Early Doucet arrived at LSU as one of Louisiana’s most highly regarded recruits and left four years later as a national champion, one of the most productive receivers in school history and the author of several catches that remain part of LSU football lore.

Doucet played for the Tigers from 2004 through 2007, bridging the end of the Nick Saban era and the beginning of the Les Miles years. He shared the field with quarterbacks Marcus Randall, JaMarcus Russell, Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux and was part of a remarkable group of LSU receivers that included Dwayne Bowe, Craig Davis and Brandon LaFell.

Doucet finished his LSU career with 160 receptions for 1,943 yards and 20 touchdowns in 47 games. When his career ended, he ranked third in LSU history in touchdown receptions, fourth in catches and ninth in receiving yards. Those numbers alone make him worthy of recognition, but Doucet’s place in LSU history is also tied to when he made some of his biggest catches.

A Louisiana Star at St. Martinville

Doucet grew up in south Louisiana and became a star at St. Martinville High School. He was far more than a traditional wide receiver. Doucet played quarterback, receiver, running back and return specialist, giving opposing defenses problems from almost anywhere on the field.

He finished his high school career with 7,104 all purpose yards and 79 touchdowns. Doucet rushed for 3,592 yards and 52 touchdowns, and as a senior he ran for 850 yards, passed for more than 750 and accounted for 30 touchdowns despite dealing with a hamstring injury.

LSU’s official biography described him as the top wide receiver in the country and one of the best overall prospects in the 2004 recruiting class. College Football News rated Doucet as its No. 1 receiver and No. 5 overall prospect nationally. He earned Parade All America honors, was selected as a USA Today Second Team All American and participated in the U.S. Army All American Bowl.

Doucet was also an outstanding basketball player. He helped St. Martinville win the Louisiana Class 4A state championship as a sophomore and played alongside future LSU basketball standout Darrel Mitchell.

One of the most talented athletes in Louisiana chose to stay home and play for LSU.

Making an Immediate Impact

Doucet contributed immediately as a true freshman in 2004. He appeared in all 12 games, caught 18 passes for 257 yards and scored two touchdowns. The SEC coaches selected him to the Freshman All SEC team.

His first LSU touchdown came on a 12 yard reception from JaMarcus Russell against Mississippi State. He later caught a 15 yard touchdown from Marcus Randall against Florida.

LSU already had established weapons in its passing game, so Doucet was not asked to carry the offense as a freshman. What he showed was versatility and the ability to contribute immediately in the SEC.

His sophomore season produced the first unforgettable moment of his LSU career.

A Catch LSU Fans Still Remember

The beginning of LSU’s 2005 season came during one of the most difficult periods in Louisiana history.

Hurricane Katrina forced LSU to postpone its scheduled opener against North Texas. The Tigers’ game against Arizona State, originally scheduled for Tiger Stadium, was moved to Tempe, Arizona.

LSU trailed 31 to 28 late in the fourth quarter. With 1:23 remaining, the Tigers faced fourth and 10 from the Arizona State 39 yard line. Failure to convert would put LSU on the edge of losing its first game after Katrina.

Russell scrambled away from pressure, reversed direction and threw deep toward Doucet in the left corner of the end zone.

Doucet went up between two defenders, secured the football and managed to get one foot down for a 39 yard touchdown with 1:13 remaining.

LSU took a 35 to 31 lead and held on to win.

It was a spectacular catch in any situation, but the circumstances made it much more significant. LSU was playing its first game since Katrina had devastated Louisiana, and thousands of Tiger fans were dealing with consequences far larger than football.

Doucet had delivered one of the biggest plays of the young season when LSU needed it most.

He finished 2005 with 26 receptions for 389 yards and five touchdowns.

The 2006 Breakout

Doucet became one of LSU’s most important offensive players in 2006.

Playing alongside Bowe and Davis, he caught 59 passes for 772 yards and eight touchdowns. He also rushed eight times for 59 yards and two more scores, giving him 10 touchdowns from scrimmage.

Doucet finished second on the team in receptions and receiving yards. He also contributed on kickoff returns and was selected Second Team All SEC by the league’s coaches as a return specialist.

His ability to deliver in major moments continued.

Against Alabama, Doucet caught seven passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Against Tennessee in Knoxville, he produced another game winning score.

LSU trailed the Volunteers 24 to 21 in the closing seconds. Russell drove the Tigers down the field and found Doucet for a four yard touchdown with nine seconds remaining.

LSU won 28 to 24.

It was the second time in two seasons that Doucet had caught a game winning touchdown in the final moments of a major road game.

Doucet finished the night with eight receptions for 73 yards.

A Big Sugar Bowl Performance

LSU closed the 2006 season against Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

Doucet saved one of his best performances for the postseason.

He caught eight passes for a career high 115 yards as LSU defeated Notre Dame 41 to 14. His performance included a career long 58 yard reception.

The victory completed an 11 win season for LSU and further established the Tigers as one of the strongest programs in college football.

With Bowe and Davis leaving for the NFL, Doucet entered 2007 positioned to become the veteran leader of LSU’s receiving corps.

An Injury Tests His Senior Season

Doucet opened 2007 as LSU’s top returning receiver and began the season with nine receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown in a victory over Mississippi State. He also caught a touchdown the following week as LSU overwhelmed No. 9 Virginia Tech 48 to 7.

A groin injury then interrupted his senior season and kept him out of a significant portion of LSU’s schedule. The injury limited Doucet to 10 games, but he still finished as the Tigers’ leading receiver.

When he returned to full action against Auburn, Doucet immediately showed what LSU had been missing. He caught seven passes for 93 yards as the Tigers won 30 to 24 in Tiger Stadium.

His most dramatic regular season moment came against Alabama.

LSU trailed 34 to 27 late in the fourth quarter and faced fourth and four. Flynn threw a screen pass to Doucet, who turned it into a 32 yard touchdown.

The score tied the game at 34.

LSU eventually won 41 to 34. Doucet caught five passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.

Despite the injury problems, Doucet finished his senior season with 57 receptions for 525 yards and five touchdowns.

LSU had bigger goals ahead.

An SEC Champion

LSU reached the 2007 SEC Championship Game against Tennessee with a chance to keep its national championship hopes alive.

Flynn was unable to start because of an injury, putting the offense in the hands of Perrilloux.

Doucet provided his young quarterback with a dependable veteran target. He led LSU with five receptions for 29 yards as the Tigers defeated Tennessee 21 to 14.

The victory gave LSU the SEC championship.

Events elsewhere in college football then opened the door for the Tigers to play for the national championship.

LSU was headed home to New Orleans.

Finishing His LSU Career as a National Champion

Doucet played his final college game against Ohio State in the BCS National Championship Game.

He once again delivered in a major game.

Doucet led LSU with seven receptions for 51 yards. In the third quarter, Flynn found him for a four yard touchdown that extended LSU’s lead to 31 to 10.

LSU defeated Ohio State 38 to 24.

Doucet had arrived at LSU as one of Louisiana’s most celebrated recruits. Four years later, he ended his college career in New Orleans as an SEC champion and national champion.

Few LSU careers could have ended more appropriately.

Doucet’s LSU Career by the Numbers

Doucet appeared in 47 games for LSU and made 24 career starts. He finished with 160 receptions for 1,943 yards and 20 receiving touchdowns. He also rushed 12 times for 61 yards and two scores.

As a freshman in 2004, Doucet caught 18 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns. He followed with 26 receptions for 389 yards and five touchdowns in 2005.

His best statistical season came in 2006, when he recorded 59 receptions for 772 yards and eight touchdowns. Despite his injury problems in 2007, Doucet finished his senior season with 57 catches for 525 yards and five touchdowns.

When his LSU career ended, his 20 receiving touchdowns ranked third in school history. His 160 receptions ranked fourth, while his 1,943 receiving yards ranked ninth.

Later LSU offenses became far more dependent on the passing game, and receivers such as Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Malik Nabers and others produced numbers that moved Doucet down the modern record book.

That should not obscure what Doucet accomplished. His numbers came during an era when LSU’s offense was built more heavily around the running game and defense.

Five Years in the NFL

The Arizona Cardinals selected Doucet in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft with the 81st overall pick.

He spent five seasons with Arizona from 2008 through 2012. Doucet appeared in 54 regular season games with 14 starts and caught 139 passes for 1,491 yards and seven touchdowns.

His best professional season came in 2011. Doucet played all 16 games and finished with 54 receptions for 689 yards and five touchdowns. His longest NFL reception went for 70 yards that season.

Doucet was also part of the 2008 Arizona team that won the NFC championship and advanced to Super Bowl XLIII.

His NFL career was solid, but his place in LSU history had already been secured before he ever played a professional game.

Giving Back After Football

Doucet also used his platform to help young people.

During his professional career, he established the 980 Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to mentor young people and help those considered at risk. At the foundation’s first event in 2008, Doucet provided Christmas gifts and school supplies to children involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters in Baton Rouge.

His connection to St. Martinville has also continued.

In July 2025, Doucet returned to his former high school for a youth football camp. Young players participated in position drills, combine work, team competitions and other football activities with Doucet and members of the St. Martinville coaching staff.

More than two decades after becoming one of the most highly recruited players in Louisiana, Doucet was back where his football career began, helping another generation of young players.

Why Early Doucet Is No. 93

Early Doucet is not ranked No. 93 because of one enormous statistical season. His place on this list comes from four years of production, versatility and a remarkable collection of important plays.

He caught the winning touchdown on fourth and 10 against Arizona State in LSU’s first game following Hurricane Katrina. He caught another winning touchdown with nine seconds remaining at Tennessee. He turned a screen pass into a 32 yard score on fourth down to help LSU beat Alabama in 2007.

Then, despite dealing with an injury interrupted senior season, Doucet led LSU in receptions and helped the Tigers win both the SEC championship and the national championship. His final college game ended with him leading LSU in receiving and catching a touchdown against Ohio State.

Doucet finished with 160 receptions and 20 touchdown catches during an era when LSU did not build its offense around throwing the football at the volume seen in later seasons.

There have been LSU receivers with larger numbers and more individual awards. Few, however, produced as many memorable catches at decisive moments.

That is why Early Doucet belongs among the Top 100 LSU Tigers of all time.

At No. 93, he represents a four year LSU career built on production, big plays and championships.

Sources

LSU Athletics, Early Doucet player biography and career statistics
https://lsusports.net/sports/fb/roster/player/early-doucet

LSU Athletics, LSU vs. Arizona State official statistics, September 10, 2005
https://static.lsusports.net/assets/docs/fb/05stats/ls091005.htm

LSU Athletics, No. 5 LSU rallies past No. 15 Arizona State, 35 to 31
https://lsusports.net/news/2005/09/10/187984

LSU Athletics, Early Doucet gives back through the 980 Foundation
https://lsusports.net/news/2008/12/09/3631061/

NFL, Early Doucet career statistics
https://www.nfl.com/players/early-doucet/stats/career

Pro Football Reference, Early Doucet career statistics and NFL Draft information
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DoucEa00.htm

Teche Today, St. Martinville football camp featuring Early Doucet, July 2025
https://www.techetoday.com/article/3253%2Csmsh-football-camp-with-early-doucet-draws-crowd