Change of Plans for Bilich

2012 UL signee Dominick Bilich out of Rummel HS (La) has had his share of tough decisions over the past few months. Bilich now plans to grey-shirt and re-sign with the 2013 UL Class, the Cajun Redzone spoke with Dominick about the circumstances surrounding his decision.

Rummel HS (La) Dominick Bilich was one of Louisiana’s most highly touted offensive linemen to sign with the 2012 class. Bilich is coming off a solid senior campaign and was set to play in the Pontchartrain All-Star game before injuring his foot in a state playoff game against Higgins High School. Dominick was well on his way back from rehabbing the injury when things took a turn for the worst.

“I was rehabbing fine but the screws in my foot from the surgery broke and I was told that I would need to have the surgery done again to remove those screws and insert new ones,” Dominick stated. I was really disappointed and we decided to have the surgery done by another orthopedic surgeon. I called Coach Robrigue and told him the news; he was really disappointed as well because he was looking forward to me coming in this summer to compete. Coach Hudspeth told me it was my decision, I could come in and redshirt, and rehab there at UL or I could grey-shirt.”

Most athletes would have taken the sure thing and began school on a scholarship this fall, but Bilich is not like most athletes.

“I thought about it and it just didn’t feel right now coming in and not competing,” Bilich explained. “I want to come in and compete; I didn’t like the idea of just sitting down watching everyone else play football. I told Coach Hudspeth that I want to grey-shirt and re-sign with the 2013 Class. I will enroll in January and start working out for spring football with everyone else. I have some friends in this class, so it made the decision tough but I made the right decision for myself.”

Dominique Bilich decision to grey-shirt essentially assured that someone else would get his scholarship this year, allowing the UL staff to add safety Al Damion Riles late.

“Coach Hudspeth assured me that I have a scholarship waiting for me in the 2013 class, so I’m not concerned about any of that,” Dominick said. “I’m going to be a Ragin’ Cajun; it will just begin in January instead of this summer. I’m going to come and watch a few games this season at Cajun Field. I’m staying close to my friends and my coaches, which is not going to change.”

How does Bilich’s mother feel about his decision and staying home until January?

“I think she was a little disappointed as well, she was kind of looking forward to me getting out of the house,” Dominick mentioned with a laugh. “I’m not just going to sit around the house though; I’m going to help coach the offensive line at Rummel this fall. And I’m going to continue to rehab my foot; I’m doing zero gravity exercise right now and then continue on to the next segment of my rehab.”

The UL staff knows it made the right decision when they recruited an athlete with the character of Dominick Bilich.