Batiste Gets In Home from Coach Hudspeth

Dutchtown HS Defensive Lineman Darrien Batiste was the first member of the 2012 Class to give his verbal commitment to Louisiana’s coaching staff. The “6-2”, 250-pound senior received an in-home visit from his future head coach Mark Hudspeth today, how did the visit go?

Senior Dutchtown defensive lineman Darrien Batiste’s enthusiasm for the UL football program has never waivered since he gave his verbal commitment to Coach Mark Hudspeth back in July. But after an in-home visit today from Coach Hudspeth and Coach Rebowe, Batiste is ready to make the trip up to Lafayette and get his college career started. How did the visit go and what did Coach Hudspeth tell Batiste that has him excited to be a Ragin’Cajun?

“The visit with Coach Hudspeth went great,” Batiste stated. “We talked about me coming up in June and attending summer school and going through summer workouts with the rest of the team. He said I looked good and wanted me to continue to work hard on my strength and conditioning. I set my official visit for the weekend of January 20th and my parents will make the trip up to Lafayette with me.”

While Coach Hudspeth’s visit allowed Batiste’s parents to ask a few questions, Darrien had one question he wanted answered.

“I wanted to know if he was going to stay at UL after I signed,” Darrien mentioned. “Coach told me that he just signed a five contract extension and he wasn’t going anywhere right now. That’s all I wanted to hear from him before I head up to Lafayette on my visit. My parents asked a few questions and were very happy overall with the things coach had to say about the school and the football program.”

Darrien Batiste has remained firm in his commitment to UL, but that hasn’t stopped a few schools from coming in late to measure his interest.

“There have been a few schools that have come in lately, but Colorado State is the latest to call me,” Batiste stated. “I told them I’m committed and I don’t plan on taking any other visits. I really haven’t spoken to any other schools if they have called.”

Batiste was invited to the annual Bayou Bowl All-Star game against Texas in Beaumont, but has decided he will focus on getting ready for his freshman year.

“The Bayou Bowl is in June, so I will be enrolling at UL at that time,” said Batiste. “It would have been a nice honor to play in that game, but getting in summer school and working out is more important to me. Once I sign, I will get my workout material from UL and get started on what they want me to focus on.”