Bayou Boys: The Quarterbacks of the South

Ethen Meyers • September 19, 2023

    It may be a biased take, but when I think of the "Bayou" I think about Louisiana and only Louisiana. Sure, there are swamps and bayous around the world, but there's no place like home. That brings us to the point of this article, our very own Bayou Boys: Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB), Michael Pratt (Tulane Green Wave QB), and Jayden Daniels (LSU Tigers QB). Carr has already had the up and downs of a QB that you would expect to see from a player on a brand new team. Pratt has been injured, but the hype around the Wave is just waiting to explode. Jayden Daniels on the other hand, has been on a tear and showing exactly what he can offer to any potential NFL teams watching. Now that we know the purpose, let us dive into the people.


Derek Carr

        The former Raider turned Saint has seen two full games under center in the black and gold and his highs have been as equal as his lows. It is no secret that the Saints are winning because of the near perfection on defense, but this article isn't about the defense. Carr has thrown two questionable picks, but I am willing to chalk those up to a QB in a new environment trying to make something happen and potentially trying to do too much. Just one touchdown, two interceptions, 533 yard and a sub 65% completion percentage he has not wowed anyone and has primarily looked like a glorified game manager. While that may sound negative, I say all of that to say this: Carr is just getting started. Most of the throws just feel off for timing, which is a comforting feeling. He has missed guys because they went flat or long when he guessed the opposite. There is no amount of training camp or practice reps that can prepare players for in game timing, that will come with real game reps. My favorite thing about Carr so far is his emotion, you can tell he WANTS this, you can tell his eyes are set on more than regular season.


Michael Pratt

        Unfortunately, Pratt has been injured and it feels like the "day to day" status has increased to "week to week" but the Green Wave has stayed rolling in his absence at 2-1. Basing my overreaction purely off of his only game against South Alabama, I would think the Heisman race is between Pratt and Daniels. Pratt threw for an impressive 294 yards on just 15 attempts, managed to score 4 touchdowns and post a clean 93.3% completion percentage. Even more, he posted a respectable 3.5 yards a carry on the ground over 11 attempts. Pratt put on his Superman cap last season and at this point it feels like he plans on keeping it on when he returns. While Tulane fell out of the graces of the voters, they still have been receiving votes just not enough to get back in the Top 25. When Pratt returns, I expect him to take a few less hits and remember that while the Wave can roll without him, it is a more complete program with him healthy.


Jayden Daniels

        Where Pratt left off, Jayden Daniels picked up. The first game against FSU you could tell LSU was just not "there". Maybe it wasn't enough practice, not enough mental commitment, who knows, but they showed the world that was not the identity of LSU going forward and have climbed to #8 on the Top 25 after sure handed victories over Louisiana product Grambling and not so friendly neighbor in Mississippi State. Daniels has posted 9 touchdowns (7 Passing/2 Rushing) and over 600 yards since his less than desirable first game and does not show any intention of looking back. I thought about giving Superman to Daniels, but I decided to go with Batman, why you ask? Because Malik Nabers exist and what is Batman without Robin? Winning Co-SEC Player of the Week Daniels and Nabers are a dynamic duo LSU should ride into the sunset with. Daniels is playing like every NFL scouting departments dream, and I can't wait to see what else he shows off for the rest of the season as it seems his ceiling is still higher than we have seen.


        It feels like we are due some good QB play down in the bayou. When Drew Brees and Joey B left we had a gap, but the new Bayou Boys have us all the way BACK. Black and Gold, Green and Blue, or Purple and Gold your team has something to cheer about this season and it is (mostly) thanks to the revitalizing these QBs are doing, or have done for their respective organizations. As a fan of football and all things Louisiana, I am happy our trio of teams is balling and I hope the same continues to happen around the state for the smaller programs like Nicholls, Grambling, LA Tech, McNeese, SLU, Southern, ULL and ULM! #WhoDat #RollWave #GeauxTigers


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How X Games Found Its Perfect Match in New Orleans

By Patty V • July 28, 2026
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Linebacker Room Outlook: Different Yet Familiar?

By Kaden Arkeder • July 28, 2026
Well the changing of the guard has begun on defense. With Demario Davis leaving in free agency a big leadership void was left in the locker room where someone else will have to take the torch. Whom remains to be seen but all eyes are on what Kaden Ellis brings in his return to the Saints. The Saints signed Ellis to bring back someone with familiarity with the organization and the talents he was better able to showcase after leaving the team. Kaden Ellis in his time with the Atlanta Falcons was able to show he can do whatever you need of him from the linebacker position. He can play off ball in space showing good awareness in coverage but can also play well on the ball when asked to rush the passer from a variety of situations. With Ellis in the fold I expect the defense to be more effective in keeping the offense guessing on what the linebackers will be doing on a down to down basis.  Next up is Pete Werner who has had a up and down career thus far with the Saints but overall has been a solid starter since he was drafted. Werner’s coming off a down year in terms of on field production in 2025 where he was routinely taken off the field in favor of getting the young linebackers on the roster snaps on defense to give them some opportunity and experience. If Werner wants to keep his starting role on defense he is going to have to show more impact on defense this season beginning in training camp. With Demario gone and Pete Werner the only returning starting at linebacker on defense the door of opportunity has fully opened for the young linebackers on the roster. who have been patiently waiting for their chance to make a name for themselves. Isiah Stalbird, Jaylan Ford, Danny Stutsman fit into this category as young guys earning their stripes through special teams and limited snaps on defense thus far. This will be one of the more fascinating, fun training camp battles to see if any can overtake Werner on the depth chart and carve out a more meaningful role on defense. After them is the roster hopefuls in Anfernee Jennings and Jackson Sirmon. These two will look to show they belong in the league and will do whatever it takes to prove it. Whether they make the 53 man roster with the Saints or not the goal is to help bring more competition to the room and see who can do enough to latch on somewhere in the NFL. Opportunity is the key word I would use for this group. From Kaden Ellis getting a chance to really star on defense to Pete Werner getting an opportunity to keep young guys from taking his snaps again to the young guys like Danny Stutsman overtaking Werner on the depth chart. The linebacker unit has plenty of opportunities ahead of them, let’s see what they can make with them.
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