A one-two punch: UL football turn to Perry, Davis for rushing attack in 2025 season

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The August means ushering in college football in Lafayette as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football players reported to preseason camp Friday.

Buzzing with anticipation, itching to get out to a newly renovated Cajun Field and expectations of a Sun Belt Conference title shot all loom over them as they set to start practice Saturday.

"I think fall camp is incredibly important I think that's where you find your identity as a football team," UL football coach Michael Desormeaux said. "It's hard every day, these guys are constantly challenged, they're expected to take coaching, make corrections and adjustments in short amount of time. This is where you find out who you can trust."

Trust will look to continue to grow in the Cajuns' backfield, where they return two big names in redshirt sophomore Bill Davis and redshirt junior Zylan Perry.

After losing running back Dre'lyn Washington to the transfer portal, it was a relief for the coaching staff to know Davis and Perry would be back as the two were crucial to UL's rushing attack. The Cajuns' other four running backs on the roster either redshirted last year or are incoming freshmen, making a three-headed running back look unlikely.

"I do think this group is as deep as any that we've had," UL offensive coordinator Tim Leger said on the running back room. "The freshmen that we signed are uniquely talented but it's going to revolve around Zylan and Bill, that's really what it's going to be."

Listed at 5-foot-9 and 225 pounds, Davis also nicknamed "Bill Dozer," was a downhill back rushing for nearly 800 yards and nine touchdowns last season. The power back is hungry for more though as the Cajuns will likely be splitting the majority of the reps between him and Perry.

"Durability is a big thing for me, they always say the best ability is availability so I'm really just trying to take care of my body," Davis said. "I like to do hot tub, cold tub, when I wake up in the morning I like to stretch my back, my hamstrings a lot of mobility things. Ice on my knees that's very important."

Last season, Perry, who was recently named to the 2025 Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List, got snaps in the backfield and on special teams. His speed and ability to make something out of nothing makes him a two-way asset for the Cajuns heading into the fall. The 5-foot-11 and 207-pounder averaged nearly 25 yards per kickoff return and rushed for close to 700 yards and four touchdowns.

Desormeaux and his staff will like to see him as well as their other running backs improve this preseason camp in pass blocking.

"If you can't block, then you probably wouldn't make it to the league honestly," Perry said. "So I feel like that's the number one thing you should work on as a running back. I want to improve on mainly pass blocking and finishing runs. Not leaving anything on the table."

While Davis and Perry will carry the brunt of the rushing load, Desormeaux and his staff have confidence in their younger and more inexperienced running backs. Redshirt freshman Steven Blanco and freshman Darrell Smith are two guys they're expecting to show out during camp.

"It's Darrell and Steve O (Blanco) that are battling for that third spot right now and they've both flashed throughout the spring," Desormeaux said. "With them, it's gonna be about consistency, you know, understanding the pass protection. They both have the ability to run and get yards. Steven's a little bit more of a bruiser, downhill guy and Darrell is kind of similar but he's got a little bit more wiggle."

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Shannon Belt covers high school sports, the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns and LSU men's basketball for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.