Introduction by Lee Brecheen
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| D'Nerius Antoine |
April 28, 2011 - One of the most gifted hitters and most gifted football players that I saw in the state last year was D’Nerius Antoine from Westgate High School. I was able to see Antoine play a lot as a sophomore at Westgate and he mostly played RB in 2009 and to me was a DI Running Back. When I saw D’Nerius play in 2010 as a junior he played a lot of Strong Safety also. After watching many games in two years at both positions this kid can line up on either side of the ball for many DI programs and be a star at either position. Antoine has the gift of reading and reacting and getting to the ball so well every play and he loves to lay the wood (hit) on the opposing team. When he runs the ball he has great hips for a guy 6-0, 193 pounds, and he’s super tough in open field and running through the tackles.
I compare his build and running style to a young kid who I remember played some Safety and QB for Hahnville few years back and his name is Laron Landry, current Washington Redskin and former LSU All American. Antoine has a lean tough athlete build like Laron and could easily weigh 210 to 215 one day and still run in the 4.5 range. This kid like Laron doesn’t time super fast in high school (true 4.6), but when he gets to college he will run in the low 4.5’s like Laron. He looks 4.4 in pads and in a full contact game.
I would say because of his size and ability to hit this kid is a bona fide SEC football player, and if he played RB he could do that for many other DI programs. D’Nerius Antoine has a 2.7 GPA in the classroom and just took his ACT this April. In Basketball he averaged over 10 points a game his sophomore year. An interesting note; he did not grow up wanting to play for a certain college, and is wide open when it comes to football and picking a school.
Enjoy the interview below by writer Taylor Williams.
Interview by Taylor Williams
LAFM: You’re listed as an athlete, so what positions do you play?
DA: Mainly safety and running back.
LAFM: Are you being recruited for both, and which do you see yourself sticking to in college?
DA: Just as a safety.
LAFM: How long have you been playing, and what have you come to like most about it?
DA: I was seven when I first started playing. My uncle and parents kept pushing me to play a sport, and I first started out playing baseball, but I gave that up for football.
LAFM: So are there any other sports you still play and are being recruited for?
DA: I play basketball at Westgate, but I got injured this year, and football is still my main sport.
LAFM: What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses to improve as a player?
DA: My speed is both. I’m pretty quick out there and can cover ground but I’m also always trying to get quicker.
LAFM: Are you originally from Louisiana, and are you partial towards staying close to home?
DA: Yes, sir I’m originally from here, and I would like to stay in-state.
LAFM: Has football always been big in your family, and will you be the first to play in college?
DA: Yes, sir, its always been big but I’ll be the first.
LAFM: So what schools have you gotten looks from at this point?
DA: Texas A&M, ULL, ULM, and Tulane.
LAFM: Of those schools, which is you top pick, and which of them will you be attending camps for?
DA: ULL is probably my top pick, and I haven’t been to any camps yet but am going to the Under Armour Camp in Metairie.
LAFM: Have you thought about a major for college?
DA: No, sir, not yet.
LAFM: What are some of your goals for next season, but individually and collectively?
DA: Really just to get better and to get past the semi-finals, which is the furthest we’ve ever made it. I think we’re in good shape to do that this year.
LAFM: Talk a little bit about what its been like playing for your head coach.
DA: Honestly, it’s been a great experience playing for Coach [Brian] Fine. He’s a good coach and makes you work hard, and I’ve really enjoyed playing for him.
LAFM: What rivalries do you get most fired up for?
DA: New Iberia, every time we play them.
LAFM: What about a game that stands out for exceptional personal performance?
DA: Against Northside this year I played particularly well; I had 144 rushing yards and a touchdown, and also two interceptions.
LAFM: Last thing, what are your current height, weight, and forty time?
DA: 6 feet, 193 pounds, and my most recent forty time is about a 4.6.
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