|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
People SearchFind an individual who either played a sport or was a member of a support group. Search by last name by clicking on the first letter of the person's last name.
Mr. Andrew Hebert
Home:
Work:
Home Phone: 337-856-4560 Role Reversal: Former Teurlings standout Hebert adjusting to new position, team defense Joshua Parrott � jparrott@theadvertiser.com � August 25, 2009 Over his final three seasons on the football field at Teurlings Catholic, Andrew Hebert hurt opponents with his playmaking skills on offense. Hebert started at defensive end as a freshman, a rarity for the program, but moved to tight end as a sophomore and earned first team all-state honors in Class 3A. His final two years were spent at running back as well as limited time at strong safety. Now a true freshman at UL, Hebert has spent the past three weeks of fall camp learning to play a new position. The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder is now working at weakside linebacker behind junior starter Daylon McCoy and senior Jezreel Washington, although he got some reps with the second-team defense in last Saturday’s scrimmage. It’s been a whirlwind transition from high school to college and offense to defense for Hebert, whose father, Jay, and uncle, Jed, played football for the Ragin’ Cajuns from 1983-86. “The biggest change for me is that everything is a lot faster,” Hebert said. “I had a lot to learn and was behind a lot of guys who have been on defense longer and know what to do. But I really like playing defense. When I played offense I tried to be aggressive and attack.” That aggressiveness played a big role in UL’s coaches recruiting Hebert despite his limited experience on defense. In fall camp, linebackers coach Tim Rebowe said Hebert is showing that he is big, athletic and physical and willing to learn. UL has plenty of depth at linebacker this season, so there’s a chance that Hebert could sit out this season at a redshirt. That would give him a year to get even bigger, stronger and faster and contribute more as a redshirt freshman. But he has already caught the eye of head coach Rickey Bustle during fall camp. “The biggest thing is you see how well he runs and how athletic he is, and he’s a guy that is playing a position he’s never played before,” Bustle said. “I’m not sure he’s ready to play yet, but he’s on that bubble.” Hebert has also faced some struggles while dealing with the position switch. He has tried to ease the transition by talking with and listening to the team’s veteran linebackers, including McCoy, Washington, senior Antwyne Zanders and junior Grant Fleming. Some of the program’s players and coaches have compared Hebert to a young Fleming because of his combination of size, speed and athleticism. He showed his versatility by starting at three different positions at Teurlings Catholic and has been a quick learner for the Cajuns. “He’s only been on that side of the ball for a few weeks, so it’s a whole new world for him,” Rebowe said. “But he’s learning a lot every day and is excited about everything because he knows he is getting better.” With UL’s season opener against Southern University rapidly approaching on Sept. 5, Hebert says that his main goal for this season is to at least travel with the team. Even if he doesn’t get much time at linebacker this fall there’s a chance he could contribute on special teams. The coaching staff is expected to decide this week on which players will redshirt this season. Whenever Hebert takes the field, he will become the third member of his extended family to play football for the Cajuns. It’s taken some time for him to realize that he is starting a new chapter in his life as a collegiate student-athlete. “For a while, you feel like you might be going back to high school,” Hebert said. “But it started to finally hit me after I had a few practices and saw the Ragin’ Cajun sign as you walk up (to the Cox Communications Athletic Center). “It’s a special thing for me, and I’m looking forward to having some good years here.” * * * * * * * * * *
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
