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Heading into the 2022 season, the skill position group of wide receiver and tight end was probably the deepest room on the team.
Michael Jefferson and John Stephens Jr were back to line up wide while Johnny Lumpkin was due for a big year at the tight end position.
Jefferson finished the year with 810 yards and seven touchdowns, leading the team in both. Lumpkin had four touchdowns on the season, but only 16 catches and 143 yards in limited production.
Now, that room looks to its veterans to step up in 2023.
Peter Leblanc
Leblanc is headed into his fifth season with Louisiana and is now the veteran leader in the room. After an incredible freshman season, he has battled some injuries and his production has slowed, with just 22 catches for 174 yards in 2022.
Pete will need to be “the guy” in 2023 and use his ability to fight off defenders to his advantage. He has great hands and can make plays downfield, but staying healthy and stepping up will be his two biggest marks in 2023.
Jacob Bernard
Bernard first showed what he could do for the Cajuns’ offense in the 2021 New Orleans Bowl when he caught a 42-yard pass from Levi Lewis to put the Cajuns in the red zone. He showed freakish athletic ability and the willingness to put his body on the line to make a play.
He followed that up with decent numbers in 2022, getting 191 yards on 11 catches with two touchdowns. Bernard can be the lightning spark that this offense needs in 2023 when he’s incorporated into the offense. I expect big things from JB this coming season.
Lance Legendre
Recruited out of high school as a quarterback, Legendre went to Maryland and struggled before transferring to Louisiana and transitioning to wide receiver in 2022.
He got very limited action last year at the wideout spot but started becoming a special talent toward the back half of the season. Now, Legendre will have the opportunity to use his great athleticism to make big plays for the Cajuns’ offense and allows them to bring in a true Wildcat package in 2023.
Neal Johnson
Johnson finished second on the team in receiving yards in 2022 with 296 yards on 25 catches and two touchdowns. Now, the Lake Charles native is the top tight end in the room and will look to build on those numbers from a year ago.
Johnson is a tall, strong-bodied tight end that truly plays more like a receiver and will be able to play that hybrid role and bully opposing defenders.
Others to Watch
Kaleb Carter is back for another year in the Louisiana program along with Pearse Migl, while there are plenty of newcomers including Harvey Broussard, Terrance Carter, Robert Williams, and Charles Robertson.
With plenty of young talent and a mix of veteran leadership, the Louisiana wide receiver and tight end room will be impressive over the next year or two.