Summertime in the 337 is a time for giving back and that couldn’t be more true for two former St. Thomas More football players.
From Cougar Stadium to the NFL, Dalen Cambre and Jack Bech have proved dreams can come true. And both are looking to give back to the community that helped build them. On June 19, the New York Giants wide receiver will host his first ever Dalen Cambre football camp in Youngsville.
Cambre will host kids from the ages 8-18 at the Youngsville Sports Complex from 8 – 11 a.m. for a camp where passion meet’s mentorship. The former Louisiana football standout will also have some of the current Ragin’ Cajuns football members helping out at the camp.
If folks can’t make it to Cambre’s camp in Youngsville, on June 20, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bech will host his inaugural Jack Bech’s Youth Camp. The event takes place at St. Thomas More with check-in starting at 7:30 a.m. and camp running from 8 to 10 a.m. Bech’s camp is open to ages 7-13 and will feature $25 raffle tickets for a chance to win a prize.
As these fellow STM grads return to their old stomping ground, it’s a reminder of the talent that’s brewing up in Lafayette Parish and its surrounding areas. For Cambre and Bech, it was two different journeys to the league following their time as Cougars.
Bech started his college career at LSU before transferring to TCU, where he played a vital role in the Horned Frogs historic season ending in the College Football Playoffs. As a senior in 2024, Bech recorded 62 receptions for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns, ranking him fourth all-time in program history. That performance earned him an invite to the 2025 NFL Draft, where he was selected in the second round as the 58th overall pick to the Raiders.
For Cambre, it was a more abnormal path to the league after going undrafted in the same draft class following his four years at UL. With the Cajuns, he appeared in 63 games and hauled in 10 receptions for 123 yards, and tallied 17 tackles, two blocked punts, a fumble recovery and a touchdown.
Cambre made a role for himself, becoming the Cajuns special team’s secret weapon by his senior season. That helped land Cambre an undrafted free agent contract with the Giants and he would go on to earn a spot in their 53-man roster for the 2025 season. Cambre and Bech’s unique journey to the NFL and success on the next level will continue to inspire the future greats to come from the area.
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: NFL stars return to Lafayette for youth football camps
