A third generation Razorback walks down his own path

An exclusive interview with Luc Bequette

 

Having one family member play Division-I college football at a Power Five program is a rarity in and of itself. Being a third generation legacy with an uncle and cousin, who has also played college ball, all at the same program, can present a different level of expectations that can be hard to fulfill. Add in the difficulty of establishing one’s self on the football field for college recruiters after attending three different high schools and now we can start to understand the extremely difficult path Luc Bequette has taken to get to this point in his life.

Luc’s grandfather George started the Arkansas legacy playing for the Hogs from 1954-1956. Luc’s father, Chris, continued the legacy suiting up for the Razorbacks from 1984-1987. Chris’ brother Jay was also a Hog lettering from 1980-1982 before playing for Oklahoma in the USFL.

Most recently Luc’s cousin Jake roamed the Reynolds Razorback Stadium field from 2007-2011 earning All-Freshman SEC honors in 2008, Second-Team All-SEC honors in 2010, and First-Team All-SEC honors in 2011 before becoming a third round NFL draft pick of the New England Patriots in 2012.

Following along a similar path as his family members, but one all his own, Luc, a senior at Catholic High School in Little Rock, Arkansas is committed to a Power Five Conference program, just not the Arkansas Razorbacks. The 6’2”, 285 pound, two-way player is a defensive tackle recruit committed to Cal-Berkeley.

In an exclusive interview Luc sat down for a one-on-one interview opening up about his senior season, recruiting, and getting ready for college life on the West Coast.

 

Luc, the Rockets ended the season 5-6 after a 24-14 playoff loss to Fort Smith Northside. Looking back, how did the team do in 2014?

“Northside had four or five D-I players on their squad. We played hard and should have won but came up five yards short.”

What were some of the strengths of CHS’ team?

“We had a good quarterback, Andre Sale, and a good wide receiver, Trey Purifoy. Trey is like 6-foot 6-inches or 6-foot 7-inches. We could throw the ball up to him and let him go get it. He had a breakout season this year.

“Our defense didn’t play too solid, like against Cabot (62-14). We were coming off an emotional North Little Rock (17-7) game and we laid an egg. Our defense was good for the majority of the year. We played real hard. Our running game picked up as the season went along. Our running back, Lance Thomas, he’s a big physical guy and hard to take down. He had a great season for us as well.”

You’ve played on both sides of the ball throughout your high school career getting time at defensive end, defensive tackle, and center on offense. What are your strengths on the field on both sides of the ball?

“I’ve gotten better at using my hands. I was kind of a chest player at first but I started using my hands more. I’ve got room for improvement but I got better. My physical strength really gained this year. I played against some really strong guys this year and did well.

“On offense, compared to the average high school player, I was way better than most the guys I faced. I take pride in my effort. I try to lay people out when I can. I think my love for the game really stands out when people watch me play.”

Luc, you’re not the average big man. You are really athletic for your size. What other sports do you play?

“I wrestle in the heavyweight division (220-285 lbs) and play baseball.”

What positions do you play in baseball?

“Growing up I was a pitcher. As I’ve gotten older and bigger, I’ve played third, first, DH, and catcher.”

Through your high school career you’ve played for three different high school teams as you’re family moved around. What teams have you suited up for in high school?

“I played for Centennial (Illinois) and Saint Thomas Moore (Champaign) before we moved back to Arkansas.”

The moves had to be difficult and tough on your recruiting. What schools are recruiting you?

“I’ve received offers from Cal, Vandy, Air Force, Army, Louisiana-Monroe, Navy, and Memphis but I’m committed to Cal. I’ve taken unofficial visits to Arkansas and Auburn.”

You just got back from a visit to Vanderbilt, how did that go?

“Nashville is a really cool place. The guys on the team were great. My host was a great guy from south Louisiana, Bailey Grainer (freshman OL from South Lafourche). We bonded together. He took me to a Brantley Gilbert concert. That was my first country music concert. It was great. I think the team is headed in the right direction under Coach (Derek) Mason.”

Cal defensive coordinator Art Kauffman just did an in-home visit with you and your dad. How did that go?

“It went real well. Coach Kauffman is easy to talk to. We had a good time.”

Do you plan on enrolling early at Cal?

“I think I have a good shot at winning state in wrestling and I want to play my last season of high school baseball. I’m going to finish out my year and enjoy the last couple of months of being in high school before heading off to college.”

What offseason workouts are you doing to prepare for college football?

“I’ve been doing this workout with a guy from Arizona, Jay Schroeder. He’s some sort of mad scientist kind of guy when it comes to fitness. He’s developed his own brand of advanced endurance training techniques. This guy is really strong, he has ungodly strength. I’m lucky to work with him. He works mainly with college and pro guys. My grandfather actually got connected with him first. It’s the same workouts that Adam Archuleta does and how he became a beast.”

Is there a college or pro player you like watching play the game?

“I like watching Arkansas defensive tackle Darius Philon play. Man he’s good. When Johnny Manziel was at Texas A&M, I really liked watching him. He was one of my favorite players to watch. He has a mentality about him when he’s on the field that he refuses to lose. I like that.”

Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“Coming from a football family, my entire family has had a big impact on my career so far. Their knowledge of the game and how they’ve helped me become a better player has been invaluable. Watching Jake play, for me knowing what he was in high school as an under recruited and not highly rated player to seeing him work his butt off to become the player he is today, has inspired me to do the same thing.”

There are many life lessons to take from Luc’s story. If there is nothing to learn from him but how important self determination is when chasing after one’s dreams that might be enough. Resting on one’s laurels based off a superior football genetic bloodline hoping for an offer is not enough. Having the intelligence to succeed in school without applying one’s self is also not enough.

Working through three different high school programs trying to establish an identity for himself on the football field for college recruiters has not been easy for Luc but he’s never given up. Off the field Luc continued to apply himself in the classroom providing options to play college football for some of the more highly regarded college academic institutions in the U.S.

The team first love of the sport coming from within Luc allowed him to move to center during his senior season to fill a needed role on the CHS offensive line. Not thinking about what is best for his collegiate career but what was best for the team, he hit the challenge head on helping guide the Rockets into the playoffs in 2014.

Once at the collegiate level Luc will finally get the benefit of establishing himself at defensive tackle full-time. The benefit of putting down roots of his own in one location and at one position over time will now be the fruitful benefits of California head coach Sonny Dykes and Golden Bears’ defensive coordinator Art Kauffman. Watching that untapped potential come to fruition will be fun to watch.

Pac-12 coaches you’ve been forewarned!

 

Photo credit: John Neiman; No. 73 Luc Bequette.