Breaux excels in first season despite position change
Freshman defensive tackle and Ruston native Ahmad Breaux prepares to enter Tiger Stadium prior to his first collegiate start against UCLA earlier this season. Breaux played in all 12 games for the Tigers during the regular season. Photo by Gus Stark/LSU
Ahmad Breaux is accustomed to playing wherever coaches put him. He has the work ethic and determination to excel no matter where he is on the football field.
It was true when he played at Ruston High, and his versatility and ability to adjust led him to seeing the field his freshman season at LSU.
To his credit, he not only played minutes for the Tigers in 2024, but valuable minutes. So much so, he was named Defensive Freshman of the Year earlier this month at LSU’s annual awards ceremony.
As a sophomore, he was a promising tight end at Ruston High. A need for an edge rusher led Breaux to the defensive side of the ball. All he did was put together stellar senior and junior seasons as an All-State player and state champion.
When he arrived at LSU, Breaux weighed in the 250-pound range. But he was moving again.
This time, he moved inside where LSU was thin on defense under first- year coordinator Blake Baker. By the time August rolled around for fall camp, Breaux had reached 285 pounds and was ready to contribute inside.
Though his numbers won’t jump off the statistics sheet heading into the New Year’s Eve bowl game against Baylor, Breaux registered 16 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss and played in all 12 regular season games.
Breaux talked to the Ruston Daily Leader about his first year playing in Death Valley.
What was your first season like at LSU?
“It’s been a lot, and it wasn’t easy at all. When I first was playing at defensive end, I was expecting they were going to redshirt me and have it be more of a developmental year, but I just kept my head down and worked. Coach (Bo) Davis really developed me into an SEC-caliber player and someone that can impact the game and be productive. He helped me get to where I am.
“ I actually asked coach (Brian) Kelly what their plans were for me, and they said they felt my future was going to be inside, and so I needed to gain weight to get up to that 280-290 range. I did that. I actually gained 50 pounds total. I ate four times a day at around 5,000 calories. It was a lot, but it got me where I needed to be.”
Favorite moment of your freshman season?
“Honestly, it was probably when we played UCLA and I got my first start. It was like, ‘Dang, I’m really doing it.’ It was crazy. I’d also say playing against Alabama and seeing that crimson jersey and helmet on the other side and seeing what I watched on TV growing up and being right there, I realized this isn’t a game anymore.”
What did you learn from Ruston that you used at LSU?
“ They helped me more than I could ever realize, honestly. When I walked into LSU, I already had that working mindset. Coach Kyle ( Williams) and coach ( Jerrod) Baugh really instilled that in us that when you walk into the fieldhouse at Ruston High, you better be ready to work. When I got here, it was clockwork. Everything they required and the standard we have here, it wasn’t hard to understand because of where I was at.”
Offseason goals following the bowl game?
“I’d say working on my technique and being more fluid in my movements. I really just want to be a better football player. I want to maybe get my weight up a little bit more too.”
