We would like to welcome our next Diamond In The Rough to Gridiron, Lane Broussard, a 6-foot, 205-pound 2027 Offensive Lineman out of Lafayette Christian Academy. Carrying a 4.0 GPA on his shoulders, this is a player who really didn’t start playing football at all until he got to high school, and it is amazing how quickly he got so good. Broussard is an undersized lineman who plays with great footwork and IQ, and he takes advantage of his size, pulling more easily and getting down the field to the second level to make those key blocks. He also has a soccer and baseball background and is open to playing anywhere at the D2 level.
Here is my conversation with Lane Broussard:
What has your football journey been like? At what age did you start playing football, and what inspired you to play football?
My whole life, my dad has been trying to get me to play football, but it never really clicked. Halfway through my eighth-grade year, our head football coach at the time walked up to me and said, “Lane, I would like you to come try and play football for me.” I agreed to it at the time, and then one of my friends kept begging me to come play. Once summer workouts started for them, I went, and it clicked. I started loving football and have been playing throughout high school.
Who have been some of the biggest influences in your journey? Family members, coaches, etc?
Definitely my father. He’s probably been my biggest help through it. Also, a lot of my friends and teammates. They have really done it for me. I didn’t know how they were going to treat me, but they have greatly accepted me, helped me through the way, changed me a lot, and helped me through a lot of things.
How would you describe the football culture at your school, community, and in Louisiana?
Honestly, I think all around, every program you’re going to get, you’re going to get quality coaching for the most part. You’re going to get the experience you need, and school will help a lot too. LCA helps with individual work and helps you focus on what you need rather than the group as a whole. They will help you to get better.
Do you have a core memory of playing when you were younger, like when you first started playing?
Probably how I fractured my growth plate in my ankle freshman year, warming up for a game I was really excited for. Back then, it was serious; it wasn’t really that funny, but we kind of laugh at it now and make jokes about it.
What did you learn in that moment?
It set reality into me and told me that if I really wanted this, I had to work my butt off for it. I had to get back to being myself physically and doing what I needed to do.
Where on the offensive line do you play?
So this past season, I played tackle every game. I started as the left tackle. However, in the summer, I played guard the whole time. We had our starting left tackle, who is 6’8″, 320, in our jamboree, who broke his femur. I had to step in and fill some very big shoes.
What’s something about your game that you think separates you from other players at your position?
I think my size, being as small as I can compared to a lot of linemen in general, can surprise people, and it gives me a little advantage because they are not used to just me being as strong as I am to go against someone their size.
What is your max bench or max squat?
See, at our school, we don’t do that. We do three-rep maxes, and we haven’t done maxes yet. Right now, for bench, I’d say my three-rep max is 205. Squat, probably 320, and deadlift, around the same.
What part or parts of your game do you feel like have improved the most over the years, and what would you like to improve on?
I think my footwork has improved a lot. I think my footwork wasn’t the greatest from the start of sophomore year. It was more like I was hopping whenever I was blocking, and now over time, it’s been stepping, driving through, and actually using the strength in my legs.
Walk me through your preparation during a typical game day.
At LCA, we get out at 12:05 every day. We are not allowed to leave, so we get to chill in our weight room. They let us go order food, and we chill or go to our coaches’ classrooms and lie down. I’ll watch a movie or watch film to get my mind right, eat a good meal, and then at 3:05, they’ll give us pregame. As I’m waiting and getting ready, we’ll do chapel, make sure I pray to god and keep him close to me, accept everything he has done for me.
What were some of the toughest challenges you faced over the years of playing thus far?
Definitely proving myself. Proving that I was able to do it, I wanted to do it not just for my family but also to prove people wrong outside of my family, just everyone.
What was the most memorable game you played, and why did it stand out?
It would be the last game of the season this past year. It was our semifinal game, and we lost by one point. It definitely was the most inflicting game for me.
How would you describe yourself as a leader to your teammates? What did you do to just pick your teammates up and keep their heads up after that loss?
Went around, and found the seniors that really affected them, gave them a hug, some words of encouragement, told them I love them, and that I’m always there if they need me.
The senior O-line voted me as being the leader of the O-line now. The o line is a little young, so I’m going to have to discipline them quite a bit. Things might get a little strict this season. I can be kind, but when it gets serious, I know the mask has to come off.
When people look back at your high school career, what do you hope they say about you as a player and person?
I hope they say that I proved people wrong. I went out there, showed myself, and surprised a lot of people, showing that I was a great player.
Did you play any other sports when you were younger, or do you do any others now?
When I was younger, I played soccer and baseball. Right now, I still play soccer, but no more baseball, though.
What was the Breaux Bridge Gridiron Football camp experience like?
It was fun. It was my first ever camp, and I didn’t know what to expect. You know, at first I was a little nervous, but I got into it, and it was a lot of fun. I made some really good friends, got some quality reps in 1-on-1s, and my favorite part was the tire pull.
What were some of your biggest takeaways from it? What is something you learned the most?
I’d say we did a lot of the mirror drill, watching and focusing on your guy in the chest, and just going along with him. That helped me because I struggle a little bit when they push up, and I think that helped a lot.
What has the recruitment process been like for you? Any offers? Are you getting in contact with any college coaches?
No offers, but there has been some contact with coaches, and my father has been paying for some things to help me get some exposure out there.
Is there a specific college or colleges you have in mind that you want to play for?
No, realistically, unless I grow some more and gain more weight, D1 isn’t really much in the picture, but I know D2 and down are more in the picture. I’m looking forward to whatever.
Why do you believe you can be a difference maker wherever you end up?
I believe I can help people push themselves. I think I can help a lot with that. I am a lot better against speed guys than big guys, and I think a lot of schools like having some speed guys. I think I can help those guys get a lot of reps.
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