For 13 former UL Ragin’ Cajuns, Wednesday was more than a reunion with old teammates in the Moncla Indoor Facility.

It was one final chance to impress NFL teams with their athletic ability at UL’s pro day.

Most project linebacker Jaden Dugger as UL’s best chance to get someone draft next month.

Dugger transferred to UL from Georgetown and played two seasons in Lafayette. In 2024, Dugger played outside linebacker with 37 tackles and four stops behind the line.

The coaching staff moved him inside this past season and the 6-foot-5, 230-pounder flourished with 125 total tackles, 13 stops behind the line and four sacks.

“I feel like when I’m playing now is a combination of everything I did, so I feel like that made me such a better player,” said Dugger, who played in the East-West Shrine Game. “Having that experience and just playing it. At the time, I might have not liked it, but it prepared me for who I am today.”

During the all-star game, Dugger was able to see the big picture.

“It was great – me with a lot of scouts and a lot of new players that you see on TV, finally getting to meet them,” said Dugger, who played safety at Georgetown. “Then seeing all the cool logos on the helmets and going against those guys that you don’t get to play against, so it was a great experience. I feel like I learned so much and I got so much better.”

Dugger has been training in Fort Myers, Florida.

The other Cajun with the next best chance of playing at a higher level is defensive back Trae Tomlinson.

In addition to NFL scouts, there were scouts from three different CFL teams in Lafayette on Wednesday looking at Tomlinson’s ability.

CFL rules state each team’s 45-man roster must have at least 21 native Canadian players.

“If you’re a Division I player, it’s highly likely to get drafted to a CFL team,” Tomlinson said. “So yeah, there was 3 teams and I was very happy to see them here because, you know, I can potentially go play be playing up north too as well, so very excited.”

Tomlinson showed why that should include him with a 36-inch vertical and 10-2 broad jump and a 4.47 in the 40.

“I think I did pretty well,” Tomlinson said. “I was actually quite banged up heading in to the Pro Day and, you know, with God’s grace and adrenaline. I felt pretty well.”

For safety Tyree Skipper who spent six years at UL, it was a special farewell day.

“So just playing that, they made me come, they let me come back,” he said. “So it was a blessing to strap up, you know, so I love it. I love the game and I love the Cajuns. So it was a blessing.”

Skipper is confident he can play any of multiple safety roles at the next level if given a chance.

“I could do the box, it’s on tape,” Skipper said. “I go play high, catch picks. I could do it also. Whatever they need me, I’m going to fill in, man.

I’m going to adjust. I’m going to adjust to the circumstances.”

After a career with the Cajuns filled with injuries and surgeries, it was just nice for offensive lineman Jax Harrington to look and feel healthy while performing.

“It’s always a blessing to come in here, compete, especially for this program, “ Harrington said. “To have that red and black on, it’s always a blessing.

“Like you said, with all the injuries, I never take these things for granted. It was a blessing to feel as good as I felt. I came in, didn’t none of those injuries prevent me from performing at my best today.”

Defensive end Jordan Lawson – another longtime Cajun performer – is hoping he did enough to impress scouts.

“I really wanted to show that first 10 yards out of the 40, getting out of my stands and being explosive with the couple of steps,” Lawsons said. “Obviously, for me, playing edge, they want to see that change of direction … so that was big for me.”

Lawson has 161 career tackles, 35 stops behind the line and 18 sacks, including 52 stops, 15 behind the line and five sacks as a senior.

“Just good football IQ, and good motor,” said Lawson, who said he’s up to 255 pounds. “I’m willing to play really hard down the stretch for a quarter and still having the same type of motor and energy that that I had in the first quarter.

“I think that’s going to be big on any level. So just excited to be able to showcase that on next level.”