Former Football: Ex-UL star Gautier may have CFL option

Tim Buckley, Daily Advertiser, March 30, 2013

After breaking two bones in his throwing hand at the most inopportune of times last season, and returning late in 2012 only to see that UL Ragin’ Cajun quarterback-of-the-future Terrance Broadway had settled into the job early, Blaine Gautier is itching for more.

"I just want to play again," said Gautier, who set records as UL’s starting quarterback in 2011 — but had his senior season spoiled by the injury.

"I definitely don’t want to see it end like it did last year," Gautier added during UL Pro Day on Thursday, "and I’m just excited about this chance to get the opportunity to play ball again."

The chance could be for real.

Scouts from 21 NFL teams were on hand Thursday to watch 15 ex-Cajuns work out.

There also was one from a Canadian Football League team, and it just happened to have been the club — the Edmonton Eskimos — that maneuvered to acquire Gautier’s CFL rights.

Whether Gautier winds up in Canada could depend on what happens during and immediately after the April 25-27 NFL Draft.

If there are no NFL camp invites — and perhaps even if there are — Gautier may be headed north.

"I definitely love the NFL. It has always been my dream," he said. "But I’m definitely all about the CFL too. "» I definitely hope to play ball, at any cost."

Gautier said he’s taking things "day-by-day," and he’s open to whatever is "the best possible way for me to get on the field and play ball."

"I’m definitely not shying away from anything, any offers," he said. "It’s definitely just kind of a waiting-game thing. You just want to see what’s out there."

PEOPLES ON THE FAST TRACK

One of Gautier’s top targets in 2011 and 2012, slot receiver Harry Peoples, could not have been happier with his 40-yard dash time in front of the scouts Thursday.

He ran a 4.48.

"Everybody thought I was gonna run a 4.6, 4.5," he said. "That’s good; 4.48 is fine with me."

Peoples remains in school this semester. But he’s hired an agent, and has been working out on certain weekends in Houston.

"I did my best," Peoples said. "That’s all I can do. I mean, I just wanted to make sure I left satisfied (Thursday) — and whatever happens happens. As long as I’m happy with (Thursday), I’m fine."

And he was more than pleased.

"All the stress is off me now," Peoples said.

LAGNIAPPE

Cornerback Melvin White, a possible mid-to-late round pick, was happy his effort too — "I feel great," he said — and felt especially good about increasing his broad jump from "9s" during training to 10 feet, two inches. White has a private workout scheduled next week with the Carolina Panthers, and is hoping for others. "» Cordian Hagans, who started his career as an offensive lineman at LSU and finished it as a defensive lineman at UL, worked out Thursday with linemen prospects from both sides of the line, including offensive tackles Jaron Odom and Leo Bates. "» Pass-rush specialist Emeka Onyenekwu, a potential late-round pick, pulled his hamstring during his second 40-yard dash run Wednesday and could not finish the workout. "After the first one I probably should have pulled up, but no regrets," Onyenekwu said. "Everything happens for a reason."