(J-MART NOTE: This is a new feature I’m introducing this week to add some perspective on Kansas State’s upcoming foe. It might be a star player, an assistant coach, a cheerleader, whatever. Sometimes, like today, it will be strictly informative. Other times, it might be only for entertainment purposes. Stay tuned.)
Louisiana’s Mike Desormeaux (pronounced dess-uh-mo) doesn’t consider himself a quarterback, despite statistics to the contrary and comments like these from Kansas State coach Ron Prince:
“… You hear a lot about dual-threat quarterbacks, and I think about all of the ones I have seen — this one might be the best one. Legitimately an unbelievable passer, very accurate, has tremendous sense of timing on his passes… He can pass from within the pocket and on the move.
“And then, he is the leading rusher among quarterbacks in the country.”
Desormeaux realizes it’s a compliment.
It’s his current position, and he’s thriving there, completing 64 percent of his passes while leading the Ragin’ Cajuns in rushing at 112.7 yards per game. But he believes he’s more than that, although playing quarterback would be enough for most.
“I’m a football player,” he said Tuesday. “I just love to play the game.”
He has lined up at wide receiver and nickel back. He has participated on special teams, and he’s no joke — he has been named first team all-conference for three consecutive seasons as an all-purpose performer.
But for the time being, he’s a quarterback. A pretty good one, too.