What University of Louisiana at Lafayette running back Tyrell Fenroy does on the field has always been more important than what he says off it.

That was the case when he toiled in the shadow of a much more famous player in St. John Parish, and it’s remained the same even after Fenroy emerged as one of top freshmen running backs in the country last season.

“Whatever Tyrell has to say, he does his talking on the football field,” Ragin’ Cajuns quarterback Jerry Babb said. “He really doesn’t say too much. If you ask him a question, he’ll answer you. But he definitely does his talking when he puts his uniform on and steps on the field.”

Loudly and clearly.

The soft-spoken Fenroy doesn’t function with the abrasive swagger of the modern-day, ESPN-highlight-driven running backs. Once the ball is in his hands, though, his message doesn’t require much interpretation.

Fenroy, who played at St. Charles Catholic in LaPlace while Ryan Perrilloux was gaining national attention up the road in Reserve, runs with a no-nonsense style — typically making one cut and heading where he needs to go.

“I’m not a back who likes to juke a lot,” Fenroy said. “One of my biggest strengths is reading the offensive line and seeing where I’ve got room to run. That’s the way I’ve run ever since I was in little league.

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By RANDY ROSETTA
Advocate sportswriter