Another former Ragin’ Cajuns standout has found a home in the NFL, as the St. Louis Rams drafted defensive end Hall Davis in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft on Saturday morning. 

Davis becomes the 32^nd Ragin’ Cajuns player to hear his name called during the NFL draft.  Each of the last 11 Ragin’ Cajuns drafted have gone on to play in the NFL.

Head coach Rickey Bustle now has 19 former players since 2003 either drafted or sign a NFL free agent contract.

It is the first time St. Louis has selected a Ragin’ Cajun, although the Los Angeles Rams took tackle R.C. Mullin in 1988, using their 10^th round pick, 258^th overall. 

St. Louis drafted Davis using the 18^th pick in the fifth round, 149^th overall, which they acquired from the Atlanta Falcons, along with the 189^th overall selection, in exchange for the fourth pick in the fifth round, 135^th overall.  The Rams previously received the 135^th selection in a trade with the Washington Redskins for defensive lineman Adam Carriker (the 13th overall pick in 2007).

The last Ragin’ Cajuns player to be drafted in the fifth round was quarterback Brian Mitchell.  The Redskins took Mitchell 130^th overall in the 1990 draft.  Davis, Mitchell and center Bill Blackburn (Chicago Cardinals, 5^th round in 1944) are the only alumni drafted in the fifth round.

Davis had garnered a lot of pre-draft interest.  He attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and was invited to play in the 2010 Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Bowl and the 2010 Senior Bowl, but did not participate due to injury.  Davis finished his college career with 49 games played, 60 total tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss (-68 yards), 7.5 sacks (-55 yards), 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass break-ups and 1 interception.

HALL DAVIS BIO

2009: Started all 12 games as the Cajuns impact defensive end…Tied for the team lead in sacks and ranked 16^th in the Sun Belt Conference in that category…Made big plays in big games, totaling 13 of his 22 tackles at LSU, at Nebraska and vs. Troy…Had an interception in the season opener vs. Southern and forced a fumble at FIU…Notched sacks at LSU, at FIU and at Middle Tennessee.

2008: Started all 12 games at defensive end…Finished second among defensive lineman in tackles and tackles-for-loss and led the defensive line in sacks…Forced a fumble vs. FIU…Posted a season-best five tackles, all solos, vs. ASU, including two tackles for loss and a sack…Also had sacks in games at Illinois, vs. Kent State and at ULM.

2007: Appeared in all 12 games at defensive end…Had a season-best three tackles in the season-opener at SC…Posted a tackle-for-loss at ASU and shared a tackle-for-loss vs. ULM.

2006: Played in all 12 games on the defensive line, starting the first two…Assisted on a tackle at LSU and Troy.

2005: Played 13 snaps at Eastern Michigan, assisting on one tackle, before missing the remainder of the season with an ankle injury…Granted a medical hardship for the season.

University HS: All-District 8-2A selection with 20 receptions at wide receiver in addition to playing defensive end and safety…Finished his senior season with 10 quarterback sacks and over 100 tackles.

Personal: Full name is Hall Lucien Davis, V…Born March 2, 1987 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana…Son of Cecile and Hall Davis, IV…Has three older sisters, Pamela, Felicia, Erica…Intends to pursue a family business after professional football.