all of them have a common ground and that is winning at a high level. I look forward to guiding them and mentoring each of them throughout their college careers and beyond. It is a great day to be a Ragin' Cajun."

Blanco, a three-time All-State selection at Youngsville's Ascension Episcopal School, claimed the 2021 LJGT Tour Championship and was a USGA United States Junior Amateur participant.

"I am unbelievably excited to join this team and equally excited to see how much we can grow and achieve," said Blanco.

Blanco finished fifth overall at the 2024 LHSAA State Division II Golf Championships at Farm d'Allie and helped lead the Gators to their sixth consecutive state title. He earned a fifth-place finish at the AJGA Alexandria Preview, was seventh in the Ochsner Health AJGA New Orleans Classic and 10^th at the AllState Sugar Bowl Tommy Moore Memorial.

Holtsclaw, the latest in a line of golfers from Shreveport's C.E. Byrd to sign with the Ragin' Cajuns, was the No. 1-ranked junior golfer for the Class of 2025. Ranked No. 56 in the current Rolex AJGA rankings, Holtsclaw claimed the 2024 AJGA Lake Charles Junior Championship and runner-up at both the Gator Invitational and AllState Sugar Bowl Tommy Moore Memorial.

"I am beyond excited to be a Ragin Cajun and can't wait to get down to Lafayette," Holtsclaw said. "Our (signing) class is going to do some big things together."

A third-generation member of the Ragin' Cajuns Golf program, Drew Sliman joins his father and current head coach, along with his grandfather and former head coach Teddy Sliman as members of the Louisiana Golf program.

The Lafayette High product, who finished fifth overall at the 2024 Ochsner Health LHSAA State Division I Golf Championships, claimed titles at both the 2024 STPGA Lake Charles Spring Classic and the Louisiana Junior Amateur. The USGA United States Junior participant earned exemptions into both the 2024 Bluebonnet Championship and 2024 Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship with his win in Lake Charles.

"Having grown up around this program all my life," Drew Sliman said, "I knew from the beginning that being part of Ragin' Cajun athletics would be special, and ultimately, having the opportunity to play for my dad would make it even more meaningful. I am extremely eager to work hard, adding to the effort and passion for this University that has been instilled in me from a young age."

Schuldt, a native of Pretoria, South Africa, ranked as a top-15 player on the South African U-19 circuit. The St. Albans College product claimed the Bushveld Series after posting a 6-under-par 66 and was a member of the Gauteng North Inter-Provincial Team.

"The reason I chose the University of Louisiana is because I have had a really good experience with the Coaching staff, and I feel that the culture at Louisiana aligns with mine," Schuldt said. "I can't wait to get started and help the team win championships."

Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.

Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@RaginCajunsGolf) or check RaginCajuns.com for Louisiana golf updates.

LOUISIANA RAGIN' CAJUNS GOLF 2025 SIGNING CLASS
Ben Blanco – Lafayette, La. (Ascension Episcopal School)
James Holtsclaw – Shreveport, La. (C.E. Byrd HS)
Drew Sliman – Lafayette, La. (Lafayette HS)
Nathan Schuldt – Pretoria, South Africa (St. Albans College)

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics

Louisiana Golf Announces 2025 Signing Class

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