2024 Results: 11-3 overall record, lost to Central in the Division I Non-Select championship game.
Biggest Strength: The Bearcats under coach Jerrod Baugh have always been a team with a run-first offense featuring a disciplined, hard-nosed defense. There will be a lot of new faces filling the uniforms on the field, but don’t expect the philosophy to change, even with the transition from Kyle Williams to Marcus Yanez at defensive coordinator. Ruston’s success will start up front with the offensive line, both protecting junior quarterback Sam Hartwell and opening up holes for the team’s running backs.
Biggest Question: How do the Bearcats replace the Class of 2025? Ruston’s graduating class won a state championship and grabbed two state runner-up trophies over the past three seasons. Gone are quarterback Josh Brantley (Tulane), cornerback Aidan Anding (LSU), linebacker Zheric Hill (Louisiana Tech) and the backfield tandem of Jordan Hayes (Blinn College) and Dylone Brooks (Navarro College), as well as a number of other starters and key players. There is still plenty of talent, led by juniors Ahmad Hudson and Jayden Anding, but the Bearcats won’t be nearly as experienced as they have been the past couple of seasons.
Key Returners: Sr. FB Lander Smith (5-11, 220), Jr. TE/WR Ahmad Hudson (6-8, 235), Sr. TE Cullen Clark (6-4, 240), Sr. OL Brooks Brown (6-4, 225), Jr. OL Jakaylan Blackmon (6-1, 325), Sr. DT Ra’Keem Potts (5-10, 220), Sr. DL Keegan Goldsmith (5-9, 230), Jr. LB Keilan Davis (6-0, 195), Sr. CB Darius Woods (5-10, 165), Sr. SS Trindon Moore (5-9, 185), Jr. FS Jayden Anding (6-0, 180).
Breakout Candidate: The Bearcats have two national recruits in the 2027 cycle in tight end Ahmad Hudson and free safety Jayden Anding, who both should make major leaps, but the best bet to be the team’s breakout superstar is sophomore running back Dalen Powell. The 6-2, 185-pounder has the size, speed and power to be the next bellcow in the Bearcat backfield.
Newcomer to Watch: Two years ago, the Bearcats welcomed an unknown basketball star to the team named Aidan Anding. He quickly became a superstar cornerback, helping the team win a state title and eventually signing with LSU. KeShun Malcolm is hoping to follow Anding’s blueprint. After starring for the Bearcats on the hardcourt the past two seasons, the 6-3 Malcolm joined the football team and is making waves at wide receiver. The Bearcats need to replace last year’s No. 1 option, Joran Parker, and Malcolm has all the tools to be that guy.
Top College Prospects: The Bearcats are becoming a Baton Rouge pipeline, and they have two prospects with LSU offers. Ahmad Hudson is the top tight end in the country in the 2027 class, boasting more than 30 offers, including LSU, Alabama and Ohio State. Junior safety Jayden Anding also has several major offers, including the Tigers, Arkansas and Miami. Other likely college recruits are junior QB Sam Hartwell (6-0, 175), senior FB Lander Smith (5-11, 215), sophomore RB Dalen Powell (6-2, 185), senior TE Cullen Clark (6-4, 240), junior WR KeShun Malcolm (6-3, 170), junior OL Jakaylen Blackmon (6-1, 325), junior MLB Keilan Davis (6-0, 195), sophomore MLB Aidan Adams (6-2, 190) and senior SS Trindon Moore (5-9, 185).
Key Game: A road trip to Acadiana to open the season will be a challenge, as will non-district games against Longview (Texas) and Stephenville (Texas), but the biggest game on the schedule will be Oct. 17 at Neville as the Bearcats look to avenge a highly-emotional loss from last season against their biggest rival.
Coach Quote: “We just need to focus on getting better every week. And if that’s our focus throughout the season, I really don’t care what the record ends up being. I really don’t. … I want to optimize our kids’ talents and feel like at the end of the year I can look back and say and feel like we accomplished everything we needed to and I pushed this team to be as good as what they can be. At the end of the day, sometimes it’s good enough to win a state championship or go to the state championship, and sometimes it ain’t.” – Coach Jerrod Baugh
Player Quote: “My expectations aren’t any lower than making it to the championship like we have these past (three) years. We just need to stick together as a team and play how we know how to play.” – junior TE Ahmad Hudson