By Alex Restrepo
LSU Sports Information
It only takes one game, one moment or one play for athletes to make a name for themselves. A game-winning touchdown, a big hit in the backfield or a long run can put a football player’s name on the map in an instant. LSU fullback Jacob Hester had one of those games, the 2006 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.
Before the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, Hester was largely known as a backup fullback and special teams player. He was a key contributor for the Tigers, but most of his work went unnoticed. Things were about to change.
In one night Hester became a familiar name to the Tiger faithful. With the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl already in hand by the middle of the third quarter, Hester came into the game at tailback.
The Shreveport native’s first run went for seven yards. The very next play Hester sprinted for a 10-yard gain. Two plays later he caught a 15-yard reception. He ended up with 85 all-purpose yards and a touchdown.
“I hadn’t played tailback since high school and that game was a huge confidence booster for me,” Hester explained. “It let me know I could hold my own at tailback in college. Doing that against a team like Miami really gave me the confidence I needed heading into next season.”
After his stellar bowl game performance, Hester received a vote of confidence from the coaches over the summer. He realized his role in the offense was about to take off. Whether as a tailback or fullback, Hester was just ready to contribute.
“It doesn’t matter to me if I am at tailback or fullback,” Hester said. “Most guys say they want to play tailback because you get the ball and have the ability to make big plays. I love doing that, but I also like lining up at fullback and hitting heads with a guy. Whatever they want me to do I am up for it.”
Hester went into the season knowing he would be used at both back positions, while continuing to play special teams. The all-purpose workhorse knew he had to be in top physical shape to handle the challenge.
“I worked on my conditioning a lot over the summer knowing I would get a lot more touches,” Hester said. “I took longer routes when I was running and did some stuff on my own to help prepare me for the upcoming season.”
THE WORKHORSE
After a fall camp that saw Hester line up at tailback, fullback and special teams, head coach Les Miles had some strong words for his talents.
“He does whatever we ask of him and works hard at it,” said Miles. “He is probably the best all-around athlete on the team.”
As much as Hester appreciates Miles’ compliment, he believes he is just one of many that could fit that description.
“It’s an honor for him to say something like that, but to be honest we have about 10 to 15 guys he could’ve said that about,” Hester explained. “It’s something I want to live up to so that he doesn’t go back on that statement.”
The key to Hester’s ability is his strong work ethic. Hester said whether he is in the backfield or on kickoff coverage, he treats it with the same intensity.
“Some people might think special teams plays are plays that we take off,” Hester commented. “But there were some games last season like Arizona State, Auburn and Arkansas that if we didn’t have good special teams, then we would have lost the game. When you are on special teams you have to look at it as if you are a starter. You have to approach it knowing it’s just as important as offense and defense.”
Hester’s biggest special teams play of last year came when the Tigers needed it the most. Trailing 17-14 in the fourth quarter of the 2005 season-opener at Arizona State, Hester was lined up on punt coverage when he noticed the Sun Devils lined up in a strange spread punt formation.
“It was a time in the game when we knew we had to make a play,” Hester said. “After we saw their formation we knew what play we were going to run.”
When the ball snapped, Hester blitzed through the staggered line to knock down the punter, and Craig Steltz picked up the ball sprinting for a 29-yard touchdown.
The touchdown allowed the Tigers to regain the momentum, and they would go on to win the game, 35-31. Hester realizes most people won’t remember the guys who blocked the kick, only the one who scored, but he was happy it was Steltz who got the glory.
“It was a great play and we executed it well,” Hester commented. “Since Steltz is my roommate I was glad he got the touchdown.”
MR. EVERYTHING
With Hester already established as an effective tailback, fullback and special teams guru, the coaching staff may try to get him on the field in another way. The coaching staff was so impressed with his hands and vision during fall camp they decided to give him a few practice snaps at punt returner.
“It’s something I did in high school (returning punts) and when I first got to LSU they had me take a few snaps,” Hester commented. “They put me back there in case one of our guys gets hurt. I am not sure if I will ever have the chance, but if I do I will be ready.”
Being utilized in a variety of ways is something Hester has grown accustomed to. In high school, Hester’s versatility was pushed sky high as he played tailback, tight end, wide receiver, linebacker, defensive lineman and punt returner.
Evangel Academy’s head coach Dennis Dunn ran a single back offense giving Hester only one option in the backfield. Once Hester earned the lucrative position in the backfield he never gave it up, compiling more than 2,000 yards rushing and 52 touchdowns. In his time at Evangel Academy, he helped his team claim two state championships.
“When I got here and they asked me to play different positions I knew I could do it because of the experience I had in high school,” Hester said. “The more ways I can get on the field, the more I can contribute to the team.”
Any doubts about Hester’s ability to perform at multiple positions in college quickly vanished after the first two games of this season. The Shreveport native has team highs of three touchdowns and eight receptions and is second in all-purpose yards with 128.
Hester’s exciting start has caught the eye of starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell.
“I think you can put Hester anywhere on the field and he will get the job done,” Russell said after the Arizona game. “He is doing a great job moving around at different positions. He does whatever it takes to help this team win.”
The Tigers visit No. 3 Auburn on Saturday, and the all-purpose back said he is ready for the challenge.
“Coming into this year I knew I would have a bigger role, maybe not as big as it has been in the first two games, but it has been exciting for me,” he said. “No matter what position, if the coaches call my name, I am ready to go.”