Two key Louisiana Ragin Cajun players enter transfer portal

Billy Napier has left the Louisiana Ragin Cajun program in favor of the Florida Gators, with Michael Desormeaux taking over in Lafayette. However, the first-time head coach will now be without two of the program’s best players heading into the 2022 season.

Starting guard O’Cyrus Torrence and cornerback Mekhi Gardner have both entered the transfer portal. The two were key members of the Ragin Cajuns this season, guiding them to its first-ever 12 win season.

Torrence has been a starter for three seasons and was named to first-team All-Sun Belt for his performances. As for Gardner, he was third-team All-Sun Belt this season after 31 tackles and eight pass breakups.

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg has already dropped a prediction as to where the two former Louisana players would end up. Their former head coach in Napier should be the favorite and he would be “a bit surprised” if the duo do not head to Gainseville.

Scott Stricklin explains reasoning behind hiring Napier from Louisiana

After the official announcement, Florida Gators athletic director Scott Stricklin explained why Napier was the right guy to take over the Florida program. In a statement, he said the former Louisiana man will bring a “strong, relationship-based culture” to Gainesville.

“I’ve followed and studied Billy Napier’s career with interest, and he became the primary target immediately after this position came open,” Stricklin said in a press release. “We felt confident he would be an excellent leader for the Gators, which is why he was the only candidate I met with about the job.

“Billy’s ability to bring highly-talented people together — players, coaches, and staff — along with his vision for having a strong, relationship-based culture is what made him such an attractive choice,” Stricklin said. “Add in how detailed his plan is for player development, staffing and recruiting, along with a sustained desire to improve, and it’s easy to see why he’s been successful.

“I’m so pleased that Billy, Ali, Annie, Sammy Nelson and Charlie are coming to Gainesville. It’s an exciting day for the Gators.”

Stricklan decided it was time to move on from Dan Mullen after the program started to make a wrong turn. Not only were the results beginning to turn sour, but recruiting was not something the former head coach was prioritizing.