Ducre willing to help LSU team in any way
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David Ducre was a highly-rated fullback coming out of Mandeville (La.) Lakeshore High School.
A four-star recruit, Ducre rushed for nearly 2,400 yards and 39 touchdowns in his junior and senior campaigns at Lakeshore.
Ducre was an early-enrollee for then-coach Les Miles in January of 2015. He graduated in slightly more than three years as he earned his bachelor’s degree last May.
However, Ducre’s football career has obviously not worked out in a manner he desired. In three years, Ducre has three touches – two pass receptions and one kickoff return. For most of his career, Ducre has been a backup fullback. He was an H-Back in former coordinator Matt Canada’s offense last season.
Ducre has not opted to leave for another school. He is willing to find some way of getting on the field in his final season with the Tigers. Ducre is even trying out a new position. With LSU in search of a second tight end, Ducre is competing with fifth-year senior Jacory Washington for that spot.
“It has been a different experience getting work at tight end,” Ducre said. “I had never played tight end before. I am enjoying it so far. My mindset is that I want to hep put the team in position to win as many games we can. I want to be as big an asset as I can be.”
No. 1 tight end Foster Moreau signed with the LSU in the same year as Ducre. He appreciates what Ducre has done since entering the Tigers program.
“David is a good guy,” Moreau said. “He is coming along well at tight end. We have had some guys in and out at tight end with injuries. David has been crucial to our success in camp.
“David has been a running back, a Matt Canada H-Back and a tight end here. But, calling him versatile is disrespectful. David really does a good job. He has always accepted his role in the offense.”
A season-ending injury to Jamal Pettigrew has put LSU in a bind at tight end. Pettigrew was projected to be that second on-the-line tight end. North Carolina State transfer Thaddeus Moss is more of a receiving tight end at this time. In addition, Moss is going to miss an extended period of time with a foot injury.
So, the Tigers were left with three scholarship tight ends besides Moreau – Washington, redshirt freshman Aaron Moffitt and true freshman Zach Sheffer. That’s the reason, the coaching staff made Ducre’s move to tight end.
Ducre, who is 6-foot-1 and weighs 240 pounds, has adjusted quite well to his new position.
“Being short has not been much of a problem,” Ducre said. “You must understand your pad level. You must get lower than guys who are bigger and stronger. The biggest difference is going from blocking inside linebackers and outside linebackers at fullback to blocking five-techniques at tight end.
“Also, I have had to pick up the (passing) route tree at tight end. But, I really knew most of that already. I had about 30 snaps in last Saturday’s scrimmage at tight end. It was alright. I handled it pretty decently. We need a second tight end. Maybe I can be in that role. I will do anything to help the team.”
Washington is another player who has seen little action since coming to LSU. He has made one reception for 17 yards. Injuries have plagued Washington throughout his time with the Tigers. In fact, he has missed a handful of practices this August.
Like Ducre, Washington was a four-star recruit following his senior year at Westlake (La.) High School. Washington caught 54 passes for almost 950 yards and eight touchdowns in his last two seasons at Westlake. However, Washington has not been a factor at LSU.
“As a group, the tight ends are doing well,” Moreau said. “You talk about a second tight end. A guy can come take my job if he is better. As coach (Ed) O(regeron) says, ‘the depth chart is etched in sand.’ We have had a couple of injuries, but that is not going to stop us.”
