University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Football
Burkhalter, PJ
PJ Burkhalter
- Title:
- Assistant Coach/Assistant OL
Louisiana native P.J. Burkhalter joined the Ragin' Cajuns coaching staff in 2025 where he serves as Assistant Offensive Line coach. Burkhalter, a native of Franklinton, spent the previous two seasons as offensive line coach at his alma mater, Nicholls.
In his first season on staff, Nicholls had two All-Southland First Team offensive linemen under Burkhalter, including Mark Barthelemy, who was named the Southland Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year. Center Evan Roussel was also an all-league selection for the championship Colonels as the duo paved the way for two first-team running backs -- Jaylon Spears and Collin Guggenheim.
For the 2024 season, Rousell gave Burkhalter his second straight Southland Offensive Lineman of the Year in addition to being named to three All-American squads.
Burkhalter had one of the most decorated careers in Colonel football program history, garnering numerous All-American and player of the year awards in his five seasons as an offensive lineman. In addition to being named Southland Conference Lineman of the Year three times, Burkhalter received a total of 16 All-American honors in his final three campaigns. He was a three-time All-Southland First Team selection and was also regarded as one of the top players in the state, earning All-Louisiana honors three times.
In his final season at Nicholls, Burkhalter cleared the way for the No. 6 rushing offense in the nation which featured a combined 14 100-yard rushing performances by four different players. The line also ranked first in the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed and was sixth in sacks allowed.
For the spring of 2021 season, Burkhalter blocked for one of the top offenses in the FCS, which ranked first in scoring (48.7 ppg) and third in rushing offense (263.4 ypg). The Colonels featured two of the top 5 rushers in the Southland in Lindsey Scott Jr. and Julien Gums. Burkhalter later became the first player in league history to earn a second Offensive Lineman of the Year.
In the Colonels' championship seasons in 2018 and '19, Burkhalter started all 14 games in '19, seeing time at center and guard. The rushing attack averaged nearly 200 yards per game which was 25th in the FCS. That season, Gums set the school record in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns for a single season. Then in '18, the offense had another dynamic season, ranking 28th with over 32 points per game.
Burkahlter is a 2020 graduate of Nicholls.
In his first season on staff, Nicholls had two All-Southland First Team offensive linemen under Burkhalter, including Mark Barthelemy, who was named the Southland Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year. Center Evan Roussel was also an all-league selection for the championship Colonels as the duo paved the way for two first-team running backs -- Jaylon Spears and Collin Guggenheim.
For the 2024 season, Rousell gave Burkhalter his second straight Southland Offensive Lineman of the Year in addition to being named to three All-American squads.
Burkhalter had one of the most decorated careers in Colonel football program history, garnering numerous All-American and player of the year awards in his five seasons as an offensive lineman. In addition to being named Southland Conference Lineman of the Year three times, Burkhalter received a total of 16 All-American honors in his final three campaigns. He was a three-time All-Southland First Team selection and was also regarded as one of the top players in the state, earning All-Louisiana honors three times.
In his final season at Nicholls, Burkhalter cleared the way for the No. 6 rushing offense in the nation which featured a combined 14 100-yard rushing performances by four different players. The line also ranked first in the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed and was sixth in sacks allowed.
For the spring of 2021 season, Burkhalter blocked for one of the top offenses in the FCS, which ranked first in scoring (48.7 ppg) and third in rushing offense (263.4 ypg). The Colonels featured two of the top 5 rushers in the Southland in Lindsey Scott Jr. and Julien Gums. Burkhalter later became the first player in league history to earn a second Offensive Lineman of the Year.
In the Colonels' championship seasons in 2018 and '19, Burkhalter started all 14 games in '19, seeing time at center and guard. The rushing attack averaged nearly 200 yards per game which was 25th in the FCS. That season, Gums set the school record in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns for a single season. Then in '18, the offense had another dynamic season, ranking 28th with over 32 points per game.
Burkahlter is a 2020 graduate of Nicholls.
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