2023 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team

The 2023 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team represents the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Ragin' Cajuns play their home games at Cajun Field in Lafayette, Louisiana, and competed in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference. They are led by second-year head coach Michael Desormeaux.

2023 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football
ConferenceSun Belt Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record4–3 (1–2 Sun Belt)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorTim Leger (3rd season)
Defensive coordinatorLaMar Morgan (2nd season)
Home stadiumCajun Field
(capacity: 41,426)
2023 Sun Belt Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 25 James Madison*  4 0   7 0  
Georgia State  3 1   6 1  
Old Dominion  3 1   4 3  
Georgia Southern  2 1   5 2  
Coastal Carolina  2 2   4 3  
Marshall  1 2   4 3  
Appalachian State  1 2   3 4  
West Division
Texas State  2 1   5 2  
Troy  2 1   5 2  
South Alabama  2 1   4 3  
Louisiana  1 2   4 3  
Arkansas State  1 2   3 4  
Louisiana–Monroe  0 4   2 5  
Southern Miss  0 4   1 6  
Championship: December 2, 2023
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
  • * – Ineligible for postseason play due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules
As of October 23, 2023
Rankings from AP Poll

Preseason

Recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40 Commit date
Antoine Baylis
DL
Mansfield, Texas Lake Ridge HS
Southwest Baptist
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 285 lb (129 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
John Bragg
OL
Austin, Texas Lyndon B. Johnson HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 265 lb (120 kg) Dec 14, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
Harvey Broussard
WR
St. Martinville, Louisiana St. Martinville HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Dec 21, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Matthew Broussard
OL
Thibodaux, Louisiana E. D. White HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 285 lb (129 kg) Jun 17, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
Glenn Brown
DB
LaPlace, Louisiana St. James HS
Southern
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 190 lb (86 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Xzavier Brown
OL
Ashdown, Arkansas Ashdown HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 305 lb (138 kg) Dec 21, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:3/5 stars
Mason Clinton
DL
Petal, Mississippi Petal MS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 270 lb (120 kg) Dec 21, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Zavion Coleman
DL
Picayune, Mississippi Picayune HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 270 lb (120 kg) Dec 21, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Elijah Davis
RB
Reserve, Louisiana Riverside Academy 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Jun 12, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Chase Edwards
DL
Houston, Texas Cypress Falls HS 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 250 lb (110 kg) Dec 21, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
Trey Fite
LB
Tatum, Texas Tatum HS
SMU
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Dec 21, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Cooper Fordham
OL
Jacksonville, Florida The Bolles School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 300 lb (140 kg) Aug 23, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Jay'veon Haynes
WR
Baton Rouge, Louisiana Woodlawn HS 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Mar 29, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Kody Jackson
S
Shreveport, Louisiana Evangel Christian Academy 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Dec 21, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
AJ Jayroe
WR
Frisco, Texas Reedy HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Dec 19, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Caden Jensen
TE
Flower Mound, Texas Flower Mound HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 250 lb (110 kg) Aug 1, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Micah Johnson
LB
Baton Rouge, Louisiana Parkview Baptist HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Dec 21, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
Jaylen Lawrence
OLB
Arcadia, Louisiana Arcadia HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Aug 2, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Kadarius Miller
DE
Magnolia, Mississippi South Pike HS
Copiah–Lincoln CC
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 300 lb (140 kg) Dec 18, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars
Jeremiah Moses
CB
Shreveport, Louisiana Belle Chasse HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Aug 1, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
Shadwel Nkuba II
CB
Lewisville, Texas Lewisville HS
Tyler JC
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) May 25, 2023 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports:3/5 stars
Daylon Sibley
LB
Lake Charles, Louisiana Lake Charles College Prep HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Dec 21, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Tavion Smith
WR
Hattiesburg, Mississippi Oak Grove HS
Jones College
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Nov 14, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:2/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Emiliano Soldevilla
LB
Houston, Texas Cypress Ridge HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Feb 1, 2023 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Ty Stamey
TE
Spring, Texas Klein Collins HS 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Aug 1, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
KeDarius Wade
WR
Jackson, Mississippi Callaway HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Dec 21, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Lance Williams
DL
New Orleans, Louisiana Holy Cross School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 250 lb (110 kg) Aug 5, 2022 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
D'Wayne' Winfield
QB
Lutcher, Louisiana Lutcher HS 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Feb 1, 2023 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A

Source:[1][2]

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

Preseason

Award Player Position Year Reference
Warrick Dunn Award D'Wayne' Winfield QB FR [3]
Outland Trophy AJ Gillie OL RS-JR [4]
Lou Groza Award Kenneth Almendares K RS-JR [5]
Wuerffel Trophy Ben Wooldridge QB RS-SR [6]
Mackey Award Neal Johnson TE SR [7]
Ray Guy Award Thomas Leo K/P RS-SR [8]
Doak Walker Award Dre'lyn Washington RB RS-SO [9]
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Neal Johnson TE SR [10]

Media poll

In the Sun Belt preseason coaches' poll, the Ragin' Cajuns were picked to finish in third place in the West division.[11]

Media poll (West division)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1Troy92 (10)
2South Alabama85 (4)
3Louisiana64
4Southern Miss62
5Texas State36
6Arkansas State33
7ULM20

Tight end Neal Johnson was named to the preseason All-Sun Belt first team. Offensive lineman AJ Gillie was named to the second team.[11]

Personnel

2023 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
RB 0 Jacob Kibodi  Sr
QB 2 Zeon Chriss  Fr
WR 3 Harvey Broussard Fr
WR 4 Jacob Bernard  Jr
WR 6 Kaleb Carter  Sr
RB 7 Elijah Davis Fr
RB 8 Terrence Williams Jr
TE 9 Neal Johnson Sr
QB 10 Ben Wooldridge  Sr
WR 11 Dalen Cambre  Jr
WR 12 Lance LeGendre  Jr
WR 13 Charles Robertson  Fr
WR 15 Robert Williams  So
QB 16 Chantz Ceaser Fr
QB 17 D'Wayné Winfield Williams Fr
QB 18 Chandler Fields  Jr
WR 19 Dale Martin  So
RB 20 Dre'Lyn Washington  So
RB 21 Zylan Perry  Fr
RB 22 Chaz Ward  Jr
TE 24 Pearse Migl  Sr
TE 26 Caleb Bonine  So
RB 27 Kendrell Williams  So
WR 28 KeDarius Wade Fr
WR 29 Peter LeBlanc Sr
WR 30 Trayv'on Culbert  So
RB 31 Damondrick Blackburn Fr
WR 33 Landon Baptiste Fr
WR 34 Kanyon St. Julien  Jr
RB 41 Tylon Citizen Fr
TE 43 Ty Stamey Fr
OL 50 Nathan Thomas  Jr
OL 51 James Ohonba  Sr
OL 52 Cooper Fordham Fr
OL 53 AJ Gillie  Jr
OL 55 Landon Burton  Jr
OL 59 Andrew Martinez Fr
OL 61 Zachary Thomas Fr
OL 62 Ethan Clark  Fr
OL 63 Ryan Ebrahim  So
OL 64 Bryant Williams Fr
OL 65 Xzavier Brown Fr
OL 66 Trent Murphy  Fr
OL 67 John Bragg Fr
OL 68 Nick Doré  Fr
OL 70 Jax Harrington  So
OL 71 George Jackson  So
OL 72 Kole Hayes Fr
OL 73 Lucious Guillory Fr
OL 74 Peyton Polk Fr
OL 75 Kaden Moreau  Fr
OL 76 Matthew Broussard Fr
OL 77 King McGowen  Jr
OL 78 Quinton Williams  So
OL 79 Mackey Maillho  So
WR 80 Tavion Smith Jr
WR 81 Jaydon Jackson  Fr
TE 82 Rhett Guidry  So
TE 84 Jathan Caldwell  So
WR 85 AJ Jayroe Fr
TE 86 Terrance Carter  Fr
TE 87 Tyler Hatcher  So
TE 88 Caden Jensen Fr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DL 0 Jordan Lawson  So
LB 2 Jasper Williams Sr
S 3 Tyrone Lewis Jr.  Jr
S 4 Tyree Skipper  So
LB 6 Kendre' Gant  Jr
CB 7 Courtline Flowers  So
LB 8 K. C. Ossai Jr
DL 9 Mason Narcisse Jr
DL 10 Nijel McGriff  Jr
CB 11 Caleb Anderson  So
CB 13 Amir McDaniel  Jr
OLB 15 Ja'Marian Peterson  So
LB 16 Kailep Edwards So
LB 17 Cameron George  So
S 18 Micaiah Bivines Jr
LB 19 Cameron Whitfield  So
CB 20 Jalen Clark  So
CB 21 Keyon Martin  Jr
S 22 Patrick Mensah  Sr
CB 23 Jeremiah Moses Fr
CB 24 Lorenzell Dubose  Fr
CB 25 Glenn Brown  Sr
CB 26 Justin Agu  So
CB 27 Key'Savalyn Barnes  So
S 28 Kody Jackson Fr
CB 29 Denim Day  Fr
S 30 Cejae Ceasar  So
LB 31 Trey Fite  Fr
LB 33 Tyler Guidry Sr
CB 34 Calep Jacob  Fr
CB 35 Collin Jacob  Fr
S 36 Maurion Eleam  Fr
LB 37 Micah Johnson Fr
S 37 Bryant Merriwether Fr
CB 38 Shadwel Nkuba II  So
DL 41 Chase Edwards Fr
S 43 Aaron Wright  So
LB 44 Jake St. Andre  So
LB 45 Caleb Kibodi  So
S 46 Larry Reimonenq  So
LB 46 Emiliano Soldevilla Fr
S 47 Kerry Wilson  Fr
LB 48 Daylon Sibley Fr
S 49 Travin Moore Fr
DT 50 Jace Philip Fr
LB 51 Hayden Darbonne Fr
DL 52 Demetrus Gladney  Fr
DL 53 Christopher Scott  Fr
DE 54 KJ Riley III Fr
DL 56 Joshua Robinson  Fr
OLB 80 Lester Jones Fr
OLB 81 Jaden Allison Fr
OLB 82 Makai Donaldson Fr
DL 90 Kadarius Miller Jr
DL 91 Sonny Hazard Jr
DL 92 Zavion Coleman Fr
DL 93 Antoine Baylis Jr
DL 95 Blake Champagne  So
DL 96 RJ Oliver  So
DL 97 Lance Williams Fr
DL 98 Mason Clinton Fr
DL 99 Marcus Wiser Jr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K 36 Gavin Royer  Fr
LS 39 Carter Milliron So
K 40 Logan Klotz  So
LS 40 Hunter Sims  So
K 45 Kenneth Almendares  Jr
K 47 Alan Guerrieri  Jr
K/P 84 Thomas Leo  Sr
K 95 Tony Sterner  So
K 98 Brock Froschauer Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster
Last update: 28 August 2023

Schedule

The football schedule was announced February 24, 2023.[12]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 26:30 p.m.Northwestern State*ESPN+W 38–1318,186
September 95:00 p.m.at Old DominionESPN+L 31–3818,154
September 166:00 p.m.at UAB*ESPN+W 41–2121,673
September 236:30 p.m.Buffalo*
  • Cajun Field
  • Lafayette, LA
ESPN+W 45–3817,674
September 3011:00 a.m.at Minnesota*BTNL 24–3546,843
October 72:30 p.m.Texas State
  • Cajun Field
  • Lafayette, LA
ESPNUW 34–3015,053
October 217:00 p.m.Georgia Statedagger
  • Cajun Field
  • Lafayette, LA
ESPNUL 17–2020,044
October 284:00 p.m.at South AlabamaESPN+
November 42:00 p.m.at Arkansas StateESPN+
November 96:30 p.m.Southern Miss
  • Cajun Field
  • Lafayette, LA
ESPNU
November 18at Troy
November 25Louisiana-Monroe

References

  1. Roberts, Evan (December 21, 2022). "2023 Football National Signing Day". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  2. Roberts, Evans (February 1, 2023). "Louisiana Adds Four to Class of 2023". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  3. Roberts, Evan (February 7, 2023). "Ragin' Cajuns Signee Winfield Wins Warrick Dunn Award". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  4. Roberts, Evan (August 1, 2023). "Gillie Named to Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  5. Roberts, Evan (August 2, 2023). "Almendares Garners Lou Groza Award Watch List Honors". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  6. Roberts, Evan (August 3, 2023). "Wooldridge Named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  7. Roberts, Evan (August 4, 2023). "Johnson Named to Mackey Award Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  8. Roberts, Evan (August 8, 2023). "Leo Garners Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List Honor". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  9. Roberts, Evan (August 9, 2023). "Washington Earns Doak Walker Award Preseason Nod". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  10. Roberts, Evan (August 17, 2023). "Johnson Named to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List". Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  11. "Sun Belt Announces Football Preseason Awards & Poll". sunbeltsports.org. July 24, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  12. "2023 Louisiana Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
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