Football: Two-minute drill with UL senior RB Tyrell Fenroy

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • August 9, 2008

As Tyrell Fenroy prepares for his senior season at UL, he ranks third nationally among active players with 3,271 rushing yards in his career.

The speedy running back from LaPlace also sits on the verge of history. He needs 65 yards to become UL’s all-time leading rusher. With another 780 yards he will set the Sun Belt Conference’s career rushing mark.

After Friday’s practice, Fenroy spoke with The Daily Advertiser about getting back on the field, his legacy and his future.

Question: What do you like the most about finally getting back to practice?

Answer: I like seeing the guys fighting hard and all the intensity. Seeing the guys out here having fun and playing football means a lot to me. They’re working hard to make me better, and I’m working hard to make them better.

Q: Last year you rushed for 1,021 yards, becoming the 16th player in NCAA history to rush for at least 1,000 yards in his first three seasons. How much work have you put in to reach such a lofty goal?

A: Working hard in the summer time and offseason is a big part of it. A lot of guys go home and work out at home, but I stay here because we have a great strength coach. It’s a part of my routine.

Q: You earned first team all-conference honors for the third consecutive season as a junior, but you don’t consider yourself a finished product. What did you focus on the most during your offseason training?

A: I focused a lot on getting stronger and faster. We’re running hills to work on my speed and getting my bench press up. (He was timed at 4.32 seconds in the 40-yard dash and increased his bench max to 340 pounds. He shaved two-tenths of a second off his 40 time and increased his bench by more than 40 pounds in the summer.)

Q: If you stay healthy and maintain your productivity, you’ll become the all-time leading rusher at UL and in the Sun Belt this season. How do you want to be remembered for after you’re done playing for the Cajuns?

A: The main thing I want to be remembered for is coming out in the offseason and in practice giving everything I’ve got to get ready for the games. I want people to know I gave my all every day.

Q: Every running back uses different skills to achieve success. What makes you so successful?

A: The speed and the power. I’m just trying to get around the corner and through the line as fast as I can. The faster I get into the secondary the better chance I have to score. Another big part of it is having heart to go against guys who are bigger than you.

Q: You wear No. 32 for the Cajuns. How did you end up with that jersey number?

A: There’s really no story. I came in here and they issued it to me. I wanted to get No. 8 – that was my high school number – but there was an upperclassman that already had it.

Q: Everybody has something that you wouldn’t know by just looking at them. What is something most people don’t know about you?

A: I’m really not a shy and quiet guy. I’m really not like that.

Q: As a senior at St. Charles Catholic in LaPlace, you earned all-state honors after rushing for 2,100 yards and 44 touchdowns. How exactly did you end up playing for the Cajuns?

A: The other schools I considered were Ole Miss, Arkansas State, Central Michigan and UL. One of my old high school coaches played here. He brought me up here and showed me around. The coaches came to my house and spoke with me and my family for a few hours. The people here are good people. That was a big part of me coming here.

Q: Most athletes pattern their game after their favorite college or pro player. Which player do you admire the most and why?

A: I’d say Walter Payton. He played with a lot of heart. He had setbacks, but he was going to get it done every game.

Q: Barring injury, this will be your final season playing football for the Cajuns. What are your dreams for the future?

A: Right now, we’re trying to go 12-0 and go to a bowl game. After that, I’ll think about going to the next level.