At the beginning of the 2025 high school football season, Caiden Bellard wasn’t on many college coaches’ radars.
The Lafayette Christian Academy running back made waves in his sophomore campaign and quickly, he became the hottest 2028 prospect hailing from the boot state.
“All of it’s a blessing so I thank God for every second and every opportunity I get,” Bellard said. “The spring went really well and our team feels like it’s going to be a special season for us.”
With the spotlight up for grabs in the upcoming 2026 season, Bellard isn’t afraid to shine as he looks to carry the Knights offense.
‘I’m the next guy up’
Listed at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, Bellard got reps as a freshman on varsity playing behind LCA alum Jalen Noel at the time. In 12 games, he made an impact rushing for 421 yards on 58 carries averaging a little over seven yards per carry. Once the backfield belonged to him in the 2025 season, he owned it.
Bellard finished the year with 1,532 rushing yards and 24 total touchdowns carrying the Knights ground game. He also caught for 103 yards and two touchdowns on nine catches. Week in and week out, he served as their workhorse helping them to an 11-2 overall record.
With two more years to go and LCA graduating a bulk of seniors from this past roster, Bellard is eager to do even more in the coming seasons.
“LCA always did have dogs,” Bellard said. “They always did have a top dog every season, so I look at it like I’m that guy. I’m the next guy up. I got to step in, with all the success I’m having right now I can’t let that fool me. I gotta keep working. I gotta be the best version of myself to have an excellent junior season.”
The work hasn’t stopped for Bellard this offseason. From 7v7 camps as part of 4th Quarter Mentality to training with former NFL running back and 337 native Kevin Faulk, spring has been jam packed. He made the most of it all, garnering 26 D1 offers from various Power 4 and Group of 5 programs.
The most surprising of them all so far according to Bellard, were from LSU and Ohio State.
“The LSU offer came it was on a Friday, three days before my birthday,” Bellard said. “I just finished doing a workout and Coach [Lane] Kiffin had called me right before I got in the shower. That’s when he just got the job so he was looking at Louisiana talent and he seen that I was one of the best.”
Stepping into a leadership role
With all his success recruitment-wise in the offseason, Bellard and the Knights are hopeful for another strong fall this upcoming season. He’ll be key not only on the field for them but also off the field, returning as an upperclassman.
“We have our players that wear No. 7 and No. 3 voted on as our captain numbers and he’s going to wear No. 7 for us next year,” LCA football coach Matt Standiford said. “I think that’s a testament to his work ethic and about the type of kid he is. The spotlight is going to be on him but he’s not a kid that’s shied away from it.”
As Bellard’s prospect continues to rise, he knows the work is far from done.
“I definitely grew not just as a player but as a person because getting all these offers it’s basically another step in making my dreams come true,” Bellard said. “So I know I gotta hold myself to a better standard. I gotta know how to carry myself because people are looking up to me now.”
Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Get to know the hottest 337 RB prospect Caiden Bellard of LCA football
