Football: Two-minute drill with UL wideout Caleb Rubin

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • August 12, 2008

Measuring in at 5-foot-7, Caleb Rubin can sometimes be hard to find on the football field.

Still, his smile and work ethic makes the former Lafayette High standout a vital member of UL’s football team.

Now a senior for the Ragin’ Cajuns, Rubin is trying to soak up one last year at Cajun Field.

Rubin recently took some time to talk with The Daily Advertiser about his size, his speed and his family.

Question: What do you love the most about the game of football and why?

Answer: I really just love playing with my teammates. It just kind of grows on you being around everybody. It’s something you miss and enjoy. That’s what really gives me the passion and joy.

Q: At 5-foot-7, you are the shortest player on the team. How have you used your lack of height as an advantage?

A: I just go out and play like I’m the same height as the other guys on the field. My heart is the same size – if not bigger – than everybody else’s heart. I’d like to think it’s bigger.

Q: Last season you played against Arkansas State and Tennessee as a reserve wide receiver. What did you work on improving the most during the offseason?

A: I really worked on my core strength and speed. The main thing I really worked on was trying to understand defenses.

Q: When you arrived at UL, you played running back. In the spring of your junior year you moved to wide receiver. Which of those positions do you like playing more?

A: To me, you really can’t compare the two. I played running back when I started playing football. Wide receiver is a whole other realm on the field. They give you the ball out in space and let you make people miss. The other difference with playing running back is you’ve got to get through a little more clutter then you get to make people miss.

Q: At UL you wear No. 7. Why did you pick that jersey number?

A: That was the jersey number I wore when I started playing in the seventh grade. I’m a religious guy, and I think seven is God’s number. I think it has a special meaning and connotation to other things in life and in the Bible.

Q: What is your main individual goal you hope to accomplish this season?

A: Really just to help my team win. Obviously, with it being my senior year, I would love to have an impact on the team and maybe an impact so NFL scouts can see me. But even if I need to be a role player, I just want to see my team be successful.

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 used to write poetry. I don’t do it too much anymore. I just enjoy writing. It started out when I had to do some assignments for class. It turned out I was good at it. I enjoyed doing it.

Q: Despite missing three games with an ankle sprain, you rushed for 904 yards as a senior at Lafayette High and earned second team all-district honors. How did you end up playing at UL?

A: I took a recruiting trip to Texas A&M, and a few other schools like Nicholls State, Northwestern State and Ole Miss were interested. But I came here because I really liked what coach (Rickey) Bustle was doing and the way he was running the program. Plus, I liked all the other people he was bringing in with me, like (senior quarterback) Mike Desormeaux. I thought Mike was a really great guy, and I wanted to play on a team with a bunch of great guys.

Q: Everyone has someone to thank for helping them in life. Who deserves the credit for being your guiding light?

A: I’d have to say my mother. She’s served as everything to me in my life. She taught me everything thing I needed to know to be successful. I couldn’t thank her enough for that.

Q: At some point you will have to give up football. What are your dreams for the future?

A: I have a 2-year-old son (Cayden), so my dreams for the future are to be able to provide for everything my family needs. I want to be the best role model I can be for him. If football continues, I would love to play. If not, I just want to be successful in life.