Marshall Delesdernier 2003 . . .

[Louisiana]

Walked on at Louisiana

[NewsCopy]

Delesdernier makes quick rise from walk-on to starting lineman

LOUISIANA La. -- When Marshall Delesdernier sat in the University of Louisiana at Lafayette student section last year, he was transfixed, watching the line of scrimmage.
That's where Delesdernier figured he might play one day, if the ULL coaching staff gave him the chance.

A year later Delesdernier -- a long shot walk-on from New Orleans -- is not only playing, but he's also a starting ULL offensive lineman.

That promotion came after he spent nearly half the season as ULL's sack leader defensively.

Delesdernier's rise from student to football starter is so meteoric that he's almost stunned.

"I really don't know how to explain it other than right now, it's just a real good dream," said Delesdernier, a left guard.

ULL coaches said Delesdernier will start again when the Cajuns host the University of Idaho at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Delesdernier, a three-time, heavyweight state wrestling champion at Jesuit High, said it was always his dream to play Division I-A football.

Two years ago Delesdernier didn't know how quickly that might be, after tearing the ACL in his right knee during his senior-year at Jesuit.

Delesdernier enrolled as a freshman student last year at ULL and spoke with the Cajuns' coaching staff about trying out as a walk-on.

During the 2002 Christmas Holidays, Deslesdernier returned to Jesuit High to work out on his own for two hours daily in preparation for ULL's February walk-on tryouts and timing runs.

His rehabilitation and speed in the 40-yard dash evidently impressed ULL's coaches, because only Delesdernier and one other student out of 40 walk-on candidates were awarded a chance to go to spring training with the Cajuns.

The rest of the story

By BOBBY ARDOIN
Special to The Advocate

[Pirogue]

Walked on at Louisiana

[Pirogue]

Delesdernier makes quick rise from walk-on to starting lineman

LOUISIANA La. -- When Marshall Delesdernier sat in the University of Louisiana at Lafayette student section last year, he was transfixed, watching the line of scrimmage.
That's where Delesdernier figured he might play one day, if the ULL coaching staff gave him the chance.

A year later Delesdernier -- a long shot walk-on from New Orleans -- is not only playing, but he's also a starting ULL offensive lineman.

That promotion came after he spent nearly half the season as ULL's sack leader defensively.

Delesdernier's rise from student to football starter is so meteoric that he's almost stunned.

"I really don't know how to explain it other than right now, it's just a real good dream," said Delesdernier, a left guard.

ULL coaches said Delesdernier will start again when the Cajuns host the University of Idaho at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Delesdernier, a three-time, heavyweight state wrestling champion at Jesuit High, said it was always his dream to play Division I-A football.

Two years ago Delesdernier didn't know how quickly that might be, after tearing the ACL in his right knee during his senior-year at Jesuit.

Delesdernier enrolled as a freshman student last year at ULL and spoke with the Cajuns' coaching staff about trying out as a walk-on.

During the 2002 Christmas Holidays, Deslesdernier returned to Jesuit High to work out on his own for two hours daily in preparation for ULL's February walk-on tryouts and timing runs.

His rehabilitation and speed in the 40-yard dash evidently impressed ULL's coaches, because only Delesdernier and one other student out of 40 walk-on candidates were awarded a chance to go to spring training with the Cajuns.

The rest of the story

By BOBBY ARDOIN
Special to The Advocate