The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns are starting their spring practices on Tuesday and there are several things that the fans of the program need to keep an eye on. From new offensive coordinator to who will be the quarterback, the Ragin Cajuns have a lot to deal with right now.
As we begin spring practices, let’s look at three things that Cajuns fans need to watch for in spring practice.
Is Will Hall’s System Any Different?
Looking at the offense for the Ragin Cajuns, it has left a lot to be desired since the departure of Terrence Broadway. A two QB system left them handcuffed in 2015 and Anthony Jennings didn’t do a whole lot for this team during his time wearing the vermillion and white. Some of that can be placed on head coach Mark Hudspeth, but not all of it. Losing Jay Johnson last season and switching over to Jorge Munoz as the OC didn’t help matters last season.
The big thing for Hall is if this will actually be any different compared to what has been done over the last few seasons. There is an answer to that and according to Hudspeth, it’s extremely different.
“When Will came in, it took us about six to seven weeks to teach the coaches the new system.” Hudspeth said of his former QB’s new system. “This is totally different concepts, totally different teaching, the way we’re teach different routes, progressions, fundamentals. It’s exciting; as a coach you’re always learning and evolving. A fresh start is really good sometimes. So, I think this has been really good not only for the players but for the coaches.”
Based off of this answer, you can presume that Hudspeth is really letting someone like Hall have the ability to change how his system works. The Cajuns head coach also stated that this system is designed to fit around the talent that he has on offense instead of a default style that basically tries fits a square peg in a round hole. Hearing that made me think back to the defensive schemes of Melvin Smith and was refreshed to hear that at least something will change.
Who Are the Defensive Leaders?
Looking at the 2017 class there are several players that could be the leader of defense. Hudspeth touched on the likes of Taboris Lee, Travis Crawford, and Tracy Walker. These are the usual suspects for this team to be the leaders as they have been around the program for quite some time and have made an impact. However, there is one player that might surprise you; T.J. Posey.
“Posey has shown some great leadership.” Hudspeth said of the junior. “He’s always been a bell cow on special teams. I see him now competing more on the defensive side. He’s really grabbed the bull by the horns.”
If these are the guys that the Cajuns need to look toward defensively, they are in good hands because of the experience they have and the lessons they’ve learned from past players.
Is Jordan Davis Ready?
The Cajuns biggest issue the last two seasons is replacing Broadway. The last two years, it’s been a mixed bag and perhaps what happened last season with Anthony Jennings transferring across the basin was the best thing that could have happened to Davis.
Davis came into his sophomore season with a lot of hype that carried over after he came in during the last few games of the 2015 season and showed flashes of being a suitable QB. However, poor practices and a less than ideal performance in the spring game wound up causing Hudspeth to work over time to get a transfer QB to come over.
One of the biggest things that a quarterback needs is maturity and according to Hud, Davis has become way more mature.
“I think he’s a guy that can lead our team. This winter offseason was totally different than last winter offseason. Maybe it’s because he’s a year older, a year more mature and as we all know maturity really changes a person. I’m really hoping that he has a great spring. I think this new offense will be a breath of fresh air for him sort of a new start. He’s playing at a high level, but a thing I’ve noticed more than anything is the leadership part. That’s what you got to have.”
One of the biggest things that the Cajuns need to have decided is the position of quarterback, preferably by the time fall camp gets started. This can’t be another decide in August situation for the Cajuns and the guy needs to be ready to go before that point of the season.
This year is big for Hudspeth after falling short of the mark that he had set in each of his first four years. If the Cajuns fall short of the mark with all the hype that he is pumping into the program with a new OC, the “deepest WR corp we’ve ever had”, and a new offensive system there could be a change at the top.