Abdule Levier looks to make a splash in 2005

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LOUISIANA La. - Abdule Levier is leaner, quicker and ready for his number to be called this season with Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns.

"I have lost 12 pounds working out," he said at the annual Media Day for the University of Louisiana football team. "At the beginning of the summer I was 212, now I am 200 pounds. I feel a lot quicker than I was."

The sophomore is hoping this is his breakout year after seeing limited action as a freshman running back.

Levier played in six games last year and started in the season finale against the University of Louisiana-Monroe Indians.

He finished the season with 120 yards on 26 carries for a 4.6 per-carry average, the highest of any Cajun tailback.

His best performance came in the 13-10 loss to Troy when he gained 53 yards on seven carries.

Levier said heading into this year he is more mature and understands the system better.

"I am more experienced," he explained. "In practices I feel more comfortable. Last year I felt kind of out of place as I had just got here. When I go through drills, now I understand everything."

Levier gained 2,800 yards his last two seasons at Port Barre, capping off his high school career with 1,511 yards and 22 touchdowns his senior season. He was a vital part of leading the Red Devils to the 2002 Class 2A state championship.

He lettered four years in football and track, but he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during his senior track season and did not enroll at UL until the spring semester of 2004.

I was a little nervous about getting hit on my knee during that first spring practice," the former All-State performer admitted. "Once the spring was over I was out of that mode because I had been hit in the leg."

While Chester Johnson (5-10, 198) is slated as the starting back, Levier (5-11, 200) is right behind the senior on the depth chart.

"I am working hard," Levier said. "The coach told me that depth chart is wide open and it is all up me if I play or not."

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By Tom Dodge
tdodge@dailyworld.com

[Doolthefool]

Yea, there it goes he will definitely make a splash in 2005 cuz i saw a glimpse of it yesterday on that 50 yard TD run.

[Clutch0364]

I'm one that believes that Abdule is one of our most complete backs but his biggest problem last year was putting the ball on the ground to many times. If he has fixed that problem he will have a huge year. Can't wait to watch the scrimmage this weekend so I can give a better analysis of whats going on.