University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Officially Reports For Fall Camp
8/1/2024 4:43:00 PM | Football
Michael Desormeaux Press ConferenceTim Leger Preseason Media AvailabilityJim Salgado Preseason Media AvailabilityMike Giuliani Preseason Media AvailabilityConnor Neighbors Preseason Media Availability2024 ScheduleBuy Season Tickets Here
Cajuns to hold first practice on Friday; Ossai, Perry named to national watch lists
LAFAYETTE – Head coach Michael Desormeaux welcomed back 54 returning letterwinners, including 19 starters, as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Football team officially reported for fall camp on Thursday.
The Ragin' Cajuns, who will officially open the 2024 campaign on August 31 against in-state opponent Grambling, went through team meetings and Media Day activities on Thursday and will hold their first official practice on Friday.
"For the first time in the last three years, we've got a veteran group with experience on both sides of the ball," Desormeaux said in his first preseason press conference. "The thing that we're most excited about is that we've had the best seven months (off-season) we've ever had leading up to this point.
"Starting in January, this year was about increased urgency. We talked about that in the spring and in our daily actions. Summer is about increased consistency and accountability. We know we're in position to have a really good season, but this next month of fall camp is critical."
With seven starters returning on offense, including four offensive linemen, Louisiana will look to veteran leaders to improve from 2023 when the Ragin' Cajuns finished as one of the top rushing teams in the Sun Belt Conference.
The Ragin' Cajuns bring back 10 starters on defense for first-year coordinator Jim Salgado, led by linebacker K.C. Ossai.
Season tickets for Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Football are available for purchase on-line at RaginCajuns.com/tickets or by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 482-GoUL (4685).
Fans who purchase season tickets for the 2024 season will receive priority for seat selection at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium in 2025.
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 (@RaginCajunsFB) to stay up-to-date on Louisiana Football.
OSSAI, PERRY NAMED TO RESPECTIVE WATCH LISTS
Ossai and return specialist Zylan Perry each picked up preseason honors on Thursday with their selection to a pair of national watch lists.
Ossai, a second-team Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection, was one of a record 111 nominees from college football's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) named to the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list.
The leader on the Ragin' Cajuns defensive unit, Ossai played in all 13 games while starting in 12 for the Ragin' Cajuns. Ossai, an honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference pick in 2023, finished as the team leader with 95 total tackles with 4.5 tackles for a loss. The senior capped off the 2023 season with a career high 18 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss against Jacksonville State in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
Perry, a first-team preseason All-SBC pick as a return specialist, was selected to the watch list for the 2024 Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse.
The Franklin, Louisiana, native finished the season as the FBS leader in kick return yards (862) and appeared in all 13 games for the Ragin' Cajuns. Perry also finished among the SBC leaders with 1,100 all-purpose yards (213 rushing, 25 receiving, 862 kick returns).
The Ragin' Cajuns, who will officially open the 2024 campaign on August 31 against in-state opponent Grambling, went through team meetings and Media Day activities on Thursday and will hold their first official practice on Friday.
"For the first time in the last three years, we've got a veteran group with experience on both sides of the ball," Desormeaux said in his first preseason press conference. "The thing that we're most excited about is that we've had the best seven months (off-season) we've ever had leading up to this point.
"Starting in January, this year was about increased urgency. We talked about that in the spring and in our daily actions. Summer is about increased consistency and accountability. We know we're in position to have a really good season, but this next month of fall camp is critical."
With seven starters returning on offense, including four offensive linemen, Louisiana will look to veteran leaders to improve from 2023 when the Ragin' Cajuns finished as one of the top rushing teams in the Sun Belt Conference.
The Ragin' Cajuns bring back 10 starters on defense for first-year coordinator Jim Salgado, led by linebacker K.C. Ossai.
Season tickets for Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Football are available for purchase on-line at RaginCajuns.com/tickets or by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 482-GoUL (4685).
Fans who purchase season tickets for the 2024 season will receive priority for seat selection at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium in 2025.
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 (@RaginCajunsFB) to stay up-to-date on Louisiana Football.
OSSAI, PERRY NAMED TO RESPECTIVE WATCH LISTS
Ossai and return specialist Zylan Perry each picked up preseason honors on Thursday with their selection to a pair of national watch lists.
Ossai, a second-team Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection, was one of a record 111 nominees from college football's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) named to the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list.
The leader on the Ragin' Cajuns defensive unit, Ossai played in all 13 games while starting in 12 for the Ragin' Cajuns. Ossai, an honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference pick in 2023, finished as the team leader with 95 total tackles with 4.5 tackles for a loss. The senior capped off the 2023 season with a career high 18 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss against Jacksonville State in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
Perry, a first-team preseason All-SBC pick as a return specialist, was selected to the watch list for the 2024 Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse.
The Franklin, Louisiana, native finished the season as the FBS leader in kick return yards (862) and appeared in all 13 games for the Ragin' Cajuns. Perry also finished among the SBC leaders with 1,100 all-purpose yards (213 rushing, 25 receiving, 862 kick returns).
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