Football: Former teammates meet for final time when Cajuns visit ULM

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • October 3, 2008

Sometime today, UL quarterback Mike Desormeaux expects to get a phone call from an old friend.

On the other end of the phone will be ULM tight end Zeek Zacharie, one of Desormeaux’s former teammates at Catholic-NI.

Since graduating from high school in 2004, Desormeaux and Zacharie have talked on the phone or communicated through text messages as much as possible on a weekly basis.

"Usually we talk on Fridays or text message each other if it’s too late," Desormeaux said. "We talk every weekend, either before or after the game."

The topics of those conversations rarely, if ever, deal with football. The two young men have been best friends since high school, which makes sense. Both of the seniors have faced their share of doubters before finding success in college football.

For the final time, Desormeaux and Zacharie will face off at 6 p.m. Saturday when UL (1-3) opens Sun Belt play at ULM (1-3).

"That game is really important to me," Zacharie said. "Mike is my best friend and has been my best friend since high school.

"It’s going to be great to be able to compete on the same field as him again."

One and done

Desormeaux felt like he made the right choice the first time around when it came to picking a college. He ended up signing with the Cajuns after also considering ULM, Louisiana Tech and McNeese State.

After redshirting in ’04, Desormeaux started four games as a redshirt freshman when starter Jerry Babb got hurt. Desormeaux, who also worked on the punt team, ran for 351 yards and two touchdowns as a starter. He finished second on the team with 487 rushing yards and three TDs and was a first team All-Sun Belt selection as an all-purpose player.

Desormeaux played behind Babb as a sophomore, seeing time at quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back and on special teams. His all-around play earned him second team all-league honors.

His patience finally paid off last season when he earned the starting job at quarterback. Desormeaux did not disappoint, garnering second team all-conference honors again after rushing for a team-high 1,141 yards.

But he missed parts of two games with injuries and the regular-season finale against ULM.

"Last season, the offense really evolved to where I ran a little more than we wanted to," Desormeaux said in the preseason. "This year, we are focusing on throwing the ball a little more, but scrambling is still going to be a big part of what we do."

So has Desormeaux.

Desormeaux has continued to develop as a quarterback this season. He ranks 18th nationally in rushing yards per game (109) and is 20th in total offensive yards a game (280.8).

After throwing 10 interceptions last season, Desormeaux has tossed only two picks in four games as a senior. He has thrown 98 consecutive passes without an interception.

"I think he’s a great player, a great athlete and a really good person," Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill said of Desormeaux in the preseason. "I have a lot of respect for him as a person and a player."

Despite his progress as a passer, Desormeaux is projected to play another position at the next level. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder has the grittiness and attitude to make the move to defense in the NFL.

"I was talking with a scout from the Buffalo Bills the other day, and I told him I think Mike can be a free safety in the NFL," UL coach Rickey Bustle said. "If he’s going to get a chance at the next level, that’s where I think he’ll get it."

Zacharie believes his friend will get a shot in the NFL.

"When I look at him, that’s the way you should play the game," Zacharie said. "He could play wide receiver or safety.

"He’ll play anywhere the coaches would want him to play."

Third time around

Zacharie needed three chances to find the right fit in college.

As a 6-1, 170 -pound wide receiver out of high school, Zacharie signed with Southeastern Louisiana. He redshirted one season – and earned the nickname "Scout team All-American" – but left when head coach Hal Mumme resigned to take the job at New Mexico State.

Zacharie transferred to Southern, where he competed in spring practice.

But he always wondered if he made the right choice. Then he talked with former prep teammate Joey Trappey, a tight end for ULM at the time.

"I had told him I always regretted not going to ULM out of high school," Zacharie said. "He told me ‘Instead of living in regret, come to ULM now.’"

So that’s exactly what Zacharie did, as he joined the Warhawks as a walk-on.

After sitting out one season, Zacharie burst onto the scene as a sophomore in ’06. He ranked in the top 10 in the Sun Belt in receptions per game (2.5) and receiving yards per game (33.8) and was a second team all-conference selection.

Zacharie took another step forward last season as a junior.

Named to the John Mackey Award Watch List in the preseason, Zacharie caught a team-high six touchdown passes, which was third among all receivers in the league and 10th nationally for tight ends. He was at his best in the final nine games of the season, hauling in 32 of his 36 receptions for 413 of his 437 yards and all six touchdowns. He earned second team all-league honors again.

Count Desormeaux among the many believers in Zacharie and his abilities.

"I have a ton of respect for Zeek," Desormeaux said. "I’ve seen him push through a lot of adversity at a young age. He wasn’t recruited much coming out of high school and worked harder to get to the level he’s at.

"And now he’s one of the best tight ends in the country."

Now a sturdy 6-3, 242 pounds, Zacharie was named to the John Mackey Watch List again as a senior. He is tied for the team lead this season with 15 receptions for 133 yards.

ULM coach Charlie Weatherbie expects Zacharie to fight for a roster spot at the next level.

"He’s a guy who is very athletic and is one of the strongest players on our team," Weatherbie said. "I think he’ll get an opportunity (in the NFL) because he can play on the line of scrimmage or move to fullback or H-back."

But instead of worrying about the future, Zacharie wants to focus on his final game against his old friend Mike Desormeaux and the Ragin’ Cajuns.

"Whenever we talk, we realize we’re blessed," Zacharie said. "We appreciate the opportunity to have gone through what we did to get where we are.

"It’s all paid off."