On the Move: LCA’s Caiden Bellard expected to transfer to U-High

by William Weathers // GeauxPreps.com Contributor

University High, which had already gained a pair of skill players over the offseason, is reportedly the destination for one of the state’s top players in the Class of 2028.

The Cubs picked up quarterback Knox Kiffin and wide receiver Kevin Smith Jr. when their fathers – Lane Kiffin and Kevin Smith – became part of LSU’s coaching staff in December. They were previously together at Ole Miss.

Junior running back Caiden Bellard is expected to join them this season after the 5-foot-10, 195-pounder withdrew earlier this week from Lafayette Christian Academy with the expectation of transferring to University High, two Lafayette-based television stations reported, and national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman of On3/Rivals.

“I didn’t hear from them specifically which school it was going to be, but there are a lot of assumptions that it’s University High,” LCA football coach Matt Standiford said. “I’m sure the process will be finalized soon. We wish him and the family nothing but the best. We’ve got to focus on the guys that we have and be ready to go.

“Anytime you lose somebody, regardless of how talented they are, it’s tough,” Standiford said. “It’s a family mindset here; it’s a family type culture. We’re a K-12 campus, and Caiden’s been with us since junior high. I got the chance to coach him in seventh and eighth grade, and we won a championship together with that group. Obviously, it’s tough to lose anybody, especially someone of his caliber, but I’m about the guys that we’ve got, and they’ll have a chance to step up and take that spot.”

Bellard, who wasn’t available for comment, carried 237 times for 1,555 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2025. He also caught 9 passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Knights to the Division III select state semifinals against The Dunham School.

Bellard rushed for more than 400 yards during his freshman season, with his first start coming in the fourth week of the season against Archbishop Shaw.

“The thing I love most about Caiden is that he brought a toughness and a physicality,” Standiford said. “I want him to be successful. He’s going to play on Saturdays for somebody and hopefully continue his career for a very long time.

“There were times where he was banged up, and he always said he was ready to go,” Standiford said. “I loved his will to win. He was willing to do anything and everything it took for the team to be successful. If that meant him blocking or catching the ball out of the backfield, or him getting the ball 20 times a game. His attitude never shifted, and that’s a testament to him and his character.”

Standiford said the spotlight surrounding his team’s running back position transitioned to senior Kaleb Simon, junior Kyzer White and sophomore Landon Prudhomme when LCA opened fall camp on Monday.

White was the leading rusher among that group with seven carries for 29 yards in five games.

“It was something that sort of transpired over the weekend,” Standiford said. “His mom got a new job, a new opportunity for them, and we’re super excited for her. It’s a chance for her to take care of her family in a better way.

“It’s unfortunate that it requires them to move,” Staniford said. “We kind of had an idea this weekend, and we’ve been repping some other kids at running back and in some different spots. It’s the next man up. We’re going to make sure those guys are ready to play.”

Bellard, who has 35 Division I scholarship offers, is the nation’s No. 45 running back and state’s No. 16 overall player according to On3/Rivals.com in the Class of 2028. The three-star prospect received an offer from LSU in May and holds such offers from Alabama, Indiana, Miami, Michigan and Ohio State among others.

Knox Kiffin and Smith enrolled at U-High for the spring semester and both took part in the team’s spring game in May.

Both were starters for Oxford High School, which advanced to the Mississippi Class 3A semifinals. Kiffin, who started in eight games, completed 67 of 114 passes for 1,236 yards and 14 TDs, while Smith had 38 receptions for 793 yards and 9 TDs.

The Cubs’ leading returning running back was Corbin Odell, who had 192 rushes for 581 yards and 11 scores last season.