Blaine Gautier returns to lead the Ragin' Cajuns after a fantastic 2011 season.

I have been selecting a preseason All-Louisiana college football team for many years and never has it been as difficult to choose the best this year. The talent is plentiful and deep at every position.

Last year, LSU posted an undefeated regular season, ULL won its first bowl game in nearly half a century and Louisiana Tech recorded an eight-win campaign as a conference winner before falling short in the Poinsettia Bowl (31-24) to perennial power TCU.

Those programs and others in the state return a plethora of talent.

So here we go, but cut me a little slack. Many decisions involved much deliberation.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

TE-Chase Clement- LSU Sr. - good blocker and short yardage receiver is moving up some preseason charts at his position.

OL-Chris Faulk (LSU) Jr. -  6'6-325 possesses skills that could equate to a lengthy career in the NFL.

OL-Alex Hurst (LSU) Sr. - 6'6-340 is an outstanding run blocker, a mauler.

OL-Leonardo Bates (ULL) Sr. - the 6'5-296 is key figure in Cajun offensive success up front.

OL- Sanford Bates-Grambling Sr. - 6'4-323 Tiger mainstay.

C-P.J. Lonergan (LSU) Sr. - 3 year starter has seen it all in SEC weekly battles.

WR-Quinton Patton (LA Tech) Sr. -79 grabs for 1,202 yards and 11 scores last fall. Deep threat with 4.4 speed.

WR-Odell Beckham,Jr. (LSU) So. - clutch receiver, same mold as Michael Clayton, Dwayne Bowe and Josh Reed. 41-475 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2011.

WR-Javone Dawson (ULL) Sr. -L.W. Higgins H.S. At 6'1-185, great target. Returns after recording 1,082 yards and 8 touchdowns last season.

QB-Blaine Gautier (ULL) Sr. If you need to ask why is he the QB on this team, then you don't need to ask. 2,958 yards, 23 touchdowns, 6 int. Strong arm, accurate, a winner.

RB-Spencer Ware (LSU) Jr. -707 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2011.

RB -Orleans Darkwa (Tulane) Jr. -924 yards and 13 touchdowns, despite not at full speed.Partial torn ligament in toe took away some explosion.

RB-Alonzo Harris (ULL) So. 6'1-205 had 700 yards and 8 touchdowns. Conference freshman of Year. Eddie George (former Heisman) type runner.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL-Sam Montgomery (LSU) Jr. 9 sacks, owns a sub 4.4 forty. Perhaps most polished pass rusher in country.

DL-Barkevious Mingo (LSU) Jr. - 8 sacks

DL-Bennie Logan (LSU) Jr. ringleader of the Tiger D-Line.

DL-Jalen Fields (ULL) Jr. - new arrival in Cajun-land. Transfer from Georgia.

LB-Trent Mackey (Tulane) Sr. -2011 was 1st team C-USA with 145 tackles, 10th most in school history.

LB-Derek Rose (Northwestern St.) Sr. -5'11-230 sledgehammer had 91 stops, 10 tackles for loss. 229 tackles last 2 seasons. Cousin of ex-LSU star 'Buster' Craig Davis

LB-Cliff Exama (Gramabling) Sr. 136 tackles in 2011 with 19 tackles for loss.

DB-Tyrann Mathieu (LSU) Jr. -the Honey Badger, 2011 Bednarik award recipient. 2 forced fumbles produced touchdowns last season.

DB-Eric Reid (LSU) Jr. - 6'2-208 76 tackles. In the same mold as former All American safeties, Craig Steltz and LaRon Landry.

DB-Malcolm Bronson (McNeese St.) Sr. -5'11-192 with 92 stops for Cowboys in '11 added 3 interceptions.

DB-Melvin White (ULL) Sr. - shut down CB with outstanding ball skills. Great size (6'3-191) with 8 tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions.

Offensive MVP- Blaine Gauthier (ULL)

Defensive MVP- Sam Montgomery (LSU)

Offensive newcomer- Zach Mettenberger (LSU)

Defensive newcomer- Jalen Fields (ULL)

PK- Brett Baer (ULL) clutch kicker

Punter- Brad Wing (LSU)

KR- Darryl Surgent (ULL)

PR- Tyrann Mathieu (LSU)

Coach of the Year- Les Miles (LSU)

2ND TEAM OFFENSE

TE-Matt Marfisi (Tulane) So. - 6'6-250 target should benefit from a year's experience. Good hands.

OL-Alex Savoie-McNeese St. Sr. - 6'7-322 has been rock solid since freshman year.

OL-Jaron Odom (ULL) Sr. - 6'7-330 is four-year starter who anchors right side.

OL-Eric Jones (Tulane) Sr. - 6'6-308 entering third season in starting lineup.

OL-Zach Morgan (Tulane) Sr. - 6'2-300 is established soldi starter at OG.

C-Stephen Warner (Louisiana Tech) Sr. - 6'0-315 is returning 1st team All-WAC.

WR-Ryan Grant (Tulane) Jr. - 6'1-194 poised for breakout campaign after injury shelved him for 2011.

WR-Brent Leonard (ULM) Sr. -velcro-like hands made 69 catches for 751 yards and four touchdowns in '11.

WR-Tavarese Maye (ULM) Jr. - 4.4 speed stretches defenses; 50-617 yards and three touchdowns last year.

QB-Zach Mettenberger (LSU) Jr. - 6'5-222 slinger can make all the throws and will demonstrate what all the buzz has been about.

RB-Michael Ford (LSU) Jr. -756 yards with seven touchdowns made him Tigers' leading rusher in crowded backfield.

RB-Dawrence Roberts (Grambling) Jr. - just 5'9-175 but produces big with 1,185 yards ands eight scores (110 yards/game).

RB-Jyruss Edwards (ULM) Jr. - 5'11-196 682 yards and 11 touchdowns. Gets tough yards.

2ND TEAM DEFENSE

DL-Delvin Jones (ULL) Jr. - 6'5-235 Ole Miss transfer arrives with much fanfare.

DL-Anthony Johnson (LSU) So. - 6'3-310 will show why aptly nicknamed "freak "

DL-Cordian Hagans (ULL) Sr. - one-time LSU signee boasts a team-high 650 squat.

DL-Shakeil Lucas (LA Tech) Jr. - 6'3-280 will hear his name often as Bulldogs replace six defensive starters.

LB-Austin Moss (ULM) Jr. - 6'2-226 was candidate for state's defensive newcomer on this team. Originally signed with Arkansas.

LB-Cameron Blakes (ULM) Sr. - 6'1-230 with 74 tackles to earn 1st team all-Sun Belt in 2011.

LB-Kevin Minter (LSU) Jr. - 545 squat. Had 61 stops. Expected to be a team leader in 2012.

DB-Tharold Simon (LSU) Jr. - at 6'3-187 possesses great size and skills at CB.

DB-Jemarious Moten (ULL) Sr. - 80 tackles despite diminutive at 5'11-175.

DB-Chad Boyd (LA Tech)- La. Tech Sr. - active safety (5'11-200) 3 interceptions in 2011. Outstanding open field tackler.

DB-Jamal White (Northwestern St.) Sr. - four picks in 2011 from safety spot.

3RD TEAM OFFENSE

TE-Ian Thompson (ULL) Jr. - tough to replace LaDarius Green (NFL) but has adequate hands and is much better blocker than predecessor.

OL-Kevin Saia (LA Tech) Sr. - Dutchtown product has been a starter at LG since sophomore season.

OL-Jonathan Gill (ULM) Sr. - 6'3-277 RG started as RS freshman

OL-Josh Williford (LSU) Jr. - 6'7-324 is very comfortable and confident as 2 year starter.

OL-La'El Collins (LSU) So. - 6'5-320 could depart Tigertown rated among very best at his position.

C- Andre Huval (ULL) Jr. - 6'1-305 leader of Cajuns blocking unit.

WR-D.J. Banks (LA Tech) Jr. - 5'9-185 Tulane transfer who has great open-field running ability.

WR-Russell Shepard (LSU) Sr. time to justify much hyped arrival as freshman in 2009.

WR-Devin Figaro (ULL) So. - 6'2-193 possesses 4.44 forty. Ex. Tulane WR. Will help boost an already solid receiving corps.

QB-Ryan Griffin (Tulane) Sr. - 6'5-218 had 2,502 yards and 13 touchdowns. Coaching change expected to make major influence. Started as freshman in ' 09.

RB-Hunter Lee (LA Tech) So. - 5'10-200 650 yards and five touchdowns. Had 38 touchdowns as senior in high school.

RB-Kenny Hilliard (LSU) So. - touchdown maker with eight in '11. Unstoppable inside of five-yard line.

RB- Alfred Blue (LSU) Jr. - 6'2-220, might be best combo back on roster as an inside/ outside threat.

3RD TEAM DEFENSE

DL-Austen Jacks (Tulane) Sr. - 6'3-247 had 3.5 sacks.

DL-Kentravious Caldwell (ULM) Jr. - pressure off the edge.

DL-Michael Pierce (Tulane) So. - 6'1-282, can be special player, very athletic, strong.

DL-IK Enemkpali (LA Tech) Jr. -6'2-245 not overpowering but extremely effective with 7.5 tackles for loss.

LB-Darryl Farley (Tulane) Sr. -6'0-235 had 69 stops with seven TFL.

LB-Jake Molbert (ULL) So. - 6'1-220 65 stops. Really came on strong as season progressed as freshman in 2011.

LB-Solomon Randle (LA Tech) Sr. - 5'11-230 is experienced five-year program player.

DB-Jamel Johnson (LA Tech) Sr. - 6'1-200 is active presence with 88 tackles last season.

DB-Ryan Travis (Tulane) Sr. - 6'0-172 team leading 4 interceptions.

DB-Brashard Booker (Northwestern St.) Sr. - safety with 78 stops and three tackles for loss in '11.

DB-Darius Barksdale (ULL) Jr. - 6'0-190 new arrival is a former Ole Miss signee. Coaches say that you can "hear" his tackles.