Projecting Louisiana football's depth chart ahead of opener vs. Southeastern Louisiana
LAFAYETTE – Who would start at quarterback consumed the headlines for Louisiana entering Michael Desormeaux’s first season as coach of his alma mater in 2022.
But there were several other key holes to fill for the Ragin’ Cajuns coaching staff before they kicked off the season against Southeastern Louisiana at 6 p.m. Saturday at Cajun Field.
Over the course of preseason practice, UL’s two-deep began to take shape and Desormeaux will release the team’s depth chart for the first time this year Wednesday following the team’s practice. Here’s what the Cajuns’ depth chart could look like before opening 2022 this weekend:
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Quarterback
Starter: Chandler Fields, So.
Reserves: Ben Wooldridge, Jr.; Lance Legendre, Soph.; Zeon Chriss, Fr.; Zy McDonald, Fr.; Hunter Herring, Fr.
Outlook: After a lengthy, contested battle, Fields emerged from the competition as Louisiana’s starter. The sophomore has the best arm talent on the team and won the offensive coaches over with his creativity and confidence in his reads.
Running back
Starter: Chris Smith, Jr.
Reserves: Terrence Williams, So..; Jacob Kibodi, Jr.; Zylan Perry, Fr.; Dre’Lyn Washington, Fr.
Outlook: Who would back up Smith has been another position battle of notoriety. Williams appears to be in line to spell Smith when he comes out of the game first, but Kibodi should see snaps as well. Smith will be asked to carry the position with exclusively young, inexperienced depth entering 2022.
Wide receiver
Starters: Michael Jefferson, Sr.; Peter LeBlanc, Jr.; Jacob Bernard, So.
Reserves: Errol Rogers, Jr., So.; John Stephens, Jr., Sr.; Dalen Cambre, Soph.; Kaleb Carter, Jr.; Dontae Fleming, So.
Outlook: Louisiana is stacked with talented at receiver, headlined by Jefferson and LeBlanc. At the slot, Bernard has had a solid preseason and projects to start inside. With their position coach also the offensive coordinator in Tim Leger, expect UL to play plenty of receivers this year.
Tight end
Starters: Johnny Lumpkin, Sr.; Neal Johnson, Jr.
Reserves: Pearse Migl, Jr. Damani Burrell, Jr.
Outlook: Tight end should be a big focal point offensively for Louisiana this season. Talent is there in starting pair Johnny Lumpkin and Neal Johnson. Behind them, however, is an unproven group.
Offensive line
Starters: Nathan Thomas, So.; A.J. Gillie, So.; David Hudson, Sr.; George Jackson, Fr.; Carlos Rubio, Jr.
Reserves: James Ohonba, Jr.; Landon Burton, So.; Zach Boulet, Fr.; Treny Murphy, Fr.; Jax Harrington, Fr.; Colby Hebert, Soph.; Kaden Moreau, Fr.; Quinton Williams, So.; Mackey Maillho
Outlook: Four of the offensive line positions had to be filled this offseason and offensive line coach Jeff Norrid looks to have done a bang-up job piecing UL’s line together. The combination of Thomas, Gillie, Hudson, Jackson and Rubio have looked great together during practice. Landon Burton will be one to watch on the interior if he can come back from injury and get in shape quickly.
Defensive line
Starters: Zi’Yon Hill-Green, Sr.; Andre Jones, Sr.; Ja-Quane Nelson, Sr.
Reserves: Kendall Wilkerson, So.; Mason Narcisse, Soph.; Dalvin Hutchinson, Jr.; Sonny Hazard, So.; Nijel McGriff, So., Andre Landry, Sr.
Outlook: The Cajuns were set along the defensive front with several experienced players, headlined by Jones and Hill-Green, coming back. Preseason practice uncovered how much quality depth UL has at the position with flashes from Wilkerson, Narcisse and a few others.
Linebacker
Starters: Kris Moncrief, Sr.; Jourdan Quibodeaux, Sr.; Jasper Williams, Jr.
Reserves: A.J. Riley, Jr.; K.C. Ossai, So.; Tyler Guidry, Jr.; Kailep Edwards, Fr.; Camerson Whitfield, Fr.
Outlook: Moncrief and Quibodeaux will help stave off any drop off in the linebacker corps after Louisiana lost its top two from a season ago. Moncrief and Quibodeaux have played in plenty of games while Williams has grown into a starter-caliber player himself.
Defensive back
Starters: Eric Garror, Sr.; Trey Amos, Jr.; Bralen Trahan, Sr. Kam Pedescleaux, Jr.; Brandon Bishop, Jr.
Reserves: Keyon Martin, So.; Tyrone Lewis, Jr.; Soph.; Patrick Mensah, Jr.; Amir McDaniel, So.; Justin Agu, Fr.; Courtline Flowers, So.; Tyree Skipper, Fr.
Outlook: Garror is an All-American-type player. The emergence of Amos has been key for UL in the vacant cornerback spot opposite Garror. The Ragin’ Cajuns have plenty of experience at the safety position as well with Trahan being a returning starter while Pedescleaux and Bishop looking to take on starting jobs. Coaches have raved about the guys behind them as well.
Special teams
Starters: Rhys Byrns, Sr. - punter; Carter Milliron, Fr. - longsnapper; Preston Stafford, Jr. - kicker
Reserves: Kenneth Almendares, So.; Logan Klotz, Fr.; Hunter Sims, Fr.; James Segrest, So.; Thomas Leo, Jr.
Outlook: Byrns, an Australian punter who Desormeaux has repeatedly described as a “weapon,” is an All-American-caliber punter. At kicker, it’s likely Stafford and Almendares split kicking duties for the first couple of games. Long snapper has been close as well between all three, Milliron, Sims and Segrest.
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU/UL athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: What Louisiana football's depth chart could look like vs. SE Louisiana
