​We wrap up the Louisiana football positional previews in the trenches, taking a look at the Ragin’ Cajuns defensive and offensive linemen.Last season, donning the green dot on his helmet, linebacker Jaden Dugger led the Cajuns in total tackles before getting drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. With Duggar gone, fifth year head coach Michael Desormeaux will be looking for returners and a couple of new faces to lead the defense.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn the offensive line, the Cajuns are hoping for a healthier year than 2025, after seeing a handful of linemen playing through injury or missing games due to injuries. The OL will have their hannds full this fall with a younger backfield and a dual-threat quarterback to protect in Lunch Winfield.Over the next few weeks, the Daily Advertiser will run positional previews asking two questions related to the given position as the Cajuns prepare for the fall. These will lead up into SBC media days, with the Cajuns scheduled to appear on July 16 in New Orleans.Here’s a look at the UL’s defensive line and offensive line entering 2026.Head Coach Michael Desormeaux speaking at the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Football Media Day. Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.The green dot is searching for a new owner this offseason on defense, and a couple of linemen and linebackers are making strong cases for that leadership role. Among the Cajun returners, defensive lineman Fitzgerald West Jr. is a player to watch for that role after deciding to return for his third season in Lafayette.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementListed at 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, West finished 2025 with 23 total tackles and two tackles for loss after appearing in all 13 games. He earned a spot in on the 2026 SBC Preseason second team list, the only UL defensive lineman to earn preseason honors. From the portal, the Cajuns added 6-foot-2 and 250 pounder Tito Chikere from East Texas A&M and 6-foot-2 and 305-pound Brodrick Stewart from Tarleton State.The Cajuns linebacker room has a big hole to fill with Dugger gone, but they return some key names such as Jake St. Andre and Ashley Williams. Andre finished last season with the sixth most total tackles on the team (50) along with two quarterback hurries and two tackles for loss.Williams brings a ton of size and strength, standing at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds. He finished his sophomore campaign with 20 total tackles, two fumble recoveries and three quarterback hurries. UL will also look for LSU transfer Princeton Malbrue to make some noise in the linebacker room following a stellar high school career at Lafayette Christian Academy.REQUIRED READING: Louisiana baseball’s LHP Tyler Papenbrock signs with Washington NationalsAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementREQUIRED READING: Jeanerette football hoping its star playmakers can led to a state title in 2026Injuries are unavoidable in a sport like football, especially for the Cajuns, who were stretched thin