Former STM stars battle for Louisiana QB supremacy
<blockquote><p align=justify>LAFAYETTE — Jon Van Cleave is gone. Erik Rekieta is mending from injury.
That leaves a pair of former St. Thomas More standouts getting all the attention at quarterback today as Louisiana begins spring football drills.
Junior squadman Matt Lane and redshirt freshman Jerry Babb will get every chance to grasp coach Rickey Bustle’s offense and show they can operate it before the April 12 Cajun Bowl.
“Erik won’t go through spring with us,” Bustle said of Rekieta, who stepped in for Van Cleave often enough in 2002 to hit 65-of-113 passes for 652 yards and 4 touchdowns.
“He’s still rehabbing from the surgery on his elbow, and then the other day he got his hand slammed in a car door and broke his little finger. When he gets healthy, he’s obviously in the mix.”
For now, though, the job falls to two players who didn’t attempt a pass last season.
“We’ll start Jerry out with the first group,” Bustle said, “and Matt will be with the second group. They’re both more athletic than we had, and we’ll let our quarterbacks be more involved.
<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/sports/html/D9D163E6-10B3-4134-A127-1BF69278102B.shtml">The rest of the story</a></center></blockquote>South Louisiana Publishing
Bruce Brown
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“But, we’re definitely going to have them in black jerseys out there. We don’t want them getting hurt.”
Van Cleave hit 169-of-316 passes for 2,081 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2002, but was ill-suited to be the mobile leader Bustle sought and left the program.
“I really want to see what Jerry and Matt can do,” Bustle said. “I’m not claiming starters anywhere out there right now. They’re going to get all the work, and that will help them both. From here on, we’re going to have three or four guys to work with.
“Jerry was obviously recruited to be in the mold of what we’re looking for, but Matt will be there, too. He has asked to be on a couple of special teams this year, and there are some things we’re doing to help him. “He’s a bright player. I’d like to see him be more of a reactor.”
Bustle, who tutored Michael Vick at Virginia Tech, knows there will be plenty of teaching this spring.
“With young quarterbacks, you do things a little simpler, a little slower,” he said. “They’re both going to be brought along.”
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CAJUNGURU's Second Evaluation
<p align=justify>Guru’s Recruiting Evaluation
DB’s and LB’S
In today’s evaluation, we will look at both the DB and LB positions. In keeping with this years theme of recruiting for immediate needs and building for the future, the DB signees achieve both.
The Cajuns will try and replace two prime time DB’s in Charles Tillman and Taylor. Both will be playing on Sunday this year. Coach Bustle and staff went out and signed three JC DB recruits to fill this immediate need.
Antwain Spann and Ricky Thomas are considered the jewels in this group. Spann was Miss. JC All-State and All-Region. He was also the MVP of the Miss. JC All-Star game this past year. Spann is consider the better coverage corner of the two and has solid speed with a 4.4 40-yard dash. If you want speed and then some, Thomas is your man. Thomas was All-State in track in high School and is very fast with a 4.3 40-yard dash. He scored seven career TD’s by punt and kick-off return or interceptions. He is not as polished as Spann in coverage, but is working on his techniques during spring. C.C.
Brown is the other JC Signee and is considered very solid. Brown at 6-2,205 played close to the line a lot in the defense he played in at JC. He is considered a good tackler, but he will need to work on his coverage to help the Cajuns this year.
Lamar Morgan is considered the diamond of the Cajuns high school DB signees. Such schools as Houston, Georgia Tech And Arkansas recruited Morgan. He chose the Cajuns after committing to Georgia Tech. How often can the Cajuns really say that about any signee. Morgan has great range and totaled 124 tackles, seven int’s and three fumble recoveries in his senior season. He was named Texas All-State and All-Region.
Another DB signee that is considered solid is Torres Kingsby. Kingsby did not get a lot of ink in Haynesville, but is very fast with a 4.3 40-yard dash. Kingsby was named All-State his senior year. Both Jarrett Jones and Michael Adams are good athletes, but will need time to develop.
2003 DB SIGNEES
DB Michael Adams 5-8 170 (Dallas Tex. J.F.Kimball)
DB C.C. Brown 6-2 205 ( Miss. Delta JC)
DB Jarrett Jones 6-0 185 (New Orleans, Karr)
DB Torres Kingsby 5-10 180 (Haynesville,La.)
DB Lamar Morgan 6-2 185 (Copperas Cove, Tex.)
DB Antwain Spann 6-0 185 (Gulf Coast Miss. JC)
DB Ricky Thomas 6-0 197 (Butler JC, Kansas)
2003 LB SIGNEES
LB Tre’ Green 6-0 215 (Bastrop, La.)
LB Mark Risher 6-2 225 (STM, Lafayette, La.)
LB Joe Scott 6-3 235 (Pearl River JC. Miss.)
Coach Bustle and his staff went out during recruiting and looked to add depth to the LB position. With most of the returning starters and reserves returning, the staff wanted to sign and develop a few athletes at the LB position.
Joe Scott is a solid addition and is a true middle linebacker at 6-3, 235 lbs. Scott originally signed with Southern Miss. Out of high school and transferred after one year to JC because of academics.
Tre Green and Mark Risher are the two high school signees, with Green being the more highly thought of out of the two. Green is very fast with a 4.57 40-yard dash and he played LB, safety And defensive end. Green will concentrate on the OLB position as he redshirts this year. Risher comes from the very solid program of Saint Thomas More high in Lafayette. He was very active on the field during his prep career with a high school record of 335 tackles during his time on the grid. Risher will also redshirt a year and learn the defense. Later this week I cover the offense side of the ball.
Re: CAJUNGURU's Second Evaluation
Quote:
Originally posted by CAJUNGURU
...How often can the Cajuns really say that about any signee...
In the past not very often. I would like to try getting used to it.
ps great evaluation, thanks.
Re: CAJUNGURU's Second Evaluation
Quote:
Originally posted by CAJUNGURU
Joe Scott is a solid addition and is a true middle linebacker at 6-3, 235 lbs. Scott originally signed with Southern Miss. Out of high school and transferred after one year to JC because of academics.
Just to add my two cents here;
Scott didn't leave b/c of academics; he ended up copping an attitude and Bower told him to walk.
I'm really hoping it was just a short-term thing (maybe something going on at home?). If so, and he's got himself pulled back together, he should be a really good one for you. Hope it works out.
