2026 Two-A-Days: Welsh Greyhounds

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - The Welsh Greyhounds are leaning on senior leadership heading into the 2026 season.

“You know, it’s their time, it’s their team, and I feel like they took it and they’re running with it,” coach Ronnie Courville said.

Senior offensive lineman Tanner Lejeune said the line’s chemistry dates back years.

“A lot of it’s been starting since sophomore year. I’ve been starting since last year, so we really, like I said, we got a lot of chemistry and we know what we’re doing, and we’ve been playing since we were little kids together,” Lejeune said.

Courville said returning four players on the offensive line benefits the team.

“Returning four on the offensive line is huge for us, so just a ton of experience there helps a lot. I think, you know, it all starts up front,” Courville said.

Senior running back Ja’Kyrin Woodard, who also plays defense, is looking to build on last season.

“I think just his explosive capabilities. Any play, he can take it. He has a ton of speed. He’s put on some weight this offseason, and so far he’s just been running with more confidence than last year,” Courville said.

Lejeune said the line’s job connects directly to Woodard’s success.

“I know if I don’t do my job, he can still do his job, and if I do my job, then I know that’s going to be it,” Lejeune said.

Senior quarterback Grant Haydel said the offense will be worth watching. Haydel said the team will pair Woodard with senior Azarius Bennett, who also plays strong safety on defense, in the backfield.

“Explosive is a word that I could use. We’re going to have a pretty good one-two punch at running back with Ja’Kyrin and Azarius. And then we should be pretty balanced throwing the ball with all our receivers coming back,” Haydel said.

Courville said the offensive line’s physicality supports the team’s identity.

“I’ll just go back to the offensive line, just being physical. Being physical, I feel like we have a big back. Ja’Kyrin is 185, 190. So that’s what we want to be is physical. We want to be tough and physical. I think that sets us up for success,” Courville said.

Lejeune said the team’s size should not be mistaken for a lack of physicality.

“We bring a lot of physicality. We’re a small team, but you shouldn’t look at us as a small team because we’ll be on the field. We are pretty explosive,” Lejeune said.

Courville said current players watched the program’s previous trips to New Orleans.

“Well, I think they’ve seen teams do it before, you know, back to 17 and 18, you know, they were, they were young guys watching those teams. So anytime as a young player, you’re seeing guys do that, you know, where you’re going to play. That’s always in the back of your mind, you know, wanting to get where the team before you did,” Courville said.

Senior strong safety Azarius Bennett said the team wants to reach that same level.

“We’re trying to prove that we can go like, we could be like the 2017 and 2018. We’d go to the same place,” Bennett said.

Haydel said the program has been consistent in recent years.

“So, you know, we’re here. We’re a, quarterfinal or better team every year. And we’re just looking to make a push this year,” Haydel said.

Courville said players have set a season-long goal.

“Yeah, I mean, they want to make it the whole way. And they’ve voiced that. That’s their goal. And it’s a good goal to have. But for now, we’re just going to take it one day at a time, try to get a little bit better every week. But that is the goal,” Courville said.