Louisiana has been to a bowl game eight consecutive years, but the Ragin’ Cajuns are looking for more entering this season.
That’s because last year Louisiana went 6-7 for the third time in four seasons. The Ragin’ Cajuns were 5-3 and tied for second in the Sun Belt West. The season ended with a 20-13 loss to Delaware in the 68 Ventures Bowl.
Once again, Louisiana is expected to be a contender to reach the Sun Belt championship game. The Ragin’ Cajuns were selected to finish second in the West behind defending division champ Troy in the preseason coaches poll.
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Louisiana Season Preview
Louisiana returns a veteran group from an offense that averaged 26 points per game, but the defense, which allowed 29 points per contest, only has two full-time starters returning. However, there were a few other players who made multiple starts.
Key Players To Replace
- Bill Davis, who rushed for a team-high 743 yards and six touchdowns, transferred to Virginia Tech.
- Zylan Perry has transferred to Cincinnati after rushing for 689 yards and eight scores.
- Offensive lineman Jax Harrington, who appeared in 53 career games with 47 starts for the Ragin’ Cajuns, had his eligibility expire.
- Linebacker Jaden Dugger, who led Louisiana with 125 tackles, was a fifth-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers.
- Fellow linebacker Terrence Williams, who was second on the team with 95 tackles, used up his eligibility.
- Also out of eligibility is defensive end Jordan Lawson, who led the team in tackles for loss (15) and sacks (five).
- Safety Tyree Skipper, who had 55 tackles, is also out of eligibility.
The Quarterback Situation
Lunch Winfield didn’t earn his first start until the sixth game of the season against James Madison, but he helped lead a late-season surge of four consecutive victories that enabled the Ragin’ Cajuns to become bowl-eligible.
Winfield completed 59% of his passes for 1,555 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 667 yards and nine scores. If he takes the next step, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Winfield could be among the top quarterbacks in the Sun Belt.
Key Returning Players
- Receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. had 32 receptions for 537 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games to lead the team in all three categories.
- Tight end Caden Jensen had 29 receptions for 231 yards and one touchdown.
- Fellow tight end Brock Chappell had 12 receptions for 108 yards and a score.
- Receiver Landon Strother recorded 10 catches for 78 yards but looks to have a greater role this season.
- Running back Steven Blanco, who rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns, looks to have an expanded role.
- Redshirt freshman Darrell Smith, who had three carries last season in four games, is another player looking to have a larger role.
- Cooper Fordham started at center in the first 11 games before suffering a season-ending injury against Arkansas State.
- George Jackson is a highly regarded offensive tackle who started the first four games in 2025 before suffering a season-ending injury.
- Another offensive tackle, Zay Alexander, returns after missing last year due to injury.
- Kaden Moreau started 11 games at left guard.
- Matthew Broussard started eight games at right guard.
- Andrew Martinez, who saw action at center and guard, was pressed into action late in the season due to injuries. He appeared in four games with two starts.
- Right guard Ryder Bentley appeared in five games and made his first start in the bowl game.
- Baylynn Williams, who made his college debut in the bowl game, could contend for a spot on the offensive line.
- Cornerback Brent Gordon Jr. recorded 62 tackles and 12 pass breakups as a true freshman.
- Defensive tackle Fitzgerald West Jr. appeared in 13 games with eight starts and made 23 tackles.
- Linebacker Jake St. Andre made five starts and had 50 tackles.
- Maurion Eleam had five starts and was credited with 47 tackles and three pass breakups from the STAR position.
- Redshirt sophomore receiver Ja’Corian Norris had nine kickoff returns for 318 yards and a touchdown.
- Tony Sterner converted 20 of 28 field-goal attempts with a long of 55 yards, and he was 38 for 38 on PATs.
Key Newcomers
- Jayce Mitchell could contend for time on the offensive line after transferring from Tulane, where he redshirted and didn’t see any action last year.
- Running back Anthony Reagan Jr. rushed for 672 yards and nine touchdowns last year at Howard. He also averaged 21.2 yards on 17 kickoff returns.
Louisiana’s 2026 Schedule
- 9/5 vs. Lamar
- 9/12 at USC
- 9/19 vs. UAB
- 9/26 at Charlotte
- 10/3 vs. Arkansas State
- 10/10 at Louisiana Tech
- 10/17 vs. Troy
- 10/24 at Southern Mississippi
- 11/7 vs. South Alabama
- 11/12 at ULM
- 11/21 vs. Coastal Carolina
- 11/28 at Georgia State
Bold indicates Sun Belt contests
Louisiana’s Sun Belt Title Betting Odds
Louisiana’s college football betting odds to win the conference are +850, via BetMGM. Those are the fourth-best odds among all the Sun Belt teams.
Louisiana’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
- Louisiana’s win total Over/Under is 7.5
- The Under is at -145
- The Over is at +115
Louisiana Season Prediction
I like the Ragin’ Cajuns to go over 7.5 wins.
If they do win eight or more games, I think that would mean they earn a 3-1 non-conference record with the one loss at USC. From there, Louisiana is capable of going at least 5-3 in the Sun Belt, a record it accomplished last year.
Louisiana could actually do better than 5-3. The Ragin’ Cajuns face their two toughest Sun Belt West teams (according to the preseason coaches poll) at home – Troy and Arkansas State. The toughest road Sun Belt game is at Louisiana Tech, in my opinion.
With the experience he gained last season, Winfield is capable of leading this offense to greater heights. A key will be how many of the new full-time starters fare on defense.
