Takeaways from Louisiana football Vermilion & White game: Zeon Chriss, defense better in 2023?

Spring football practice for Louisiana football reached its climactic conclusion Thursday night.

The Ragin' Cajuns held their annual Vermilion & White Spring Game inside the Moncla Practice Facility after an afternoon of heavy rain forced the team inside.

Thanks to a few touchdowns from freshman quarterback Zeon Chriss, who played QB for both squads, along with an interception from safety Tyrone Lewis Jr., the Vermilion team won 68-33.

Here are some takeaway from UL's spring football game:

UL SPRING GAME WHAT TO WATCH What to watch for in Louisiana football Vermilion & White spring game

RAGIN' CAJUNS PRO DAY These players helped their 2023 NFL Draft stock at Louisiana football's Pro Day

ZEON CHRISS How Louisiana football freshman QB Zeon Chriss is making the most of spring practice

Louisiana football quarterback Zeon Chriss in better position after spring

For 15 practices this spring, Chriss was the only QB taking reps with other signal callers Ben Wooldridge and Chandler Fields missing the spring with injuries.

Coach Michael Desormeaux lauded Chriss' development and Chriss added after the spring game that he's in far better position to earn the starting job this fall than he was before spring thanks to the "fast forward" he hit with coverages and protections.

Chriss did throw a couple of interceptions during the scrimmage but he displayed his short memory, tossing TDs to Lance Legendre, Robert Williams walk-on Treyv'on Culbert or tight end Terrance Carter.

Biggest standouts for Ragin' Cajuns? Zylan Perry, Terrance Carter

Running back has been one of the hottest position battles this spring. Between Dre'Lyn Washington, who looked to be in RB1 spot tonight starting out the first-team offense, Jacob Kibodi, Zylan Perry and Terrence Williams, all four guys have game experience but have needed strong springs to emerge.

While the competition hasn’t been settled, Perry pieced together the best spring game performance, ripping off a couple of long runs. The freshman made guys miss in space and fell forward when hit. Perry said Thursday that he believes his decision-making and elusiveness should position him atop the depth chart.

Another guy who has carved out a major role for the Cajuns this upcoming season is Carter. The 6-2, 242-pounder brings some athleticism and size to a position that Chriss called crucial to this season's offense as most receivers are lacking in experience.

Could Louisiana's defense be better in 2023 than last season?

It's hard to image with Zi'yon Hill-Green, Andre Jones, Eric Garror, Bralen Trahan and Kris Moncrief being gone that this year's defense will be better. But after the spring game, the group makes a strong case.

Starters Jordan Lawson and Sonny Hazard were out along the defensive line and Jasper Williams missed the spring game as well. But the Cajuns' first string didn't miss much of a beat. Up front, guys like Nijel McGriff and Mason Narcisse were seen harassing Chriss. Linebacker Tyler Guidry picked off a pass that was tipped at the line.

On the backend, while guys like Courtline Flowers, Kam Pedescleaux and Lewis have been shuffled around, there was little room to throw. Amir McDaniel closed his spring strong at cornerback while Desormeaux said other corner Trey Amos has had a tremendous 15 practices.

When UL's defense gets fully healthy, it will be a handful for teams to deal with.

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: Louisiana football held Vermilion & White game. Some takeaways