ULM Warhawks

By Paul Letlow, ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist

MONROE, La. – From his vantage point in the offensive meeting room late one afternoon in February, ULM head coach Matt Viator pointed to a solitary figure racing around the turf at Malone Stadium.

"Know who that is?" Viator asked his visitor. "Corey Straughter out there by himself. That's the second time he's been here today. He's out there all the time."

Seeing the hometown star putting in extra work made ULM's fifth-year head coach smile. Although the football program is facing several pivotal changes as it enters spring practice on Tuesday, Straughter's return for his senior season is a reason to celebrate.

"Corey had to start as a true freshman because we didn't have anybody else," Viator said. "He took some lumps. He definitely took some. The next year, he got better. Then all of a sudden last year, he wasn't taking any lumps. It's been fun to watch."

The 5-foot-10, 182-pound Straughter, who allowed the nation's lowest passer rating (13.5), lowest completion percentage (28.6) and fewest combined receptions for first downs and touchdowns (7), was named All-American by both USA TODAY (second team) and Pro Football Focus (third team). His 89.9 coverage grade ranked sixth-highest among all NCAA FBS cornerbacks, according to PFF.

The junior from Monroe, Louisiana, also ranked among the NCAA FBS in interceptions (tied for seventh with 5) and passes defended (tied for 13th with 15). A first-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection, Straughter led the league in both categories (tied Appalachian State's Shaun Jolly and Coastal Carolina's Chandler Kryst for the conference lead in interceptions). He allowed only one touchdown reception in 2019 (came in the season finale at the Ragin' Cajuns) and one explosive pass play (20-plus yards; came on the opening drive of Game 11 vs. Coastal Carolina). Straughter finished the season with 23 tackles (18 solos, 5 assists).

Happy returns is one of the hot topics for ULM football this spring. At one point after the 2019 season, it was fair to wonder if Straughter, along with tight end Josh Pederson and running back Josh Johnson would be back for their senior seasons. Pederson put his name in the NCAA transfer portal while there were rumblings that Johnson or Straughter also could be considering early entries into the NFL Draft.

But as spring drills arrive, all three remain on the roster and are expected to be part of the 2020 squad. Hope springs eternal with a talented nucleus like those three.

"They'll be here for spring ball, and obviously, we hope they'll stay," said Viator, who saw senior receiver R.J. Turner transfer to Texas Tech after spring practice in 2019. "You're talking about three all-conference guys."

Pederson, who just returned to campus from an internship with his father Doug's Philadelphia Eagles, led ULM in touchdown receptions (9) while ranking second in receptions (43) and receiving yards (567) in 2019. His nine TD receptions tied for first among tight ends (with SMU's Kylen Granson) in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision during the regular season. In addition, his receptions (12th) and receiving yards (13th) also ranked among the top regular-season totals produced by FBS tight ends.

 A PFF honorable mention All-American and All-Sun Belt First-Team selection, Pederson caught at least one pass in each of the 12 games.

"It's been fun to watch Pederson from where he was when we signed him to what he's become," Viator said.

The 5-9, 215-pound Johnson ranked second in the Sun Belt Conference and 13th in the NCAA FBS in rushing, averaging 108.2 yards per game. The All-Sun Belt Second-Team selection also ranked among the NCAA FBS Top 20 in yards per carry (10th at 6.46) and rushing yards (18th with 1,298). Johnson finished tied for 12th in the NCAA FBS with eight runs of 30-plus yards.

His 1,298 rushing yards rank as the fourth-highest single-season total in ULM history. In addition, Johnson led the team in all-purpose yards (1,420) while ranking second in rushing touchdowns (11), scoring (66 points) and explosive plays (14, 20-plus yards: 12 runs and 2 receptions).

He was stopped for a loss only nine times in 201 rushing attempts. Johnson opened the season with 69 consecutive carries without being tackled in the backfield.

Johnson became ULM's first 1,000-yard rusher since Frank Goodin (219 rushes for 1,126 yards and 13 TDs) in 2009.

"I think if you take all three kids, nobody is outworking any of the three of them," Viator said. "I promise you."

• New storylines always bloom during spring ball, but there are several plots to follow as the Warhawks begin their full-squad preparations on March 3. ULM spring practices are open to the public, so here are few key areas worth watching.

A NEW STARTING QB: Record-smashing quarterback Caleb Evans exhausted his eligibility in 2019, so the Warhawks are searching for a new starter.

Red-shirt sophomore Colby Suits was signed as the heir apparent, and he's reportedly had a promising offseason getting ready for the opportunity. In his first two seasons, Suits saw only occasional action as the backup for Evans, who finished his career with 34 consecutive starts.

"Fortunately for us, Caleb never got hurt," Viator said. "Colby has worked hard, but sometimes, you have to fight though that back-up mentality. He's always been a great kid and worked hard, but what we want to see from him moving forward is a little more pep in the step."

ULM signed Trinity Valley Community College transfer Jeremy Hunt (6-2, 235) to compete for the starting job too, so the quarterback derby will be in the spotlight all spring.

"You bring in a guy like Jeremy that has success at both places he's been, both the DII school (Central Missouri) and the junior college. He won both places and produced at both places. He comes in with a little confidence.

"We'll just see how it shakes out," Viator said. "It will be a little different. Colby and Jeremy are the two biggest quarterbacks I've ever been around.  They're big, they can throw it and they're smart."

Local signees Hayes Crockett from Sterlington, La., and Garrett Kahmann from West Monroe enrolled in January and are already part of the program too. Kahmann had surgery and hasn't starting throwing yet.

"We're bringing in two winners from high school," Viator said. "They've both won big at their schools. They come in with a little of that swagger too."

COACHING CHANGES: Offensive coordinator Matt Kubik made a late exit when Southern Miss hired him away from ULM in February. With Kubik's departure, Viator decided to return to play calling, a chore he handled for his entire career at previous stops before allowing Kubik to do so when they arrived at ULM.

"I've obviously been involved," Viator said. "Some of the terminology I'm trying to get used to. But it's something I haven't done in four years in terms of the day to day. Fortunately for me, 21 of the 25, I have (called plays). I'm more used to doing it than not doing it."

The defensive line also will have a new coach as Johnny Jernigan joins the staff after recent stints at Tulane and Georgia Southern. Jernigan, who was on staff with Mike Collins and Scott Stoker at Sam Houston State, replaces Anthony Camp.

O-LINE REBOOT: The offensive line replaces four senior starters but there's still reason to be optimistic.

ULM coaches did a good job rotating during games last season, so several promising young linemen enter the season with game experience.

"I'm anxious to see going forward," Viator said. "I believe with all my heart that we have recruited really well on the offensive line. It's going to be hard to replace guys who played as long as our guys have. But I like the talent and the attitude and the size we have."

Right tackle Sam Williams and left tackle Blake Lodes played extensively in 2019 and are considered major building blocks. Additionally, ULM will be easing T.J. Fiailoa (leg) back into the mix after losing him for most of the 2019 season.

"He'll do a lot of spring," Viator said. "Obviously, we need T.J. back."

The biggest battle could be at center, where Zach Breaux and Tyler Junior College transfer Dillon Brooks are vying for the job.

"I think the biggest area for us moving forward is center," Viator said. "We're going to move John (Bolding) back to guard. We signed Brooks to come in as a center."

With Fiailoa limited, Viator said Bolding, Dakota Torbert, Conner Parsons and Evan Henry are jockeying at guard.

MOVING UP: Leading tackler Cortez Sisco Jr. at linebacker and mainstays Donald Louis Jr. and Sam Miller on the defensive line are gone after their senior seasons, so tune in as the next wave of talent surges up the depth chart.

"Can Myles Cole, and Brandon Nettles and Dayonte Roberts and Ed Haralson move it up?" Viator said. "Time will tell, but we look the part."

Now listed at 6-6, 250 pounds, Cole is maturing into a special prospect for the ULM defense.

"Cole has grown at least two inches since he's been here," Viator said. "Maybe three. He went from 225 to 250 pounds."

Linebacker Rashaad Harding tore his ACL in the last game against Louisiana Lafayette, so he'll be held out as he rehabs the injury.

"Linebacker wise, all the guys have been here," Viator said. "We're hoping by the start of summer, Rashaad Harding will be a go."

The secondary is deeper than ever. Kenderick "Bunny" Marbles is back after redshirting in 2019 and joins a stacked secondary that returns Josh Newton, Jordan Oliver, Kevric Wiggins and newcomers like junior college transfer D.J. Travis.

"We've got more numbers of guys that have been here," Viator said. "That's been a sore spot for us. We've gotten so many guys hurt."