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Football: Reaction to Ragin’ Cajuns selected in the 2020 NFL Draft

Tim Buckley, The Advertiser, April 28, 2020

Reaction to Ragin’ Cajuns being selected in the 2020 NFL Draft …

OL ROBERT HUNT, MIAMI DOLPHINS

Second round, 39th overall

Hunt, on YouTube via the Dolphins

“You know, I’m blessed. This is a great opportunity. … I’m super-excited to get down to Miami and get to work.”

Chris Trapasso, CBSSports.com

“Hunt gives Miami guard/tackle versatility. Road-grader with brute strength and solid movement skills. Susceptible to counters at times but can recover. Smart for Dolphins to build the offensive line.”

Safid Deen, South Florida Sun Sentinel

“Hunt joins USC offensive tackle Austin Jackson, who was taken in the first round Friday, as the newest members of Miami’s offensive line. They will join Ereck Flowers at left guard, Ted Karras at center, and Jesse Davis at right guard or right tackle.

“Hunt could compete with Miami’s third-round pick last year, Michael Deiter, and backups Shaq Calhoun (and) Danny Isadora for playing time at a guard position with Julien Davenport as the lone backup at tackle.”

Related: Ragin’ Cajuns offensive lineman Hunt taken in NFL Draft

More: Cajuns offensive lineman Hunt a big target in NFL Draft

Adam H. Beasley, Miami Herald

“Hunt is … a bruiser who should plug in quickly at right tackle.”

Alain Poupart, Sports Illustrated

“Hunt played last season at right tackle and the Dolphins conceivably keep him there to compete for a starting position. Jesse Davis started at that position in 2019, but started at right guard the previous year, so the option certainly exists to move Davis inside.”

 

Related: NFL use in eye of the beholder for UL’s Hunt, Dotson

More: Starting at right tackle, UL’s Hunt has reasons to smile

Armando Salguero, Miami Herald

“Whatever position (Hunt) plays, it’s going to be with the disposition of a runaway 20-ton steamroller.”

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network on ESPN

“I’ll be fascinated to see what the Dolphins are gonna do with him, because some teams think he’ll kick inside to guard. … But at right tackle?

You want to see someone unload on defenders at the line scrimmage. … He’s got some nimble feet when he gets out (in space). I thought this is somebody that’s gonna be a plug-and-play guard. But the Miami Dolphins might give him a shot to start outside before kicking him inside.”

More: What they’re saying about top UL NFL Draft prospects

Mel Kiper, ESPN

“It’s all about making Tua (Tagovailoa, the Alabama quarterback that Miami took at No. 5 overall) great. … (Hunt will) have to adjust to the level of competition … But Robert Hunt’s versatility is gonna be a plus for that Miami Dolphin offensive line.”

UL coach Billy Napier

“From the very beginning, Robert was someone who has been a leader in our locker room and in our community. He will be an outstanding representative of the Ragin’ Cajuns at the next level, and the Miami Dolphins will find out quickly how tremendous he is, as both a person and as a football player.”

More: 5 things to know about NFL Draft prospect Robert Hunt

OL KEVIN DOTSON, PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Fourth round, 135th overall

Shaun Sarrett, Steelers offensive line coach (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

“He’s a people mover. I really like that this guy can move. He does all the type of stuff we’re looking for when you’re looking at that old-school run-game stuff. This guy can do it. That’s what stood out when we watched this guy.”

Curt Popejoy, Steelers.com

“Dotson isn’t the nimble athlete of David DeCastro but as a straight phonebooth guard who enjoys handing out pancakes like a server at IHOP, Dotson should project as a starter at some point. He comes to the league with 52 career starts and is a definite upgrade over B.J. Finney.”

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network on ESPN 

“I saw the list when it came out for the (NFL Draft) Combine. I was shocked he was not on there; I’m not surprised he was the first non-Combine player to be selected.

“I thought he would be a third-round pick at worst. … But a powerful run blocker. He gets underneath your pads and he finishes you. He puts you on the ground. There’s a little bit of ankle stiffness there, but I thought he was laterally quick and I thought his football intelligence was solid.”

More: Dotson first Ragin’ Cajun to go on third day of NFL Draft

Brian Anthony Davis, Behind the Steel Curtain

“The Steelers need a guard and this is a nasty one with plenty of accolades. … The word on Dotson is that he can play on any scheme. … Said to play with a junkyard dog mentality who will punch you in the mouth. … This man is an absolute monster.”

Mel Kiper, ESPN

“He’s a guy that really drives you off the ball. Hey, I’ll tell you: In that phone booth the guy’s gonna be tough, destructive, as a drive blocker. Not a  great puller, but … there’s a lot to like about Kevin Dotson.”

UL coach Billy Napier

“The Pittsburgh Steelers are getting a tremendous football player, and they’ve also just added an outstanding leader to their organization.”

More: UL’s Dotson named AP All-American; Hunt to miss bowls

More: Dad raised Cajuns NFL Draft prospect Dotson right way

More: Family ties helped turn UL’s Dotson into All-American

RB/KR RAYMOND CALAIS JR., TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Fourth round, 245th overall

Mel Kiper, ESPN

“He can fly. … Three runs over 80 yards in his career. The second player in school history to do that. … You love the burst from Calais. … He removes angles. The linebackers, defensive backs, have a tough time tracking him down and taking the proper angle (to) get him to the ground.

“Kick return really is not coveted now. But in today’s game you look at ‘Can he catch the ball?’ Needs more reps. He only had 10 receptions this past season. But (has) that speed, that explosiveness at 4.42 that he ran at the Combine. Great athletic ability as well. And the production. … 7.6 yard per carry definitely is an attention-getter.”

RotoWire via CBSSports.com

“Calais served as a top option in Louisiana’s backfield committee from 2018-19, and he compiled 1,845 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns across his four-year career with the team. He wasn’t often asked to handle receiving duties, however, and his ultimate success in Tampa Bay could come down to his ability to develop in pass protection and on third down. Calais stands to compete for a reserve role as a rookie.”

UL coach Billy Napier

“Raymond Calais was a dynamic playmaker for the Ragin’ Cajuns, but what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are actually getting for their organization is someone who was held in extremely high respect by both his teammates and coaches. … His competitive spirit and work ethic will continue to take him places in life.”