WATCH: Johnathan Stove On Ragin’ Cajuns 2016 Season

Johnathan Stove looked like a full-grown man when he stepped on campus for the Ragin' Cajuns, and he's going to have to play like one during the 2016 season.

The junior guard from Baton Rouge wasn't sure how he meshed with the rest of the team when he arrived at UL, but now he's a big piece of the puzzle.

"When I first got here, I was just trying to figure out how to fit in, but now I think I'm coming to the realization that I am a leader on this team," Stove discovered. "It's actually kind of surprising, but I'm enjoying it at the same time."

Head Coach Bob Marlin made him a team captain for the 2016 season, which is a role Stove is ready for.

Every team needs somebody to set people straight when they step out of line. If somebody misses an assignment or isn't taking things seriously, they have to answer to Stove.

"I was always vocal, but I'm going to be even more vocal now. Out of all the team captains, I'm the one that doesn't mind getting in people's faces," Stove said with a sly smile.

Being the enforcer is a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. Stove has the attitude and mental makeup to check his teammates if they aren't doing their duties.

On the court, Stove is going to be the go-to man for several reasons. Due to his muscular build and incredible athleticism, he will have to guard the opposing team's top scorer many nights. On offense, Coach Marlin is going to ask him to attack the rack, again and again. He's a natural when he drives the basketball, but he shot jumpers all offseason to round out his game.

His three-point shot is getting better, but he's going to use it to help him where he is best, driving straight to the basket. Without Shawn Long or Kasey Shepherd, the Cajuns are going to need him.

"I know we lost a lot of scorers this year, from the past season, with the seniors being gone," Stove acknowledged. Stove's going to be a heat seeking missile, attacking the rim all season long, "That's going to be my first option, but I think this year I should be able to shoot the three more...it should actually help me get to the rim a lot easier."

When you knock down shots, defenders have to creep up and respect the jumper. That's when Stove can do serious damage with penetration into the paint.

The three-point line is a major focus for the Cajuns heading into 2016. They need to knock down more shots and defend the deep shot better on the other side of the floor.

"We didn't guard the three very well, and we should be able to," Stove assured fans. "With Frank [Bartley IV] as an addition and being able to switch more, it shouldn't be a problem guarding the three this year."

It's no coincidence Stove called out Bartley by name. They were high school teammates, and Stove was a major positive for the Cajuns when they started courting him to campus.

"I was one of the main reasons why he came here," Stove said. "We're basically best friends, along with Bryce [Washington], so when he told me he was transferring, I was like, 'Bro, you need to come here, you need to come here.' I was begging."

His persistence paid off. Bartley transferred from BYU, and after sitting out a year, he's going to be a huge addition to the squad, playing right next to his friend.

Stove and Bartley are close, but Stove might be even tighter with fellow captain Bryce Washington.

Stove and Washington are brothers, literally. As fraternity brothers and teammates, they spend almost every waking moment with each other. Their bond is so intense, even Stove's mother noticed.

"My mom said, y'all are attached at the hip," Stove joked. "When he comes to our house, he's one of us. He was sleeping on the couch, my mom walked straight past him, and she thought it was me, so you see how much she is used to having him around."

Their chemistry is evident. When you see Stove around Lafayette, Washington is always with him. They're ride-or-die tight, and it pays off on the court. They almost read each other's minds, and they both provide constant encouragement. As the two major pieces on offense, Cajun fans should expect some near-mental telepathy between Stove and Washington.

Stove isn't scared of the responsibility he carries this season. From the way he talks, acts and plays, even the most casual observer can tell he knows people are relying on him. Some players crumble under that type of pressure, but he's prepared to shoulder the load.

"I'm ready to carry this team on my back every night if that's what we need to win," Stove said seriously.

With his muscular frame and mental makeup, Stove should do just fine handling the weight of the 2016 season.