When LSU redshirt freshman kicker Colby Delahoussaye arrived on campus a year ago, he had one primary obstacle in his way: the fifth-most accurate kicker in Tiger history was entering his senior season.
The situation caused Delahoussaye to redshirt in 2012, keeping him off the field for the entirety of his true freshman season.
A number of road blocks ranging from injuries to overcrowdedness at a specific position have forced several Tigers to do the same, but Delahoussaye and teammates Jerald Hawkins and Travin Dural have overcome missing their true freshman seasons to become integral parts of the 2013 roster.
Delahoussaye joined the team as a walk-on looking for the opportunity to become the squad’s go-to field goal specialist.
Instead of feeling defeated, Delahoussaye said he used the chance to redshirt and learn from the upperclassman who held the position at the time, Drew
Alleman. Alleman mentored the freshman, and the results are paying off this season.
“I couldn’t have asked for more, as far as what that one year gave me to make me the kicker I am,” Delahoussaye said. “Drew Alleman was a huge help with me. He helped me to become a better kicker even though he was going to leave that year. He told me what it was going to be like, and he got me ready for it.”
Through five games in 2013, Delahoussaye has connected on all six of his field goal opportunities, and he is 28-for-28 on extra points, resulting in 46 points scored for the squad. The New Iberia, La., native had a highlight-reel contest against Georgia in Sanford Stadium on Saturday, hitting both a 49-yard and 39-yard field goal.
Delahoussaye said taking last season off had a major impact on his performance early this season, and he wouldn’t change his path to the present time if he had the chance.
“If I could go back last year and start over again, I wouldn’t take that year back,” he said. “Having what I’ve gotten from throughout that year and becoming the kicker I am now, it was pivotal to how I’m kicking now.”
Hawkins had a slightly different road to his starting role as right tackle, receiving his
opportunity after an injury to senior offensive lineman Josh Williford.
A season ago, the Tigers began the year with a plethora of offensive linemen worthy of a starting job. With former Tigers Josh Dworaczyk, Chris Faulk, P.J. Lonergan and Alex Hurst manning the trenches, finding a spot in the starting rotation became an immediate challenge.
Hawkins said he came out of high school dreaming of getting a starting spot at LSU, but that dream faded quickly during his freshman season.
“I came in here thinking I could try to play and try to start,” Hawkins said. “When it first hit me, it was hard, but after that I just took it as a great experience.”
Hawkins uses the techniques and lessons he learned from Dworaczyk, saying the year he redshirted was “definitely” a life-changing experience.
Dural had the roughest first season of the group though, suffering an injury before stepping foot in Tiger Stadium.
During preseason practice in 2012, Dural suffered a season-ending knee injury, knocking out any chance he may have had to see the field during his freshman campaign.
Junior receiver Jarvis Landry, who suffered a stress fracture in his foot his freshman year, related to the young Dural and offered to help him recover both physically and mentally off the field.
“[We were] just embracing him and telling him and letting him know that things happen for a reason,” Landry said. “We thought he was going to bounce back, and he has.”
Through five games in 2013, Dural has caught three passes for 57 yards, including a 36-yard reception against Kent State.
Landry commended Dural for his ability to return to the field, and he said Dural will continue to make an immediate impact as he fights for the No. 3 receiver spot.
“Being an 18-year-old kid and getting hurt like that, and then his ability to respond,” Landry said. “His ability to learn and continue to grow … will make him a great player in this organization in due time.”
“If I could go back last year and start over again, I wouldn’t take that year back. Having what I’ve gotten from throughout that year and becoming the kicker I am now, it was pivotal to how I’m kicking now.”