Bearcats quarterback Munchie Legaux primed for comeback

Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 4:57 p.m. EDT July 29, 2014


Munchie Legaux attends practice at Sheakley Athletics Center under the bubble in February.(Photo: The Enquirer/Liz Dufour)

NEWPORT, R.I. – Munchie Legaux walked proudly into the Hyatt Regency Newport here Tuesday for American Athletic Conference football media day, and the usually routine ambulatory action did not go unnoticed.

AAC commissioner Mike Aresco saluted University of Cincinnati quarterback Legaux in his opening remarks in the Hyatt ballroom, as Aresco noted Legaux's comeback from a severe knee injury. Later, several reporters from around the league sought out Legaux for interviews.

"I was once told that I would never walk again," Legaux said. "Now I have a chance to play football again and here I am today, walking, running, still smiling, still the same guy I was before the hit."

Legaux suffered a left knee dislocation and multiple torn ligaments on Sept. 7, 2013, when he was hit while attempting a pass against Illinois. Surgery soon followed, then months of aggressive rehab.

Tuesday, Legaux attended media day with UC coach Tommy Tuberville and teammates Ralph David Abernathy IV, Nick Temple and Adrian Witty.

"Watching such a horrific injury in person and seeing something terrible happen to such a good guy, obviously it's just a blessing to see him out there every day working with us," Abernathy said. "It's great to have our quarterback back."

Tuberville said Legaux is back to about 80 percent physically. While Legaux has not been cleared to play, he will be in uniform when UC begins preseason practice Aug. 10.

"I'm proud of Munchie," Tuberville said. "Worst injury I've ever seen in my (36) years of being a college football coach. He's worked hard. He probably puts in two hours a day of rehab. I would not have given him a big window of hope to play this year."

UC head football trainer Bob Mangine said in a recent interview that Legaux continues to make progress.

"We're not ready to say he's cleared to do everything at this point," Mangine said. "When we go on the field Aug. 10 he'll be doing some of the practice, and then we'll base it day to day on how his knee feels."

Legaux wants no mercy.

"I told the linebackers to hit me at camp so I can get used it," Legaux said. "Don't try to hurt me but hit me, if I get out of the pocket and run, bump me or give me a little tap to let me know that you're there."

Legaux was granted a fifth and final season via medical hardship waiver.

Sophomore transfer Gunner Kiel and junior college transfer Jarred Evans are 1-2 on the quarterback depth chart, in the competition to replace departed starter Brendon Kay. Legaux wants to get back into the mix.

"If it's Jarred Evans or Gunner Kiel I'm going to support those guys, helping those guys with whatever help they need," Legaux said. "I've been in their shoes."

Legaux has a 9-5 career record as UC starting quarterback. He has 2,847 career yards passing (20 touchdowns, 16 interceptions), with 627 yards rushing and seven touchdowns.

Legaux knows that people will wonder whether he has a mental block about being hit again. That is why he wants to be tested during camp.

"I don't want to go into the first game shocked by the first hit," Legaux said. "Not to say that I'm scared about my knee, but my first time getting hit in over a year."

Tuberville said fear of the unknown may be Legaux's biggest hurdle.

"You've got to put the mental part on there, which is getting out there and letting people hit you from all sides after that injury," Tuberville said. "That is something he's going to have to work through. I think he's got an outside shot. We'll see what happens."

Legaux hopes for more than a token appearance or two this season.

"I'm just going to go out there and play football," Legaux said. "This is my last year of college football. I just want to leave it all on the field and show guys that anything is possible."

Munchie Legaux file

University of Cincinnati QB

Born: Sept. 27, 1991 (age 22)

Hometown: New Orleans

Height: 6-5

Weight: 205

2014 status: Senior (fifth year)

UC career: 9-5 record as starting QB … 2,847 yds passing (20 TD, 16 int.); 627 yds rushing (7 TD)

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../13325997/

I wish him well and wish we can find a way to use him other than QB. You have to hold your breath whenever he starts to throw.

(07-29-2014 11:08 PM)dossbig Wrote:  I wish him well and wish we can find a way to use him other than QB. You have to hold your breath whenever he starts to throw.

I doubt he'll be changing positions, but Munchie has to be well aware that this is Kiel's team now.

I'm very glad to hear he's making a comeback after that gruesome injury. However, there's not a snowballs chance in h*** he starts at QB anymore... At least I hope not. (I was shocked he even started those two games at the start of last season)

Munchie is not much of a QB, but I'll have no problem with him coming in for something like a wildcat play or two.

(07-29-2014 11:08 PM)dossbig Wrote:  I wish him well and wish we can find a way to use him other than QB. You have to hold your breath whenever he starts to throw.

QB is the only position he can play.

He's not our best guy at any position. He should be used in garbage time and trick plays.

I hate to admit it but I read the title of the thread and thought "NOOOOOOOOOoooooooo!"

I'm glad he's back. He has shown flashes of being a solid QB and will be able to keep us in games if Kiel goes down. As UC fans know, it's very possible to lose your starter (every freaking year) and it would be nice to have an experienced backup in place.

(07-30-2014 06:18 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  I'm glad he's back. He has shown flashes of being a solid QB and will be able to keep us in games if Kiel goes down. As UC fans know, it's very possible to lose your starter (every freaking year) and it would be nice to have an experienced backup in place.

yes

I'll say this about Munchie: he has overcome as much adversity as anyone to put on the Red and Black. From being booed, benched, put at the bottom of the depth chart, sustaining a helacious injury and now overcoming the rehabillitation....

He may not be a Greg Cook or a Tony Pike, but I have a lot of respect for the young man.

(07-30-2014 07:14 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  I'll say this about Munchie: he has overcome as much adversity as anyone to put on the Red and Black. From being booed, benched, put at the bottom of the depth chart, sustaining a helacious injury and now overcoming the rehabillitation....

He may not be a Greg Cook or a Tony Pike, but I have a lot of respect for the young man.

I think people were booing butch not munchie.

People were booing Butch using Munchie. I sure had to feel to Munchie as if he were being rejected by the fans.

It is good to have an experienced backup QB just in case, but you don't bench a 5-star recruit for a QB with questionable accuracy. As stated, this is Kiel's offense to run.

I'm glad to see Munchie back, hope he graduates on time and finds success in whatever he does.

(07-30-2014 07:14 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  I'll say this about Munchie: he has overcome as much adversity as anyone to put on the Red and Black. From being booed, benched, put at the bottom of the depth chart, sustaining a helacious injury and now overcoming the rehabillitation....

He may not be a Greg Cook or a Tony Pike, but I have a lot of respect for the young man.

^^^^
YUP!

I am glad Muchie has stuck with the program. Even if he never sees the field again, he is a huge asset to the program:
-As a mentor.
-As a competitor to keep Kiel on his toes and improving.
-As a game-seasoned back-up if the need arises.
-As an extra set of tactical and analytical eyes on the sideline.

I'm wondering if he's going to move into coaching...

(07-30-2014 06:04 AM)Dannyboy Wrote:  He's not our best guy at any position. He should be used in garbage time and trick plays.

I've never noticed "garbage time" and UC football in the same sentence
until you posted it.
I think Munchie is our best wildcat option, and that would make him the
best player at that position. In addition, having him game ready makes
opponents prepare for him.

I have read where Jared Evans is faster than Munchie, even before the injury, so I would think he would be the wildcat.

(07-30-2014 11:14 AM)BearcatBeta Wrote:  

(07-30-2014 06:04 AM)Dannyboy Wrote:  He's not our best guy at any position. He should be used in garbage time and trick plays.

I've never noticed "garbage time" and UC football in the same sentence
until you posted it.
I think Munchie is our best wildcat option, and that would make him the
best player at that position. In addition, having him game ready makes
opponents prepare for him.

Munchie is not the best wildcat option. That would be the number 2 guy Jarred Evans who is the new runner/passer we have.

(07-30-2014 11:23 AM)ctipton Wrote:  

(07-30-2014 11:14 AM)BearcatBeta Wrote:  

(07-30-2014 06:04 AM)Dannyboy Wrote:  He's not our best guy at any position. He should be used in garbage time and trick plays.

I've never noticed "garbage time" and UC football in the same sentence
until you posted it.
I think Munchie is our best wildcat option, and that would make him the
best player at that position. In addition, having him game ready makes
opponents prepare for him.

Munchie is not the best wildcat option. That would be the number 2 guy Jarred Evans who is the new runner/passer we have.

This

Munchie has about 2 pounds of steel in his leg and reconstructed ligaments, I doubt he'd be much of a runner after this to be honest. The limitations may not even be physical, I know if I were in his position every time a guy came low I'd huddle up into a ball.

(07-30-2014 11:14 AM)BearcatBeta Wrote:  

(07-30-2014 06:04 AM)Dannyboy Wrote:  He's not our best guy at any position. He should be used in garbage time and trick plays.

I've never noticed "garbage time" and UC football in the same sentence
until you posted it.
I think Munchie is our best wildcat option, and that would make him the
best player at that position. In addition, having him game ready makes
opponents prepare for him.

I will be very surprised if Munchie plays a down in a game this year. His injured leg will not be ready for full contact action this year.

If he does. It will be in a kneel down play in the last home game of the season and he will be put in for the crowd to give him the ovation he deserves.

It's very impressive that CTT and staff have remained supportive of Munchie getting another scholarship year. With Kiel and Evans waiting in the wings, many coaches would have not supported him getting an extra year, especially since he was the former coach's recruit.

I'm glad he is healthy and has the ability to be "normal" again. However I hope he only takes snaps in a Jordan Luallen type of role. This is Gunner Kiel's team for the next 3 years.