The Book: 2007 Football

[NewsCopy]

DALLAS, October 11, 2007 - Selected as the best and the brightest from the college gridiron, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) today announced the 153 semifinalists for the 2007 Draddy Trophy, presented by HealthSouth, and the candidates for the NFF 2007 National Scholar-Athlete Awards. One of college football's most sought after and competitive awards, the Draddy Trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership. "The NFF is extremely proud of this year's group of semifinalists," said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. "Their substantial commitment to academic excellence, athletic prowess and community service is commendable, and it is our responsibility to honor them for their dedication on and off the playing field. These players are the greatest illustration of how we hope to build leaders through football." Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, semifinalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Established to honor former NFF Chairman Vincent dePaul Draddy, a Manhattan College quarterback who developed the Izod and Lacoste brands, the award comes with a 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship. This year's semifinalists maintain a 3.58 average GPA in diverse majors such as physics and ocean engineering. Sixty-six players have earned all- conference recognition on the field and 106 have served as captains. The offensive line produced the most nominees with 31 candidates. Receivers and linebackers followed with 26 nominees each. Offense outscored the defense with 80 to 53 hopefuls. Twenty special teams aspirants completed the contingent. Nominees hail from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA, including a record 67 contenders from the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A). The NFF Awards Committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 25. Each finalist will be recognized as part of the 2007 National Scholar- Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. The Draddy winner, who will receive a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship, will be announced at the NFF's Annual Awards Dinner on December 4 at the prestigious Waldorf=Astoria in New York City. A total distribution of more than $300,000 in scholarships will be awarded that evening. Launched in 1959, the NFF scholar-athlete program became the first initiative in history to credit a player for both academic and athletic accomplishments. The Draddy, first awarded in 1990, adds to the program's mystique. The rest of the story FootballFoundation.com

[RaisingCajun08]

Good to see a few guys coming back.

[CharlieK]

_ I'm so tired of people saying that suff like this. If they would have played Mike instead of Jerry we would have done this. Or Mike is the next Brian Mitchell.

Jerry started for four years. And was the starting quaterback for our first winning season since the wheel was invented. Could we leave Jerry out of it and just appreciate Mike. There is no way to make the claim if Mike was quaterback in year X, we would have done this.... or if Jerry was the quaterback we would have done that.

I work with a former G.A. from a Sunbelt school. He just left last year, and told me that Jerry made the Cajuns a tougher matchup.

I think Mike is unbelievable. Is he equivalent to Brian Mitchell, of course not, Brian Mitchell is the best player in UL football history bar none. (Insert Turbine random historical reference here). Brian Mitchell was a better player, on a better team, in a better era.

The problem is we don't have any wins to cheer for, so we are stuck debating about quaterbacks. Hopefully, we can get some guys around Mike next year, at his level so he can take the program to where it needs to go. _

And I'm tired of the Desmo is not a QB nonsense, but I think people have the right to post that OPINION. Nowhere in my post did I claim he was as good as Brain Mitchell.....so that part of your rant is off the mark. But since he was a runner, not a pure passer (as proven by how he was used in the NFL) the comparison is legitimate. Desmo doesn't have to be as good as he is to be a similar player with similar talents.

And that first winning season since the wheel was invented was a total bust untill we figured out we were a running team.....which happened when Desmo was at the helm. Fact. The rest is my opinion and if you are truely tired of seeing peoples opionions on the state of the football team, I suggest not seeking them out by reading a internet bulliten board.

Methinks I stepped on some STM toes....

[CrazyCajun]

_ And I'm tired of the Desmo is not a QB nonsense, but I think people have the right to post that OPINION. Nowhere in my post did I claim he was as good as Brain Mitchell.....so that part of your rant is off the mark. But since he was a runner, not a pure passer (as proven by how he was used in the NFL) the comparison is legitimate. Desmo doesn't have to be as good as he is to be a similar player with similar talents.

And that first winning season since the wheel was invented was a total bust untill we figured out we were a running team.....which happened when Desmo was at the helm. Fact. The rest is my opinion and if you are truely tired of seeing peoples opionions on the state of the football team, I suggest not seeking them out by reading a internet bulliten board.

Methinks I stepped on some STM toes.... _

Don't you know nothing negative about STM alum is allowed on here! How could some no armed kid from new iberia actually be better than a kid from cougar nation. i'm with you, i'm so tired of hearing that D-Mo is not a QB. Alot of people won't admit it but D-mo gave us our identity the year we shared the title. Mike was running everywhere and it was working. So when Jerry came back coach said you know what you have to do, get running! People are so negative about the year they just want someone to pin it on. Mike is not the person to pin it on, how about the defense that cant stop anyone. how about the dropped balls. How about the inexperienced line who has mike running for his life half the time. trust me if jerry was here we would still be 1-5.

[SlappyCajun]

For the record. I think Mike is a hell of a QB, I think he is the best one we have on the roster, no question. I also agree with you that if Jerry was the quaterback we would be 1 and 5.

I think plenty of negative stuff can be said about STM or any other high school talent. I have just one question and explain it to me. Mike played four games when Jerry was hurt. We went 1 and 3. I don't think the losses were Mike's fault. But how can we say we would have gone 8-4?

Please understand what I am saying. I agree that Mike is a good, no great quaterback, and I am not pinning any of the struggles on him, Fenroy or any member of our team. Just please say why we would have been 8 and 4.

Also, you did not say Mike was the next Brian Mitchell, and I apologize for insinuating that.

[RaginCajunPie]

Good for Lamar!!! Congrats! He really is a great guy both on and off the field!

[BeauCajun]

That 3.2 GPA requirement kept out qualifiers from all Louisiana schools except UL.
Congrats Lamar.

[LaGrid]

Way to geaux Lamar you showed me you a leader here recently. I knew you were smart but I didn't know how smart.

[MissingMandy]

_ Way to geaux Lamar you showed me you a leader here recently. I knew you were smart but I didn't know how smart. _

Great job Lamar!!!! Is it me or was the list missing all other Louisiana colleges. Something we should be proud of. Academics and giving back to the community is what life is about.

[CharlieK]

_ For the record. I think Mike is a hell of a QB, I think he is the best one we have on the roster, no question. I also agree with you that if Jerry was the quaterback we would be 1 and 5.

I think plenty of negative stuff can be said about STM or any other high school talent. I have just one question and explain it to me. Mike played four games when Jerry was hurt. We went 1 and 3. I don't think the losses were Mike's fault. But how can we say we would have gone 8-4?

Please understand what I am saying. I agree that Mike is a good, no great quaterback, and I am not pinning any of the struggles on him, Fenroy or any member of our team. Just please say why we would have been 8 and 4.

Also, you did not say Mike was the next Brian Mitchell, and I apologize for insinuating that. _

1-3, with one loss being to Ark State when our defense gave up a big lead. I have no doubt we "discovered" our true identity (run first from both QB and RB position) during that stretch. We kept doing the same thing when Babb came back and it kept rolling from there.

My guess on last year based on the fact we seemed to get away from what worked in 2005, which was both the QB (wheather it be Babb or Desmo) AND Fenroy running. Again, my opinion nothing more...I think we would have focused on the running game more last year and been more potent on offense with Desmo at QB. Hell, how about the dual QB system like Florida last year and LSU this year with Desmo in the Tebow/Perrilloux role? We wasted him last year. Most of the attempts at getting him touches were at reciever, and he doesn't seem to have the best hands. I'm GUESSING either of those options would have gotten us at least 2 more wins (ULM and North Texas).

8-4, bowl game.

Or maybe I'm wrong....we'll never know.....

[CharlieK]

Brian Mitchell's Jr Year stats:

Passing:
129/273 1807 yards, 8 TD's and 9 INT's
Rushing:
180 attempts for 743 yards and 15 TD's
2,550 yards of offense and 23 TD's

Desmo PROJECTED Jr. year stats:
Passing:
166/312 1770 yards, 14 TD's and 12 INT's
Rushing:
238 attempts for 1328 yards and 6 TD's
3,098 yards of offense and 20 TD's

I'm just saying.........

[RaginFan2]

Great job Lamar!!!! Is it me or was the list missing all other Louisiana colleges. Something we should be proud of. Academics and giving back to the community is what life is about.

It's not just you. There were no LSU, LA Tech, ULM, and (most surprisingly) Tulane nominees on that list! None on the FCS (1-AA) list either. I think that says a lot about our program and university. Congrats to Lamar for all of his hard work since he arrived in Lafayette!