For the fifth time in six years, the Ragin’ Cajuns were represented at the NFL Draft.
With the 154th overall pick in the fifth round, the San Francisco 49ers selected Louisiana inside linebacker Jaden Dugger. Although Dugger is the ninth Ragin’ Cajun drafted in the 2020s decade, he is the program’s first-ever linebacker to grace the NFL Draft stage.
Dugger’s college career originated at the FCS level where he starred at Georgetown from 2022-23. After earning an all-conference selection with the Hoyas,
the Pittsburgh native linebacker entered the transfer portal and wound up in Sun Belt country.
Dugger suited up two seasons for Louisiana. In 2024, he primarily operated as a reserve linebacker. He earned three starts but still provided value in the rotation with 37 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack for a 10-win Ragin’ Cajun team that hosted the Sun Belt Championship Game. The inside linebacker finally witnessed his breakthrough in 2025. He totaled 125 tackles (14th in the FBS and second in the Sun Belt), in addition to 13.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, an interception, and three pass breakups.
Given his production, Dugger warranted First Team All-Sun Belt honors and a ticket to the East-West Shrine Bowl. He was one of the more surprising NFL Combine snubs, as the overlooked Sun Belt only received one invite (Georgia State wide receiver Ted Hurst). The Combine snub didn’t matter as Dugger instead showcased his athleticism at Pro Day. He posted elite numbers across the board, clocking in at 4.60 seconds in the 40-yard dash while recording a 10-foot-6-inch broad jump and 34.5-inch vertical.
Dugger presents impressive size for an inside linebacker, measuring at 6’5” and 242 pounds, all while possessing a 7-foot wingspan. The star tackler joins a San Francisco 49ers defense that was severely burdened by injuries in 2025, despite a run to the NFL Divisional Round. He’ll learn behind four-time First Team All-Pro inside linebacker Fred Warner, who is recovering from a dislocated ankle which abbreviated his 2025 campaign. Tatum Bethune is another inside backer whom Dugger will compete with for playing time out of the gate.
The former Ragin’ Cajun is the second Sun Belt star off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft. With two selections (Jaden Dugger and Ted Hurst), the conference exceeds its 2025 draft output of one selection.
