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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. Michael Desormeaux
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Home Phone: 337-519-6645 Spotlight on Former Athlete: Michael Desormeaux – Football 2005-08 & Coaches 2016-18 Featured on Athletic Network during February, 2018. Michael Desormeaux Rushing 2005 – 87 carries, 487 yards, 5.6 avg., 50 long, 3 TD 2006 – 24 carries, 180 yards, 7.5 avg., 51 long, 1 TD 2007 – 188 carries, 1,141 yards, 6.1 avg., 86 long, 7 TD 2008 – 144 carries, 1,035 yards, 7.2 avg., 64 long, 5 TD Totals – 443 carries, 2,843 yards, 6.4 avg., 86 long, 16 TD Passing 2005 – 62-117-5, 53 pct., 597 yards, 0 TD 2006 – 2-9-0, 22.2 pct., 15 yards, 0 TD 2007 – 133-242-10, 55.0 pct., 1,405 yards. 10 TD 2008 – 155-247-11, 62.8 pct., 1,876 yards, 13 TD Totals – 352-615-26, 57.4 pct., 3,893 yards, 23 TD Total Offense 2005 – 204 plays, 487 rush, 597 pass, 1,084 yards 2006 – 33 plays, 180 rush, 15 pass, 195 yards 2007 – 430 plays, 1,141 rush, 1,405 pass, 2,546 yards 2008 – 391 plays, 1,035 rush, 1,876 pass, 2,911 yards Totals – 1058 plays, 2,843 rush, 3,893 pass, 6,736 yards Top Games Rushing 19-175 – at Middle Tennessee, 11-10-07 14-174 – at Arkansas State, 10-13-05 21-159 – vs. Troy, 9-22-07 17-150 – vs. Kent State, 9-20-08 18-150 – vs. North Texas, 10-6-07 10-149 – at ULM, 10-4-08 16-146 – at Southern Miss, 8-30-08 23-145 – vs. Fla. Atlantic, 10-20-07 16-128 – at Troy, 11-22-08 15-123 – at North Texas, 11-1-08 21-116 – at South Carolina, 9-1-07 19-101 – vs. Ohio, 9-8-07 Passing 253 – 15-22-0, 1 TD, vs. Kent State, 9-20-08 243 – 18-25-0, 4 TD, vs. Middle Tennessee, 12-3-08 234 – 16-26-0, 2 TD, vs. Ohio, 9-8-07 217 – 14-20-1, 3 TD, at North Texas, 10-11-08 216 – 13-19-0, 2 TD, vs. Fla. International, 11-1-08 200 – 25-35-0, 1 TD, at Illinois, 9-13-08 Total Offense Rush-Pass-Total 150-253-403 – vs. Kent State, 9-20-08 123-217-340 – at North Texas, 10-11-08 101-234-335 – vs. Ohio, 9-8-07 175-152-327 – at Middle Tennessee, 11-10-07 149-172-321 – at ULM, 10-4-08 159-159-317 – vs. Troy, 9-22-07 145-121-266 – vs. Fla. Atlantic, 10-20-07 150-114-264 – vs. North Texas, 10-6-07 Competition still drives Desormeaux By Bruce Brown Athletic Network Michael Desormeaux doesn’t waste time on what-ifs. He’s too busy thriving in the now. A former dual-threat quarterback for UL’s Ragin’ Cajuns from 2005-08, Desormeaux had a chance to sample pro football in the NFL and in Canada, then made the natural progression into high school coaching. He was surprised, but prepared, when he got the chance to join UL’s staff in 2016, and is just as ready to contribute after being retained on the staff of new coach Billy Napier. It’s almost as if his life is one continuous option play. “I thought when I took the job at Catholic High (New Iberia), and again when I went to Ascension Episcopal, that I would be there forever,†said Desormeaux, a four-sport star at Catholic High. “I had no intention of being a college coach. It would have to be the perfect situation, and obviously coaching at my alma mater was a perfect fit. I’ve always been, and will be, a live-in-the-moment type of person. “There’s a plan for me. I just have to find out what it is.†The plan will almost certainly include coaching. “The first reason you get into coaching is to influence young people, Desormeaux said. “Without a doubt, that’s what I love the most, to watch players grow and mature.” “To me, there’s no better way to get prepared for life, without actually going through that life, than playing football. There is so much adversity, so much to overcome. You learn that sometimes your best is just not good enough, and that’s just part of life. Life can come at you hard.†Ahead of the curve So far, Desormeaux has been ahead of the curve in dealing with life. He was a four-year letterman in football at Catholic High, where he led the Panthers to three district titles and achieved near-legendary status. He also lettered four years in basketball, five years in track and field, and three years in baseball. It didn’t matter what season; Desormeaux was ready. “I just loved to play,†he said. “At Catholic High, most of the guys I played with I had known since at least the fourth grade. From season to season, we had fun. If there is a scoreboard out there, I want to win. I still feel that way. In recruiting, you want to win. The more competition, the better.†Football gets the nod as the most intense of the sports Desormeaux enjoyed, but they all had their plusses. “I was probably as good in baseball as I was in football,†he said. “I enjoyed playing. It didn’t feel as serious as football. “Football is THE sport where you are constantly tested, that puts you through trials. One person never wins a football game. The 125th person on the team had just as big a role in getting you ready for the game. “There is so much to be learned about being part of a family, to fit in with the team and to do your part. I loved to practice. I see myself as an over-achiever, someone who got the most out of the gifts I was blessed with.†Father’s influence Desormeaux’s lifelong love of athletics began when his father, Bill, coached him in youth sports and grew as he followed the exploits of older brother Beau by riding the bus, serving as a ball boy, roaming the sidelines. He was also impressed by sister Lili (Olivia), an all-state softball pitcher who “might have been the best of the bunch.†Then came younger brother Matt, who followed Mike to UL, played fullback for the Cajuns and took over as AES coach when his brother left to join the Cajun staff in 2016. “Turning the program over to Matt was a pretty cool deal,†Desormeaux said. “I didn’t think he’d be interested in being a head coach, but when it came up he asked about it and we talked. There’s no doubt he was best for the job. “We’re very different. He’s laid back, calm, methodical. I’m more vocal. There are different ways to get things done. “I’m very proud of the program (awarded the 2016 Division IV title). When we took over, they didn’t have a whole lot of confidence. But we were able to change their mindset.†Desormeaux, who will coach Cajun tight ends under Napier, added, “coaching is coaching. The big difference between high school and college is obviously recruiting. It never stops. It’s always on your mind, every spare second of the day. “It’s been really busy. The way the coaching change came about, and when it happened, put us a little behind in recruiting. We also have to evaluate our current personnel. “But I love the competition.†Sterling reputation Desormeaux lived up to his lofty reputation with an impressive Cajun playing career, which included 2,843 yards rushing, 3,893 passing, 6,736 yards of total offense and 39 touchdowns by his hand either rushing or passing. He became the 8th quarterback in NCAA history with back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons in 2007 (1,141) and 2008 (1,035). Twelve times he ran for over 100 yards in a game, and he had six 200-yard passing days. His career paralleled that of career rushing leader Tyrell Fenroy (4,646 yards) and the two became a deadly combo for opposing defenses. Most importantly to Desormeaux, UL posted six-win seasons in three of his four years and would have been bowl eligible today. “The way it’s set up now, we would have gone,†he said. “But that’s not the way it was. We had chances to win 7 games and lost games we probably should have won. “At the end of the day, you can’t worry about what-ifs or you’ll miss what happens now. Tomorrow will be what it will be.†He would rather dwell on what was real. “You’re always going to miss the locker room, the hours you spent together, that connection, that bond,†Desormeaux said. “You can never match that. “I remember homecoming my senior year, my first game back from an injury, when Tyrell became the all-time rusher. (Also) my senior year when we thought we’d earned a bowl with our sixth win. I had one of my better passing days (18-of-25, 243 yards, 4 TD vs. Middle Tennessee). Or the game in Houston (31-28 in 2006) when I ran a fake punt for 60 yards. “I worked at my craft, spent extra time. I think I was coachable. I wanted my teammates to think a lot of me.†With those efforts on the field, and a 3.91 grade point average, how could they do otherwise? One last step Desormeaux was destined to coach the game he loved, but he had one last fling at playing – first as a free agent defensive back with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars and later as a quarterback in Canada – before hanging it up. “It’s every player’s dream come true to play in the NFL,†said Desormeaux, who has a son, Thomas, and daughter, Elle, with wife Lindsey. “Obviously I wasn’t there long enough. I was on the (Jaguars) practice squad and played in preseason. “As a competitor, you always think you can get it done. The coaches were good to me, and I met good people.†Don’t bet against the competitive fire staying lit for Desormeaux on the sidelines. It’s always been that way. * * * * * Napier Adds Desormeaux To Ragin’ Cajuns Football Staff Jeff Schneider, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications 12/21/2017 LAFAYETTE, La. – New Louisiana head football coach Billy Napier has announced that one of the all-time greats in Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns football history has been added to his staff as Michael Desormeaux has been named an assistant coach on Thursday. His position on the staff has yet to be determined. “I’m extremely excited about bringing Mike Desormeaux on board with our new staff,” Napier said. “Mike has great relationships and experience right here in our backyard in Acadiana and will be pivotal to keeping the best in this state at home in Lafayette. He is one of our own, a true Ragin’ Cajun and has tremendous passion for this community, the University and football program. We are excited about Mike, his wife Lindsey and their two children Thomas and Elle joining our team!” Desormeaux brings two years of experience with Louisiana after serving as the running backs coach in 2017 and the wide receivers coach in 2016. Under Desormeaux, Louisiana finished third in the Sun Belt Conference in rushing in 2017 averaging 183.7 yards per game. He developed red-shirt freshman and All-Sun Belt Third Team selection Trey Regas into one of the top rushers in the nation as he ranked 42nd in the country averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Ragas ranked towards the top of the Sun Belt in rushing touchdowns (9), rushing yards (813) and rushing yards per game (73.9). In his first season on the staff, Desormeaux was instrumental in the development of first-team All-Sun Belt Conference wide receiver Al Riles. Desormeaux also mentored a trio of young receivers – Keenan Barnes, Ja’Marcus Bradley and Michael Jacquet. Desormeaux, who ranks in the top 10 in both rushing and passing at Louisiana, spent the last three seasons at Lafayette’s Ascension Episcopal School where he led the Blue Gators to an 11-2 record and the Division IV state semifinals in 2015. He took over an AES program in 2013 that finished 0-9 the year before and led them to five wins in his first season and eight victories in 2014. During his career at Louisiana, Desormeaux passed for 3,893 yards and 23 TDs while rushing for 2,843 yards and 16 TDs. He was named All-Sun Belt Conference three times as an all-purpose specialist before being named the SBC’s Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 1,876 yards while rushing for 1,035 yards. He became the eighth quarterback in NCAA history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons after rushing for 1,141 yards as a junior in 2007. Under his guidance, the Cajuns offense led the SBC in total yards, rushing yards, yards per game, rushing yards per game, yards per play, third down conversion percentage and touchdowns. Desormeaux led the Sun Belt in passing efficiency in SBC only games and broke Jake Delhomme’s single-season school record for passing efficiency. After concluding his career with the Ragin’ Cajuns, Desormeaux signed a free agent contract as a defensive back with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars where he was a member of the practice squad. Desormeaux was a star athlete at Catholic-New Iberia, where he later got his coaching start as an assistant coach. He lettered four years in both football and basketball, as well as five years in track and three in baseball. He led Catholic HS to three straight Class 3A playoff appearances and three straight district championships in football. Desormeaux earned first-team Class 3A All-State honors in 2003 and was named the All-District offensive MVP. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2010-13. A member of the 2009 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society, Desormeaux graduated in December 2008 with a cumulative grade-point-average of 3.91. Desormeaux and his wife, Lindsey, are the parents of two children, Thomas and Elle. DESORMEAUX AT A GLANCE COACHING EXPERIENCE * * * * * Current Football Running Backs Coach Former Football: AES’ Desormeaux earns Coach of the Year Honors Trey Labat glabat@theadvertiser.com The Advertiser, Jan. 10, 2016 Implementing an identity, a tradition into a football team can often be the most difficult thing when starting a program. It isn’t just about flashy offenses, or rugged defenses; it’s about building something that is replicable from year to year and establishing a foothold among some of the area’s elite teams. After a few short years at the helm Ascension Episcopal coach Mike Desormeaux has done just that it seems for the Blue Gators. The current group of seniors who just finished a magical season where they fell just short of playing in the Superdome for the first time in school history went without a win their freshman season. “They are a special group,” Desormeaux said before the Blue Gators game against St. Mary’s. “Everything they’ve gotten they’ve earned.” Desormeaux said throughout the season that the Blue Gators were one of the hardest working groups of football players he’s ever been around. The former Ragin’ Cajuns quarterback helped the development of senior quarterback Jake Arceneaux who had a career season in his last year on the field for the Blue Gators. The two developed a bond throughout the last three seasons as Desormeaux watched Arceneaux blossom into a Division I quarterback for his alma mater. “He’s improved all the way across the board. His game has just gotten so much better as the year has gone on,” Desormeaux said. “It’s hard to say (what his best trait is), but I think his leadership just has more value for us than anything else. He’s positive even when things aren’t going great. He’s a coach out there on the field for us.” It was a season of firsts for Ascension Episcopal: reaching the semifinals, sharing a district title and beating 7-1A giant Vermilion Catholic. And with one of the best coaching staffs in the area, including former Acadiana coach Scott McCullough running the defense, Desormeaux has the Blue Gators set up for success for years to come. “I would put our coaching staff’s work ethic up there with any other team in the state†Desormeaux said. “(McCullough) does a great job every week and I feel like we always have a good game plan. That’s one thing about coach McCullough, you’re not going to outwork him.†* * * * * * * Former Football: Desormeaux lands coaching job Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • July 12, 2010 UL head football coach Rickey Bustle thinks quite highly of former Ragin’ Cajuns quarterback Michael Desormeaux. In fact, Bustle considers Desormeaux to be the most impressive collegiate student-athlete he’s worked with in more than 30 years of coaching. Bustle was pleased to hear last week that Desormeaux recently joined him in the coaching fraternity. After two years in the professional football ranks, Desormeaux is now an assistant coach for the football team at his alma mater, Catholic High School in New Iberia. “That doesn’t surprise me at all,” said Bustle, who coached Desormeaux at UL from 2005-08. “I always said that Mike is the greatest young person I’ve ever coached as far as having everything you want in a football player from competitiveness, grittiness, passion and talent. “I think he’s going to be a good young coach, and it’s going to be nice to have him so close by.” The coaching opportunity presented itself after the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders released Desormeaux in June. After telling family members he had been let go, Desormeaux called his old high school friend Tucker Lewis, now an assistant coach at Catholic High. Desormeaux joked with Lewis about helping him get a job. Lewis soon spoke with first-year Catholic High head coach Keith Menard, who in turn contacted Desormeaux. A couple other high schools expressed interest in Desormeaux, but he wasn’t going to turn down a chance to coach at his alma mater. In addition to working with the Catholic High quarterbacks, Desormeaux said he would be in charge of powerlifting and the weight room for football. He will also serve as an assistant coach for the school’s softball team. “This is a very special opportunity for me and to be honest something I never anticipated to happen,” Desormeaux said. “It’s a thrill to be back at my old school as a coach. The kids are great, and I really enjoy being around them.” Not too long ago Desormeaux was a multi-sport standout at Catholic High in football, baseball, basketball and track. In football Desormeaux led the Panthers to three district championships and set the program’s career record for passing yards — as well as earning first team all-state honors as a senior — before signing with the Cajuns in 2004. By the end of his time at UL, Desormeaux was third in program history in career rushing yards (2,843), fourth in career total offensive yards (6,736) and sixth in career passing yards (3,893). He saw action at quarterback, receiver and defensive back as well as on special teams in college. Desormeaux, who helped the Cajuns win a share of the 2005 Sun Belt Conference title as a redshirt freshman, made his biggest impact in his final year on campus. As a senior he was named the 2008 Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in total offense as UL finished second in the league. After college, Desormeaux moved to safety and spent five months in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009. That was followed by two CFL stints with Calgary before Desormeaux decided to hang up his cleats and get into coaching. “I think every guy that is trying to play professional sports sometimes realizes that it’s just not worth it anymore,” Desormeaux said. “I could have tried to keep playing, but I wasn’t willing to go to camps and workouts every year when the odds aren’t very good for me to make it, especially since I’m married and my family is here.” Sometime down the line, Desormeaux admits that he would like to coach in college. For now he is focused on making the transition from playing football to coaching it. He will also get the chance to watch younger brother Matt play football as a senior for the Cajuns this fall, which makes his return home even more special. “I would love to be a college football coach someday, but if that never happens I’d be OK with being a high school football coach,” Desormeaux said. “Wherever I am, I just want to make sure I’m having fun because football is too much work to not have fun.” Bustle expects good things from Desormeaux in his new profession. “I think he will be able to give a lot of things to a young high school athlete because he just finished playing and has so many experiences to draw on,” Bustle said. “He is going to be a great leader for young people.” * * * * * * * * * * Football: Desormeaux signs with Calgary of CFL + Bustle Update on Fenroy Joshua Parrott � jparrott@theadvertiser.com � October 9, 2009 Following a five-month stint as a safety with the Jacksonville Jaguars, former UL quarterback Michael Desormeaux decided to take a chance in Canada playing his old position. Desormeaux, waived from Jacksonville’s practice squad two weeks ago, signed a contract Tuesday to join the practice roster of the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders. The deal is for one year starting next season, with an option for a second year. Calgary won the 2008 Grey Cup trophy as the CFL’s postseason champion. “Jacksonville talked about bringing me back (this year), but with the way everything was happening I didn’t really see that happening,” Desormeaux said. “I didn’t want to just sit around and wait and hope to get picked up by somebody. Basically, I came up here for next year. I can start learning everything and give myself a chance to make the roster and put myself in position to be ready to play next year.” According to Desormeaux, Calgary was the only CFL team with which he could negotiate after the franchise claimed his rights. The Stamps (8-5) have five games left in the regular season but sit atop the Western Division with the league’s second-best overall record going into Monday’s game at Montreal. Desormeaux shined in his final two years as the Cajuns’ starting quarterback, rushing for 1,000 yards in 2007 and ’08. As a senior he was the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league in total offense � passing for 1,876 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushing for 1,043 yards and five scores. Calgary has some history with the Cajuns. Former All-Sun Belt offensive lineman Jesse Newman is on the team’s injury list. Two other former UL players – receiver Derrick Smith and tailback Tyrell Fenroy, the 2008 Sun Belt Player of the Year – agreed to contracts with the club in the summer but are no longer with the team. “I’m really happy for him,” UL coach Rickey Bustle said. “I know it’s been kind of a whirlwind thing because he had gotten kind of settled (in Jacksonville), but he’s really excited about it and I’m proud of him.” Calgary’s current starting quarterback is 2008 Grey Cup MVP Henry Burris. The veteran is tied for first in the league this year in touchdown passes (18) and interceptions (12), and is third in passing yards (3,445) and passer rating (87.9). He is also in the top 10 in rushing yards (435) and total touchdowns (seven rushing). Former Iowa standout Drew Tate was elevated to Calgary’s No. 2 spot earlier in the week. That bumped last year’s back-up, former University of Houston and Texas State quarterback Barrick Nealy, to the third-string unit. “We do have a veteran and established quarterback who has done a lot of great things in the league,” Desormeaux said. “Behind him there are a couple of young guys who have a few years in the league. Hopefully, I’ll fit in somewhere. I’m just trying to learn right now, so that next year when I come into camp I’m in a good spot.” Bustle added that he spoke Wednesday with Fenroy, the all-time leading rusher in school, state and Sun Belt history. Fenroy signed in June with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the newly formed United Football League and showed up for training camp on Sept. 9 but now believes football can wait. He is enrolled in classes at UL in an attempt to complete requirements for his undergraduate degree in criminal justice. “I could be up in Las Vegas right now, but I decided not to for many different reasons,” Fenroy said. “I want to graduate before I pursue football again. Getting my degree is a great foundation. There are no guarantees with football, but having my degree would give me a guarantee.” After taking 12 hours of classes this semester, Fenroy said he would need 18 more hours to get his degree. He is also currently working as a corrections officer for the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and is interested in eventually working for the FBI. As a senior in 2008, Fenroy became the seventh player in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 yards in four separate seasons and was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award. He signed as a rookie free agent with the Chicago Bears but was waived soon after rookie mini-camp in May. Fenroy agreed to terms with Calgary in the CFL in June but struck a deal a few days later with the Locomotives, who opened their six-game season Thursday night against the California Redwoods. The Detroit Lions brought in Fenroy for a tryout in late August, but the team instead signed former Auburn tailback Tristan Davis. After a brief stay in Las Vegas, Fenroy decided that football could wait. “I’m not giving up football. I’m just putting it on hold,” Fenroy said. “Once I get my degree, I want to go back and play football again.” * * * * * * * * * Desormeaux recovering from accident January 13, 2006 – Cajun QB could miss spring drills after ATV mishap. Dan McDonald University of Louisiana sophomore-to-be quarterback Michael Desormeaux arrived at home in New Iberia Thursday and continues recuperation from an all-terrain vehicle accident Saturday in Austin, Texas. “We were very concerned for Michael’s health and well-being,” said Cajun head coach Rickey Bustle. “After hearing some of the details, he’s very lucky that it wasn’t worse.” Bustle said that Desormeaux had no broken bones, jaw or teeth damage and no eye damage. However, he said that the number of stitches on his injuries were “in the hundreds.” Desormeaux’s injuries included a severe laceration on the front and right side of his face, and plastic surgery will reportedly be necessary. His status for the Cajuns’ spring football drills beginning in March is questionable, although he is expected to be able to take part in limited conditioning drills. “I talked to him Sunday night, and he sounded very good,” said UL offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Rob Christophel. “He’s planning on being there when school starts Tuesday. From what he said and from what we’ve heard, he’s pretty fortunate. A couple of inches either way and he could be dealing with something a lot more serious.” Desormeaux started the next four games after starter Jerry Babb’s injury, including wins at Middle Tennessee and against Troy which began UL’s five-game win streak to end the season. He finished as the team’s second-leading rusher with 487 yards, a 5.6 average and three scores, and completed 62-of-117 passes (53.0 percent) for 597 yards. “He might have been our most valuable player last year,” Bustle said following the season, “with the way he had to step in and the things he was able to do.” Originally published January 13, 2006 EIGHT CAJUNS ON ALL-SUN BELT FOOTBALL TEAM December 06, 2005 – Matt Hebert, Sports Information – NEW ORLEANS – Winning a share of the Sun Belt title produced eight Ragin’ Cajuns on the 2005 All-Sun Belt team, as announced by the league office on Tuesday. It marks the most all-conference selections for Louisiana-Lafayette since 11 Cajuns were named to the 1995 All-Big West team. The Sun Belt Co-Champion Cajuns were led by three players on the first team. Greg Hodges and Brandon Cox were each named first team offensive lineman, while Michael Desormeaux was on the first team in the all purpose slot. Hodges and Cox led a Cajuns offensive line that produced a school-record 2,797 rushing yards and 34 rushing touchdowns. UL’s 254.4 rushing yards per game is seventh in the nation and the best average in school history. The Cajuns averaged 291.4 rushing yards per game in Sun Belt Conference games � crushing the league record of 245.1. Desormeaux was elected in the all purpose slot for his combination of talents. The redshirt freshman began the season as the Cajuns #2 quarterback and as a regular on the Cajuns punt, punt return and hands teams. When an injury to starter Jerry Babb occurred in the Cajuns fourth game of the season, Desormeaux stepped in to run the Cajuns offense. In four starts, Desormeaux threw for 368 yards on 36-of-69 passing (52.2%) and ran 48 times for 351 yards (7.3ypc) and two touchdowns. He finished the season with 597 yards passing and 487 yards rushing. Three players earned second team honors, true freshman running back Tyrell Fenroy, sophomore offensive lineman Jesse Newman and senior defensive end Eugene Kwarteng. Fenroy was also honored as the Sun Belt’s Newcomer of the Year. The New Orleans area native took over as the Cajuns starter in the third game (only 16-58 yards through first two games). He was the catalyst for the Cajuns season-ending five-game winning streak, posting 622 yards and 10 TD’s (5.7ypc, 124.4ypg). Fenroy became the first Cajuns running back to ever gain 1,000 yards. His 12 rushing TD’s are the third most rushing scores by a true freshman in the nation. He is the only true freshman in school history to post at least two 100(+)-yard rushing performances � doing it five times. Fenroy finished second (Patrick Cobbs) in rushing ypg in conference play, with 109.4 ypg and 11 touchdowns. Kwarteng won the Cajuns Top Defensive Point Award for defensive production in 2005. He tied for the team lead with four sacks (all in conference play) and led the squad with seven tackles for loss (6.5 in conference play). Kwarteng had two of the Cajuns school-record nine sacks at Middle Tennessee. He ranked sixth on the team with 43 tackles, 32 of which came in SBC play. Junior defensive end Anthony Hills and junior cornerback Michael Adams landed honorable mention honors. Hills tied for the team lead with four sacks and third with 4.5 tackles for loss. He led the squad with two forced fumbles. Adams was fifth on the team in tackles and led the team with two interceptions, while adding a fumble recovery. He blocked two kicks, a field goal vs. FAU and an extra point at #2 Texas.
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