The NCAA transfer portal officially closed on January 16, and for Louisiana football, it was a relatively quiet cycle-at least on the surface. After a 6-7 finish that left the Ragin’ Cajuns on the outside looking in during bowl season, head coach Michael Desormeaux and his staff entered the portal window looking to retool. But instead of a major influx of talent, the Cajuns saw more players head out than come in.
Key Losses: The Outflow of Talent
Let’s start with the departures-because they’re significant. Louisiana lost double-digit players to the portal, including some high-impact names.
The most notable? Running backs Zylan Perry and Bill Davis, both of whom played major roles in the backfield last season.
Perry is heading to Cincinnati, while Davis is bound for Virginia Tech. Those are two Power Five programs landing proven production.
Also on the move is quarterback Walker Howard, who transferred to Ole Miss. Howard had previously started games for the Cajuns, and while he wasn’t the entrenched starter heading into 2026, his departure still thins out the quarterback room.
Other key losses include offensive lineman Carter Milliron (Florida), linebacker Trey Fite (UTSA), running back Hutch Swilley (McNeese State), and defensive lineman Fitzgerald West. Wide receiver Charles Robertson and cornerback Lorenzell Dubose also exited, along with offensive lineman Bryant Williams, who’s headed to Arkansas.
That’s a lot of attrition-especially in the trenches and the skill positions.
Staying Power: Windfield and the Youth Movement
But it’s not all doom and gloom in Lafayette. The Cajuns are hanging their hat on a few key returners, starting with quarterback Lunch Windfield.
The rising star is expected to lead the offense in 2026, and his development could be the hinge point for the team’s success. Windfield showed flashes last season, and with a full offseason to grow into the role, there's reason for optimism.
Also returning are two promising young playmakers: defensive back Brent Gordon Jr. and wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. Both were true freshmen in 2025 and made names for themselves with their athleticism and football IQ. Keeping players like this in the fold is crucial for Desormeaux’s long-term vision.
And let’s not forget: the Cajuns signed 22 players in the Class of 2026. While not all of them will be immediate contributors, that’s a solid infusion of young talent to build around.
Portal Additions: Filling Gaps, Not Overhauling
On the incoming side, Louisiana didn’t make a massive splash, but they did pick up a few pieces that could help fill some immediate needs.
- Tito Chikere (East Texas A&M): At 6-2, 250 pounds, Chikere adds some punch to the defensive line. He recorded 34 tackles and a sack last season across 11 games and still has two years of eligibility. Rated as a three-star recruit out of high school, he’s the fourth defensive lineman the Cajuns have added via the portal-an area of clear focus.
- Prince Malbrue (LSU/Northwestern State): A homecoming of sorts for the Lafayette Christian Academy product. Malbrue spent four years at LSU before transferring to Northwestern State, where he played in 12 games this past season. He didn’t put up gaudy numbers-just three tackles-but he brings SEC experience and local roots, which can’t be discounted.
- Brodrick Stewart (Tarleton State): At 6-3 and 315 pounds, Stewart brings size and depth to a defensive line that lost some key veterans. He had six tackles in 2025 and has three years of eligibility left. He’s a developmental piece with upside, especially in a rotation-heavy front.
- Jayce Mitchell (Tulane): The first portal addition of this cycle, Mitchell is a 6-5, 275-pound offensive tackle who comes in from Tulane. A former three-star prospect, he gives the Cajuns a much-needed boost on the offensive line, which took a hit with the departure of Milliron and Williams.
What’s Next for the Cajuns?
With the portal window closed, Louisiana now shifts its focus to offseason development and spring ball. There’s still time to find late additions-especially if players enter the portal during the post-spring window-but for now, the roster is largely set.
The Cajuns didn’t overhaul their team through the portal, but they did manage to hold onto some key young talent while plugging a few holes. The losses sting-especially in the backfield-but with Windfield under center and a solid recruiting class coming in, there’s a foundation to build on.
This offseason will be all about development, chemistry, and finding out which of those 22 signees and four transfers can step up and make an impact. The Cajuns may not have made headlines in the portal, but they’ve got the pieces to stay competitive in 2026-if they can put it all together.