LOUISIANA FOOTBALL OFFICIALLY REPORTS FOR FALL CAMP
Ragin’ Cajuns to hold first practice on Friday; Ossai, Perry named to national watch lists
LAFAYETTE – Head coach Michael Desormeaux welcomed back 54 returning letterwinners,
including 19 starters, as the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Football team officially reported for fall
camp on Thursday.
The Ragin’ Cajuns, who will officially open the 2024 campaign on August 31 against in-state
opponent Grambling, went through team meetings and Media Day activities on Thursday and
will hold their first official practice on Friday.
“For the first time in the last three years, we’ve got a veteran group with experience on both
sides of the ball,” Desormeaux said in his first preseason press conference. “The thing that
we’re most excited about is that we’ve had the best seven months (off-season) we’ve ever had
leading up to this point.
“Starting in January, this year was about increased urgency. We talked about that in the spring
and in our daily actions. Summer is about increased consistency and accountability. We know
we’re in position to have a really good season, but this next month of fall camp is critical.”
With seven starters returning on offense, including four offensive linemen, Louisiana will look
to veteran leaders to improve from 2023 when the Ragin’ Cajuns finished as one of the top
rushing teams in the Sun Belt Conference.
The Ragin’ Cajuns bring back 10 starters on defense for first-year coordinator Jim Salgado, led
by linebacker K.C. Ossai.
Season tickets for Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Football are available for purchase on-line at
RaginCajuns.com/tickets or by calling the Louisiana Athletics Ticket Office at (337) 482-GoUL
(4685).
Fans who purchase season tickets for the 2024 season will receive priority for seat selection at
Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium in 2025.
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin’ Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns
app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Follow the Ragin’ Cajuns on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@RaginCajunsFB) to stay up-todate on Louisiana Football.
OSSAI, PERRY NAMED TO RESPECTIVE WATCH LISTS
Ossai and return specialist Zylan Perry each picked up preseason honors on Thursday with their
selection to a pair of national watch lists.
Ossai, a second-team Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference selection, was one of a record 111
nominees from college football’s Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) named to the Allstate
Wuerffel Trophy watch list.
The leader on the Ragin’ Cajuns defensive unit, Ossai played in all 13 games while starting in 12
for the Ragin’ Cajuns. Ossai, an honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference pick in 2023,
finished as the team leader with 95 total tackles with 4.5 tackles for a loss. The senior capped
off the 2023 season with a career high 18 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss against Jacksonville
State in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
Perry, a first-team preseason All-SBC pick as a return specialist, was selected to the watch list
for the 2024 Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse.
The Franklin, Louisiana, native finished the season as the FBS leader in kick return yards (862)
and appeared in all 13 games for the Ragin’ Cajuns. Perry also finished among the SBC leaders
with 1,100 all-purpose yards (213 rushing, 25 receiving, 862 kick returns).
