2022 Preseason All-Louisiana College Football teams

From top to bottom, Louisiana college football programs produce an abundance of NFL talent annually.

This year’s preseason team is an assessment of the best players at their positions at any level set to participate this fall. Some of this list represents projections on my part.

Nevertheless, here is the best collection of talent featured in “The Boot” this college football season:

Offensive MVP: Tyjae Spears, Tulane (dynamic force as both a rusher and receiver)
Defensive MVP: B.J. Ojulari, LSU (elite pass rusher can change games)
Newcomer of the Year: Jarrick Bernard-Converse, LSU (proven at CB in Big XII)
Coach of the Year: Brian Kelly, LSU (proven program leader who just wins)
Comeback Team of the Year: Tulane (expect the Wave to go bowling again)

First team offense
-QB Myles Brennan (6-4, 235, Sr.) LSU, 6th year senior primed for a big campaign. Patiently waiting for his dream opportunity.
-RB Collin Guggenheim (5-11, 205, Soph.) Nicholls, led Southland conference with 933 yards, 9 TD’s. Last year vs. SLU, he had 266 yards w/3 TD’s
-RB Tyjae Spears (5-10, 195, Soph.) Tulane, game-changing skills, led Wave wth 863 yards rushing (6.7 average) & 9 TD’s
-RB Chris Smith (5-9, 194, Jr.) Louisiana-Lafayette, led 13-1 Cajuns last year with 855 yards rushing and 8 TD’s. Has 1,539 yds. & 13 TD’s in career.
-WR Kayshon Boutte (6-0, 205, Jr.) LSU, projected to be among top 10 picks in ’23 NFL draft.
-WR Gage Lavardain (5-9, 165, Soph.) SLU, as a KR and WR, 2021 SLC Freshman of the Year is a threat every time he touches the ball.
-WR C.J. Turner (6-2, 180, Sr.) SLU, career 185 catches, 2,383 yards, 19 TD’s, ranked 3rd in school history with one season remaining.
-TE Tyrick James (6-2,245, Sr.) Tulane, 22 starts total; in 2021–31 grabs, 429 yards, 4 TD’s.
-OL Caron Coleman (6-2,322, Sr.) McNeese, team captain, power blocker, in ’21 had 776 snaps allowing three sacks.
-OL Tre’Mond Shorts (6-5, 340, Sr.) LSU, 41 starts at East Tenn. State transfer to LSU, twice FCS All American.
-OL Dallas Black (6-2,288, Sr.) Southern, former McMain High School star twice All SWAC at center.
-OL John Allen (6-1, 305, Jr.) SLU, two-year starter for Lions, preseason all Conference.
-OL Sincere Haynesworth (6-1, 305, Sr.) Tulane, 29 starts, has played OG, stalwart at center.

First team Defense
-DL Jordan Lewis (6-2,225, Sr.) Southern, sack master, 10.6 hundred meters 10.5 sacks, 15 TFL in 2020. Injuries curtailed ’21.
-DL B.J. Ojulari (6-3, 245, Jr.) LSU, 55 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 7 sacks, 9 hurries last fall. 1st round projection in ’23 NFL draft.
-DL Ali Gaye (6-6, 268, Sr.) LSU, 3rd rated pass rusher in upcoming draft.
-DL Jaquelin Roy (6-3, 315, Jr.) LSU, primed for major jump in ’22, 2nd day pick in ’23 NFL draft.
-LB Kordell Williams (5-10, 205, Sr.) McNeese, 100 stops, 8 TFL, 3 sacks in ’21. 220 career tackles for Cowboys.
-LB Jomard Valsin (6-2, 245, Sr.) Northwestern State, 189 career stops, punishing tackler with 68 tackles, 10 TFL and 3 sacks last season.
-LB Tyler Grubbs (6-1, 225, Jr.) LA Tech, Holy Cross alum, already compiled 183 tackles in first two seasons.
-LB Dorian Williams (6-2, 225, Sr.) Tulane, 180 career tackles. On Butkus watch list. Recorded 73 tackles in ’21.
-DB Ferlando Jordan (6-0, 180, Sr.) SLU, two time All American, 2019 returned 3 picks for scores including one 97 yards.
-DB Jay Ward (6-1, 188, Jr.) LSU, 71 stops, 2 intercepts in ’21, versatile enough to play safety or CB .
-DB Zy Alexander (6-3, 185, Soph.) SLU, 6 intercepts last season, was FCS All American.
-DB Macon Clark (6-0, 200, Sr.) Tulane, led Wave with 74 stops, also had 4 interceptions in ’21.

First team special teams
P- Rhys Burns (6-0, 183, Sr.) Louisiana-Lafayette, Australian averaged 44.2 yard per boot, including 70 yarder vs. Troy.
PK- Jacob Barnes (5-9, 183, Jr.) LA Tech, 12 of 14 FG’s including 51 yarder.
Deep snapper- Ethan Hudak (6-0, 225, Jr.) Tulane, top 10 in nation at his position.
KR- Mason Pierce (5-7, 152, RS Soph.) McNeese, had 100 KR vs. Southern.

Second team offense
-QB Michael Pratt (6-3, 210, Jr.) Tulane, 2,390 yards, 21 TD’s, 8 int., also ran for 154 yards and 5 scores.
-RB Cam Carroll (6-0, 225, Jr.) Tulane, 516 yards, 3 TD’s. In 2020 had 163 rushing in single game vs. So. Miss.
-RB John Emery, Jr. (5-11,220, Sr.) LSU, Tiger fans are getting ready to witness a new John Emery, untapped potential.
-RB Scooter Adams (5-9, 180, Jr.) Northwestern State, injured in ’21, Had 681 yards (8 yard average) 7 TD’s in 2020.
-WR Smoke Harris (5-6, 180, Jr.) LA Tech, four-time Honor Roll selection led West Feliciana to 2017 state championship with 307 all purpose yards in title game.
-WR K.J. Franklin (5-9, 175, Jr.) Nicholls, twice All-SLC pick is known for acrobatic, one-handed grabs.
-WR Jeemiah “Boogie” Knight (5-10, 193, Sr.) Louisiana-Monroe, HR threat, first season at Ohio State, 3 more at Akron before arrived at ULM.
-TE Johnny Lumpkin (6-6, 260, Sr.) Louisiana-Lafayette, 38 games for Cajuns, complete TE.
-OL Cameron Wire (6-6, 307, Jr.) LSU, top 40 ranked OT in nation, can play OT or OG.
-OL Joey Claybrooks (6-7, 300, Sr.) Tulane, 45 starts for Green Wave, NFL potential.
-OL Jalen Bell (6-5, 300, Sr.) SLU, twice all conference, high grader.
-OL Miles Frazier (6-6, 323, Soph.) LSU, transfer from Fla. International, can play OG or OT.
-OL Marlon Martinez (6-4, 330, Jr.) LSU, talented enough to play anywhere on O-Line, 21 games for Tigers.

Second team Defense
-DL Jason Dumas (5-10, 230, Sr.) Southern, transfer from Prairie View, in ’21 had 17.5 TFL, 8.5 sacks, earning All SWAC.
-DL Darius Hodges (6-1, 265, Soph.) Tulane, paced AAC with 14.5 TFL, also had 40 tackles, 5 sacks for Wave.
-DL Zi’Yon Hill (6-1, 278, Sr.) Louisiana-Lafayette, 59 stops, 6.5 sacks last season, 3rd day NFL projection in ’23 draft.
-DL Maason Smith (6-5, 298, Soph.) LSU, could be All American before Tiger days are over.
-LB Mike Jones (6-0, 232, Jr.) LSU, will assume a leadership role on Tiger ” D”.
-LB Nick Anderson (5-10, 228, Sr.) Tulane, has 170 career stops, bench presses 400 lbs. squats over 600 lbs.
-LB Micah Baskerville (6-1, 228, Sr.) LSU, 83 tackles, 7 TFL last season.
– LB Zach Woodard (6-1, 237, Sr.) Louisiana-Monroe, 89 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5.5 TFL. Plays sideline to sideline.
-DB Joe Foucha (5-10, 210, Sr.) LSU, ex. McDonogh 35 star, transfer from Arkansas where he started 34 games, with 230 tackles.
-DB Jarrick Bernard-Converse (6-2,205, Sr.) LSU, 47 starts at Oklahoma State, 216 tackles, 24 PBU, 4 interceptions.
-DB Larry Brooks (6-0, 200, Jr.) Tulane, plays with swagger, 46 career contests, 125 career stops.
-DB Donniel Ward-Magee (6-1, 175, Sr.) SLU, St. Augustine product twice All-SLC, 40 games, 165 tackles for Lions.

Third team Offense
-QB Jayden Daniels (6-3, 185, Jr.) LSU, transfer from Arizona State who played 29 games (6,025 passing yards, 32 TD’s, 13 interceptions) will see field as dual-threat.
-RB Taron Jones (5-10, 205, Sr.) SLU, Mandeville High School product, career 773 yards rushing, 11 TD’s for Lions.
-RB Deonta McMahon (5-9, 185, Sr.) McNeese, 558 yards, 8 TD’s in ’21. JUCO All American out of Butte College.
-RB Malik Jackson (5-9, 175, Jr.) Louisiana-Monroe, ran for 473 yards, 3 TD’s in ’21, spent first 2 seasons as WR.
-WR Jack Bech (6-2, 215, Soph.) LSU, 43 catches for 489 yards, 3 TD’s as true Fr.
-WR Brian Thomas (6-3, 205, Soph.) LSU, Michael Thomas type potential.
-WR Shae Wyatt (6-1, 190, Sr.) Tulane, snared 33 passes for 376 yards, 3 TD’s, can stretch field.
-TE Dupree Fuller (6-4, 245, Jr.) Southern, Wiley College signee caught 47 passes for 744 yds. & 6 TD’s last year.
-OL Will Campbell (6-6, 324, Fr.) LSU, spring drills sensation as true Fr. wrestled starting LT spot away.
-OL Garrett Dellenger (6-5, 317, Soph.) LSU, 4 starts for Tigers in ’21, can play anywhere on OL. too good to sit.
-OL Prince Pines (6-4, 340, Jr.) Tulane, FCS All American, 22 starts at Sam Houston, one season at Baylor.
-OL Mark Barthelemy (6-4, 310, Sr.) Nicholls, two-years starter at LT for Colonels, Opelousas product.
-OL Calvin Barkat (6-3, 290, Sr.) McNeese, 783 plays in ’21 allowed 2 sacks, 16 consecutive starts.

Third team Defense
-DL Isaiah Longino (6-1, 275, Sr.) Northwestern State, 11.5 TFL, 9.5 sacks in 2021.
-DL Perry Ganci (6-2, 260, Jr.) Nicholls, 3 time state wrestling champ at Jesuit, (2021) 9.5 TFL, 6 sacks.
-DL Garrett Crawford (6-1, 250, Jr.) SLU, 27 stops, 7.5 TFL, 5 sacks last fall.
-DL Patrick Jenkins (6-2, 300, Soph.) Tulane, transfer from TCU, John Ehret product, stabilizes D-Line for Wave.
-LB Greg Penn III (6-1,237, Soph.) LSU, expected to have bust out season for Tigers in ’22.
-LB Ernest Simon (6-3, 235, Soph.) Louisiana Christian, Landry High product had 72 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks for Wildcats in ’21.
-LB Jared Pedrazza (6-1, 225, Soph.) Northwestern State, leader on Demons defense with 54 tackles, 8 TFL, 3 sacks.
-LB Andre Jones (6-3, 250, Sr.) Louisiana-Lafayette, 60 tackles, 6 sacks, 3 TFL.
-DB Greg Brooks, Jr. (5-10, 185 Jr.) LSU, transfer from Arkansas where he had 112 tackles, 12 PBU, 4 intercepts, West Jeff product.
-DB Myles Brooks (6-1, 190, Jr.) LA Tech, transfer from Stephen F. Austin.
-DB Sevyn Banks (6-1, 200, Sr.) LSU, transfer from Ohio State, future in NFL.
-DB Lummie Young (6-1, 205, Sr.) Tulane, Duke transfer where he totaled 145 tackles in 34 games. Big time hitter.