Oct. 18, 2010

RUSTON, La. -

Louisiana Tech defensive lineman Jonathan Zeno is a lot like most college football players. He goes through long, strenuous workouts in a sport that depends on hitting your opponent so hard that you bring him to the ground. He's involved in a physical game that involves, teamwork, man-to-man contact and a lot of yelling.

However, unlike most college football players, Zeno has found a hobby that requires everything that football doesn't. It's an activity that requires no teammates or contact with another person. It's quiet, peaceful and relaxing. It's fishing, and it provides a perfect balance for the senior from St. Martinville, La.

"When you're catching (fish) it's good, and when you're not catching it gets kind of boring. Either way, it's total relaxation," Zeno said. "You are at peace with yourself."

Zeno has been fishing his entire life including a few times while at Tech with teammate Randy Grigsby. However it was an outing with his brother, Joshua, where he experienced his greatest catch. It was during his junior year that the siblings were fishing off the Catahoula levy near the Zeno's hometown of St. Martinville, and Jonathan caught a six-foot long alligator garfish.

Tech defensive line coach Stan Eggen thinks finding a balance in life is beneficial, but also unusual in younger players.

"I think you find that people participating in competitive sports have a hobby to get away from it," Eggen said. "There is some relaxation in it and just a chance to settle down. With young people, some do and some don't, but I think it's great to have that chance to cut loose from the competitive side and just relax, drift away and dream."

If Zeno catches anymore six-footers, there is no doubt who would be the first people to know about it - his parents, Ricky and Roselia. Zeno says they have influenced his life the most.

"I have the upmost respect for my parents," Zeno said. "If it wasn't for my parents, I wouldn't be where I am today. They've instilled so much in me. I talk to my parents every day."

They love talking to him as well, especially his mom, Roselia. Zeno claims that she calls or texts him five times a day. Just so Zeno doesn't miss out on class, his mother will send him a text saying "John, are you going to class?" Zeno, who graduated in the winter, says he doesn't mind the constant shadow casted over him by his mother.

"I'm a 100-percent mama's boy," Zeno said. "My first year here was hard because I wasn't around my family. It wasn't like high school. It was a big change."

Zeno's love for his parents went into his college decision as he chose to attend Louisiana College instead of a community college in California. After becoming an all-conference honorable mention performer at Louisiana College, Zeno transferred to Louisiana Tech where he redshirted the 2007 season.

He has received sporadic playing time over the previous two years, but this season has played in every game.

Through the first six games of this season, Zeno has recorded 19 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss. This is the third most among Louisiana Tech defensive linemen.

"I'm real proud of what Jonathan has done with the team," Eggen said. "I think he's become a good teammate. That is something that we talk to our players about, being a better teammate, extending yourself and helping people."

With the increased playing time, Zeno has become more vocal which has been noticed by Eggen.

"For a guy to step up and not having played much except for his senior year, to rise up and do it, it says a lot about him and the quality young man that he is," Eggen said. "He sees himself contributing to this team and being a valuable part. So when it comes time to step up and help motivate and focus the team, he does that for our defense."

As a senior, Zeno is living the best of both worlds. He's enjoying the physicality of one sport and the peacefulness of another. One game is the ultimate team sport while the other is pretty much a one-man show. All that's needed is a pole.

Zeno is loud and vocal on fall Saturdays, but when casting a line he doesn't need to say a word, except maybe to his mother who is always a text or phone call away.