Burnt roux: Don Hargroder
<center><a href="https://forumeus.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=22388#post22388"><b> Complete list of 2005 verbal commitments </b></a></center><hr>
SwampFox,you can also add former STM safety Hargroder 6-2,190.He spent this past year at Virginia Military Academy.
Don Hargroder commits to Cajuns
<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. - Don Hargroder calls his last four months at Hargrave Military Academy the roughest of his life.
"That was the hardest thing I ever did," said the former St. Thomas More football and track standout, "but it helped me a lot."
What it did was allow Hargroder the chance to learn a new position and get his academic house in order, and because of what he accomplished this fall he's headed home.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder gave University of Louisiana head coach Rickey Bustle a verbal commitment Wednesday night to join his ever-growing 2005 football recruiting class.
"It will be really nice to come back and play in my hometown," Hargroder said Thursday. "I like coach Bustle and I like what he's doing with the program. What they're doing may not show yet, but they're coming around and I'm going to like being able to help them."
Hargroder was an All-Parish, All-Acadiana and All-State selection as a senior defensive end at STM. But despite those accolades, impressive tackle numbers and a reputation for making big plays, colleges weren't beating down his door because of his size and borderline test scores.
He's taken care of that now. While at Hargrave as a post-graduate, he moved to free safety and had a standout season in helping lead the Chatham, Va., school of coach Robert Prunty to a 9-3 overall record.
"That doesn't surprise me," said STM head coach Jim Hightower. "He could have played anywhere on the field. He's tough, strong, fast, mean, all that you could ever want in a football player."
<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041217/SPORTS/412170341/1006">The rest of the story</a>
Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com <!--
"I thought the year went really well," Hargroder said of his season at Hargrave. "All the coaches I talked to were impressed with the changes I made and that I could pick up a new position that fast. I talked to coach Bustle a lot during the year and he always asked me how I did and how things were going.
"The first week was a little rough, but after that you didn't have much choice. Either you picked it up and got it, or you were out of luck, but I ended up starting all year."
More importantly, Hargroder upped his test scores and compiled a 4.0 grade point average at Hargrave.
"Going there got me eligible," he said. "It kind of gave me a sense of what it's like to be away from home, and it helped me a lot with being more disciplined."
Hargroder was recruited by Tennessee, Bowling Green and Kent State among others while at Hargrave, which counts Cie Grant and Jon Sullivan of the New Orleans Saints, Torry Holt of the St. Louis Rams and Anthony Davis of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers among its products. Hargroder said playing close to home was the most important factor in becoming the Ragin' Cajuns' 13th verbal commitment.
Hargroder will enroll at UL for the spring semester, and does not lose a year of eligibility since Hargrave is a prep school. He said the fall at Hargrave and the opportunity to go through the Cajuns' spring drills will both be big benefits.
"It was better competition at a little faster pace, just like a step up," he said of his fall season. "It'll help me a lot, and I know the spring will, too. It's just a matter of picking things up. I want to be starting next year. I have a lot of confidence in myself."
Hargroder could also be an asset to the Cajun track squad as a high jumper, going 7-0 as a senior and winning the state indoor title, finishing second in the state outdoors and fourth in the National Scholastic Indoor Championships. But right now, he's concentrating on football.
"He's just a fierce competitor," Hightower said. "You talk about a guy whose motor is running ... he's got the highest-running motor I've ever seen."
Originally published December 17, 2004
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Re: UL Transfer to Ole Miss
Quote:
Originally Posted by OleMissCajunFan
I'm sure this has been posted on before, but I guess I missed it. Looks like Don Hargroder has transferred to Ole Miss. On the Rivals site there were some questions about him...why he left UL, what his potential is as an athlete, etc. Any thoughts from you guys? Thanks!
He wasn't going to get any playing time...
so he transfered....
Re: UL Transfer to Ole Miss
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pirogue
He wasn't going to get any playing time...
so he transfered....
Thanks Pirogue...I have to admit, I'm a little wary, but we'll see! Thanks again!
Re: UL Transfer to Ole Miss
Quote:
Originally Posted by OleMissCajunFan
Thanks Pirogue...I have to admit, I'm a little wary, but we'll see! Thanks again!
i saw him recently and he definately has put on alot of weight they must have a good weight program up there in oxford!
Re: UL Transfer to Ole Miss
Quote:
Originally Posted by crazycajun
i saw him recently and he definately has put on alot of weight they must have a good weight program up there in oxford!
Thanks crazy cajun...hey, I'll be moving back to Lafayette for good in about 5 weeks...just in time to put on my red and white to travel to LSUx to see some football. Can't wait to drink a cold pop with you...
and thanks too, campo. I hope he sticks it out...we'll see!
Re: UL Transfer to Ole Miss
Quote:
Originally Posted by OleMissCajunFan
Thanks crazy cajun...hey, I'll be moving back to Lafayette for good in about 5 weeks...just in time to put on my red and white to travel to LSUx to see some football. Can't wait to drink a cold pop with you...
and thanks too, campo. I hope he sticks it out...we'll see!
good deal sorry i never got back to you about that zydeco band i lost your number and i kept forgetting to call jed and get it but i to can't wait to drink a cold pop wih you also. Heading to tarpon rodeo i'll drink one there for you