Signing day reveals 27 recruits, 13 from Louisiana

Wednesday night, a large crowd of Cajun fans and supporters filled the Leon Moncla practice facility, awaiting an announcement.

They were awaiting the Cajun football messiah, Mark Hudspeth.

Fittingly, Hudspeth entered in dramatic fashion, riding a custom Ragin' Cajuns Harley Davidson. Even more exciting, though, was the news he brought.

In announcing his second class of recruits, composed of 27 signees to the Cajun roster, Hudspeth stressed that this group is indicative of where he wants to take UL's football program.

"We said last year, it's not gonna be the same (this year)," Hudspeth reminded the attendees. "We're gonna hit Louisiana as hard as we've ever hit it here at UL, especially here locally."

This emphasis on in-state recruiting showed, as five of the recruits, Breaux Bridge linebacker Tyren Alexander, New Iberia wide receiver LaMarcus Allen, Comeaux linebacker Kevin Fouquier, Teurlings Catholic quarterback D'Shaie Landor and Carencro's Jalen Nixon, come from Acadiana.

Much of the hype, though, fell on Alexander, who received offers from Nebraska and Arizona State before finally settling on UL.

"We think (Alexander's) got the speed and the tenacity and the playmaking skills," Hudspeth said. "He's a guy that may just come in and play as a freshman."

Another eight recruits were from elsewhere in Louisiana. The class included 15 defensive players, 10 offensive players and two players deemed "athletes," including Nixon.

The Cajuns also poached highly touted quarterback Brooks Haack from his native Katy, Texas.

"We had to fight off Houston until the very end," Hudspeth said about the battle to sign Haack.

"Been waiting for this day my whole life and now it's here! So glad to be part of the UL family now!" said Haack on his Twitter account.

The Cajuns picked up two highly touted juco (junior college) players, former Georgia signee Jalen Fields and ex-Ole Miss Rebel Delvin Jones, both well-regarded defensive prospects.