Ragin’ Cajuns running back Elijah Mitchell was flying at UL’s NFL Pro Day on Monday.
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With seven players selected in the last five years combined, UL has more NFL Draft picks in that span that any other Sun Belt Conference program.
Appalachian State is next closest with four.
Six of the seven players drafted since 2017 remain on NFL rosters. Cornerback Simeon Thomas was waived with an injury settlement last season by Washington.
Here’s a look at former UL players on NFL rosters:
Defensive lineman Christian Ringo, New Orleans
Ringo played eight games for Green Bay in 2016 and six for Detroit in 2017 after the Packers drafted him in the sixth round in 2015.
He was signed to New Orleans’ practice squad in November, released in January and subsequently signed to a reserve/futures contract.
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Former Ragin’ Cajuns defensive lineman Christian Ringo, left, pressures Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger when Ringo played for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018. Ringo is now with the New Orleans Saints. (Photo: Kareem Elgazzar, Cincinnati Enquirer)
Defensive lineman Justin Hamilton, Dallas
After time on Green Bay’s 2015 practice squad and Seattle’s from 2015-16, the undrafted Hamilton played for Philadelphia in 2017 and Kansas City from 2017-18.
He had 10 appearances in 2020 for Dallas, giving him 21 total NFL games.
NFL success: Ex-Cajun Hamilton debuts, McGuire scores
Former Ragin’ Cajuns defensive lineman Justin Hamilton (74) played for Kansas City and now is with the Dallas Cowboys. (Photo: UDA TODAY file photo)
Running back Elijah McGuire, Kansas City
A sixth-round pick by the New York Jets in 2017, McGuire played 24 games from 2017-18.
Since then he’s bounced on and off four teams’ practice squads/active rosters without playing. Kansas City re-signed the Vandebilt Catholic product from Houma in late March. McGuire won a Super Bowl ring in 2020 as a Chiefs practice player.
Winner: Cajuns alum Elijah McGuire shows off Super Bowl ring
Former Ragin’ Cajuns running back Elijah McGuire celebrates a 2018 touchdown run for the New York Jets against Green Bay. The Vandebilt Catholic High product from Houma is with Kansas City now. (Photo: Bill Kostroun, AP)
Safety Tracy Walker, Detroit
Drafted by Detroit in the third round in 2018, Walker has played 44 games for the Lions.
He started 12 in 2019 and seven in a diminished role last season, when he moved from free safety to strong safety.
Tragedy: Murder of cousin Ahmaud Arbery hits ex-Cajuns safety Tracy Walker hard
Former UL safety Tracy Walker (21) of the Lions tries to break up a catch by Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski last season in Detroit. (Photo: Tim Fuller/USA TODAY Sports)
Offensive lineman Robert Hunt, Miami
Selected last year in the second round by the Miami Dolphins, Hunt played all 16 games. He had 11 starts. The Dolphins, according to the Miami Herald, plan to move him from right tackle to right guard.
Huge: Cajuns offensive lineman Hunt a big target in NFL Draft
Former Ragin’ Cajuns offensive lineman Robert Hunt of the Dolphins receives instruction during training camp in 2020. Hunt played all 16 games for Miami last season. (Photo: JEFF ROMANCE/The Palm Beach Post)
Guard Kevin Dotson, Pittsburgh
The 2020 fourth-round pick by Pittsburgh started four of the 13 games he played, including the Steelers’ last two. Dotson’s first start came because of injuries to two starters. He played on both the right and left sides.
Respect: Dad raised Cajuns NFL Draft prospect Dotson right way
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Former Cajuns offensive guard Kevin Dotson of the Steelers celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) last season in Pittsburgh. (Photo: The Associated Press)
Running back Raymond Calais Jr., Los Angeles Rams
Picked by Tampa Bay in the seventh round in 2020 but waived, the Cecilia High product played four games as a Rams rookie. He returned seven kickoffs, including a 41-yarder against the Giants.
Related: UL’s Calais on the fast track heading into 2020 NFL Draft
Former UL running back Raymond Calais Jr. (30), a Cecelia High product, returns a kickoff for the Los Angeles Rams against Arizona during Jan. 3 game in Inglewood, California. (Photo: Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Cornerback Michael Jacquet III, Philadelphia
Undrafted Jacquet had 18 total tackles over seven games including two starts as an Eagles rookie last season. He had seven tackles including a sack against Arizona.
More: Napier feels Cajuns Jacquet, Ralston have NFL shot
Former Ragin’ Cajuns receiver and cornerback Michael Jacquet III (top, left) tries to break up a catch by Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup during a Dec. 27, 2020 game in Arlington, Texas. (Photo: Michael Ainsworth, AP)
Wide receiver Ja’Marcus Bradley, Cleveland
Undrafted Bradley played three games as a Browns rookie last year, making five catches for 60 yards. All five came in a late-December game against the Jets, leaving a favorable impression.
Overcoming the odds: Neither words nor tears flow openly for UL’s Bradley
Former UL receiver Ja’Marcus Bradley of the Cleveland Browns is hauled down during a Dec. 27, 2020, game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J. (Photo: Corey Sipkin, AP)
Running back Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco
A sixth-round 2020 pick by San Francisco, Mitchell will try to join a crowded backfield led by Raheem Mostert and Wayne Gallman. The 49ers also drafted Ohio State’s Trey Sermon ahead of the Erath High product.
Motivation: How fatherhood drives 2021 NFL Draft prospects Mitchell, Ragas
Running back Trey Ragas, Las Vegas
Ragas signed as a rookie undrafted free agent. The Raiders are stacked with returnees at his position, but Las Vegas didn’t draft any running backs this year.
Going pro: Ragin’ Cajuns running back Trey Ragas to enter 2021 NFL Draft
Lagniappe
Multiple reports indicate tight end Nick Ralston, a senior in 2019, planned to sign with Dallas as an undrafted free agent and use him as an H-back/fullback. … Linebacker Otha Peters Jr., who played three NFL games for Washington in 2017, is on the roster of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL. … Linebacker Jacques Boudreaux is scheduled to make his pro debut for Frisco of the new Indoor Football League when the Fighters visit Spokane on Saturday.