Tom Dodge
The road to a Division I baseball program has been filled with twists and turns for former Eunice High All-State catcher Joshua Youngblood.
Youngblood originally signed with Nicholls State University but never joined the Colonels baseball team.
He then went to LSU Alexandria before moving to Angelina College.
“It didn’t work out financially for me to go to Nicholls so I went to LSUA my first year out of high school.”
Youngblood’s time in the Generals line-up was limited to the fall schedule and eight games in the spring of 2019 before injuring his elbow.
“It was tough for me to watch them play as I sat around the rest of the season.”
That medical redshirt then led him to Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas.
“I thought I would have more opportunity with a major junior college in Texas,” he said.
His career with the Roadrunners was shortened by the conronavirus pandemic.
Youngblood is now heading to Brigham Young University to play baseball for the Cougars.
The recruitment by BYU actually began when the Cougar coaches were watching a player from another team according to Youngblood.
“They saw me play and starting contacting and recruiting me,” he said. “We never made a trip to Utah but I am excited about joining their team.”
Youngblood said because of his medical redshirt and getting the COVID-19 season back, he will have four years of eligibility at BYU.
“It is not the baseball aspect the most,” he said, “it is learning about their culture and what they stand for.”
Although BYU is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is possible for a non-Mormon to attend.
“I am looking forward to joining a new team and build a bond with them,” he said.
Youngblood also played football in high school, but baseball was his favorite sport.
“Playing for Coach Phil was great,” Youngblood said. “I started playing for him when I was four years old.
I not only learned baseball from him but also how to become more of a man.”
After playing third base for most of his younger days, Youngblood moved to catcher his freshman season at EHS.
“They had no catcher in my class and the coaches thought I could fit that spot. It was the best move that could have ever happened for me.”
He said he learned a lot from watching Gunner Fontenot before it was his turn to be a Bobcat starter.
“He helped mold me and polish me as a catcher.”
Youngblood was a three-time All-District selection and he earned LSWA All-State honors his senior season.
Youngblood hit .421 with 43 RBIs, five triples, 15 doubles and two home runs his senior season.
The 2018 Bobcats advanced to the Class 3-A quarterfinals.
He also earned Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association Region 5 honors and played in the All-Star game that year.
“His senior year he was a leader for us,” Phillips said. “Behind the plate he was a solid dude – he was a shutdown catcher as every one feared his arm and no one would run on him.
“We played him and third and thought about putting him in the outfield because he can run,” Phillips said. “He jumped in as a catcher his sophomore season and never looked back – he did well for us.”
He is the son of Joshua and Marcell Youngblood of Iota and his grandfather Larry was the pastor of New Hope Fellowship in Eunice for 25 years.
“My parents have been more supportive than I could have expected,” he said. “They aren’t upset that I am moving, they understand and that really means a lot.
“I will miss them being around me when I move.”
Youngblood said he is spending time in the batting cage this summer to improve his hitting before reporting to BYU on Aug. 28 with school scheduled to begin on Aug. 31.
“I am definitely a defensive guy,” he said. “But I want to become a better hitter.”
His major will be in exercise science as he plans to become a chiropractor.
“He still has the drive to play even with the layoff because of the virus,” Phillips said. “I’m glad to see him get the opportunity to play after all the paths he has taken in his college career.
“He has two years of college under his belt so he is really like a junior but has four years still to play ball.”