Even though he has already established himself as a dynamic kick returner, Ragin’ Cajuns junior running back Raymond Calais is looking to make more of an impact in the running game this season. The former Cecilia High football and track star has rushed 38 times for 205 yards and two scores in two years.

LAFAYETTE — Raymond Calais is ready to prove that he is more than just a return specialist.

The 5-foot-9, 190-pound UL Lafayette running back is entering his junior season with the Ragin’ Cajuns and has been a dynamic playmaker at kick returner. In his first two seasons, Calais has returned 45 kickoffs for more than 1,000 yards, averaging a healthy 23.3 yards per return, and has taken two back for scores.

Both of those touchdowns came in last season’s opener against Southeastern Louisiana when Calais returned kickoffs back for touchdowns of 97 and 100 yards.

“They didn’t want to kick to me anymore after that,” said Calais of how teams avoided kicking to him after the season opener. “I got bored back there. I would be just standing back there and watch them kick it short or kick it out of bounds. I was like ‘come on bro, give me another chance.’”

Calais is also looking to make the most of his chances lining up in the backfield. 

Despite rushing for more than 5,000 yards at Cecilia High, including racking up 2,681 yards and 31 rushing touchdowns as senior when he was named Class 4A All-State Offensive MVP, Calais has yet to become a playmaker at running back.

In 21 games, Calais has only 38 carries for 205 yards and two touchdowns. 

“I am definitely looking to contribute more,” Calais said. “Special teams is always something I take pride in. If Coach (Billy) Napier wants me to play more special teams then I will play more special teams. If Coach Napier wants me to play more running back, then I will play more running back. I am just trying to help the team.”

To help him become more of a contributor at running back, the coaching staff has had Calais put on more weight — in particular 10 pounds this offseason. 

“Coming out of the spring, Coach (Jabbar) Juluke told me I needed to put on about 10 more pounds,” said Calais, who jokingly said he has been eating the portions his roommate and fellow running back Trey Ragas has not been allowed to eat. “That way I can be more durable during the season.”

Calais says that he has never weighed as much as 190 but says that the extra weight has not affected his blistering speed — which helped him be named the Gatorade Louisiana Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year back at Cecilia.

“I really don’t feel the weight,” Calais said. “I am just ready to roll.”

Calais also admits that he is trusting his coaches with taking more handoffs inside and waiting for a hole to open up instead of busting it to the outside. At the end of the day, Calais wants to prove that he is a complete running back and that he can help the Ragin’ Cajuns win games out of the backfield, and just not in the return game.

“Coach Juluke tells me all the time ‘for whom much is given, much is required,” Calais said. 

“I want to work every day and I want to bring it everyday. Coach always tell us that you are either going to get worse or you are going to get better. I want to get better and I want to help this get better.”