by Lee Brecheen
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| Jeremy Doucette (photo property of Louisiana Football Magazine) |
May 24, 2011 - Cecilia High School is in a small town located a few minutes before the city of Lafayette known for really good sports programs. Football always is a big hit on Friday nights and this year’s team has a player returning by the name of Jeremy Doucette, a Middle Linebacker who will be recruited by many schools by year’s end.
Jeremy is a very interesting prospect, who runs faster than he times, and is a kid who hasn’t scratched his potential yet as a player. Jeremy stands 6-1 and weighs 235 pounds of muscle. He runs a hand timed 4.8/40, but on a football field in the action and full pads he looks about 4.7 to 4.69 in the forty. Jeremy Doucette is a hammer against the run. He gobbles up tackles as a Linebacker and will be more suited to playing Middle because of his size and speed for that position. This is a kid that also comes in the game to play Fullback 15 to 20 plays a game to bring the power to the offense in blocking and ability to hammer a tough run across every now and then. Jeremy should hit 50 feet in the shot put this coming track season, and he also has played some basketball for the school in the past. If Jeremy signs with a IAA school I see him moving to Defensive End and if it’s a DI school playing Middle Linebacker. When you watch film of this kid you notice schools run away from his side or wherever he’s lined up.
If you look at this kid he has the DI body and it shows in the weight room, where he benches 315, squats 450 pounds and cleans close to 270 pounds. If I was a IAA school that needed a Defensive End or Middle Linebacker I would be sleeping on his doorstep to sign him in my program. The only reason he hasn’t been offered by a lot of DI schools early is because of his forty time.
In my opinion, if there’s one linebacking spot on a football field, where your forty doesn’t have to be 4.5 or 4.6, it’s the Middle Linebacking position. If you can read and react and you’re tough and strong you can do well at any level. This is a spot where most of the time you will be playing the run. The outside backer is more of a pass coverage guy and run support outside. I saw Jeremy on film 4 times for Cecilia High School in 2010, and I think he could be a great run stopper as a middle linebacker, and with the right weight gain and training he could get up to 250, and be a really good Defensive End in college.
I hope you enjoy the interview with Taylor Williams below.
Interview by Taylor Williams
LAFM: When did you first start playing football?
JD: I first started when I was twelve and in sixth grade.
LAFM: And what initially attracted you to it?
JD: Mostly just the contact of it, and my older brothers played and when they were playing I used to love to watch them and it just made me want to play.
LAFM: So football has always been a big part of your family?
JD: Always. My uncles all played too and they always used to tell me how I’ve got it in my blood, so I really wanted to play just so I could keep it going.
LAFM: What schools did you guys grow up rooting for?
JD: Mainly just LSU.
LAFM: And has anyone in your family ever played at the college level?
JD: Yeah, [LSU wide receiver} Early Doucet, my cousin.
LAFM: You knew you’d become a player eventually, but maybe not necessarily a linebacker. What do you like most about the game from that standpoint?
JD: Yeah, you know as middle linebacker I’m able to just see and say what we need to do and help the other guys. Whatever defense we’re in, you know, after me watching film all the time, I’m able to tell them ‘watch this, watch that,’ and we can cause some stunts that work out to our advantage. It’s something I’ve been learning ever since I started playing linebacker.
LAFM: What are you currently working most to improve as a player?
JD: I would say quickness; I’m always trying to get quicker with my footwork. And I’m trying not to hesitate and play against my mind, like when I see the play and know what’s coming and I still doubt myself; I’m trying to trust my instincts more.
LAFM: As far as the team is concerned, what goals do you have for next year?
JD: Well you know every year we lose a good bit of seniors and people always think this year will be a struggle and we might not make the playoffs. And every year we have somebody step up and help us make it to the playoffs, and that’s what I want to do this year. We lost our speedster at running back, Montrel Carter, and now people are doubting us again. I want to make sure we prove them wrong and not just make it to the playoffs, but past the first round.
LAFM: Is that the furthest your team has ever made it?
JD: No, we made the second round my sophomore year.
LAFM: Can you talk a little about games or moments that are especially memorable at this point in your career?
JD: I would have to say that my junior year, I liked the way I played against Northside. We lost by eight points but our defense really did well; we caused five turnovers against them and I think we really did well, both me individually and as a team. But as a team altogether, I’d probably say my sophomore year against Teurlings Catholic. We were down a bunch and we came out in the second half and shut ‘em down.
LAFM: What game do you get most revved up for?
JD: Breaux Bridge, every year.
LAFM: What’s it been like playing for your head coach?
JD: It’s been good; he really cares about the guys personally, not just as players. Off the field, if you’re doing something wrong, he’ll come talk to you and not just let it fly, and that kind of keeps me going good and on track.
LAFM: Any other personal goals for next year?
JD: Becoming more of a leader. I just want to make sure I do everything right for the younger players on my team to look up too and not lead them the wrong way.
LAFM: Are you originally from Louisiana, and are you trying to stay close to home?
JD: Yeah, I’m from here, but it doesn’t really matter where I go as long as it’s a good school.
LAFM: Speaking of, what are some schools you’ve been recruited by?
JD: Texas A&M, LSU, Tulsa, ULL, and Southern.
LAFM: Have you been to any of those camps yet?
JD: No, but I’m going to the LSU camp and the Texas A&M camp, and maybe the ULL camp soon.
LAFM: And I assume LSU is your top choice?
JD: Either LSU or Texas A&M; I like both their defenses a lot. But I always like UL; the program’s just starting new and I like that about it.
LAFM: Do you see yourself sticking to linebacker at the college level?
JD: I would say so; either a middle linebacker or maybe some type of 3-4 outside backer, maybe even a defensive end, but linebacker’s my main spot.
LAFM: Do you play any other sports, and if so, are you being recruited for them?
JD: I run track, and I went to Southeastern one time for a meet and they talked to me a little bit about shot put.
LAFM: And finally, what are your current height, weight, and forty time?
JD: 6-1, 235, and a 4.8 flat.
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