Quarterback Haack leaving the Cajuns football team

With the possibility, and perhaps even likelihood, of not starting next season looming, former No. 1 quarterback Brooks Haack announced on Friday that he has left the University of Louisiana at Lafayette football program.

Haack, who would have been spending his fifth and final season at UL in 2016 had he chosen to stay, started eight games in 2015 for a Ragin’ Cajuns team that finished 4-8 in 2015.

Usual No. 3 quarterback Jordan Davis, however, played most of UL’s season-ending loss to Troy on Dec. 5 at Cajun Field.

After initially revealing his decision via Twitter, Haack — a team captain — said later that he “loved my four years at this university.”

“I want to thank my teammates and fans for the support,” he said.

“But it’s time to start a new chapter in my life,” added Haack, who was 123-of-201 for 1,407 yards with five touchdown passes but seven interceptions this season. “And I’m really looking forward to it.”

UL head coach Mark Hudspeth, who confirmed the departure Friday, has not yet named a starter for next season.

That probably won't happen until sometime next month at the earliest.

He previously said it is a possibility that Jalen Nixon — a redshirt junior who was UL’s No. 2 quarterback most of the season, and a starter for four games — would move to running back in 2016.

“Obviously (Haack) feels like with the way the season ended up that we may be looking to go in a different direction,” said Hudspeth, whose Cajuns lost four straight with Haack as their starter to close 2015.

“I think he, more than anything, wants to find an offense that fits his style of play and what he can bring to the table.”

The Cajuns run a read-option offense that is not ideally conducive to the skill set of Haack, a product of Katy High in Texas who is considered to be a better passer than a runner.

Nixon, from Carencro High, is considered to be the better runner of the two.

Those two competed for the right to succeed Terrance Broadway as UL’s starter most of this year, and the Cajuns never really did settle on Haack as the starter until late in the season.

Davis, a highly regarded Texan, is a dual-threat quarterback who seems well-suited to the offense UL runs.

The Cajuns also like Chris Weaver, a true freshman from Alabama who did not play this past season.

Haack will now try to graduate from UL — he already is enrolled in accelerated winter-session classes — in time to transfer and take part in spring practice elsewhere in 2016.

Graduating will allow him to transfer to and play next season at any NCAA program including FBS teams, as opposed to only lower-level schools.

His next destination, however, remained uncertain as of Friday.

“I told him, obviously, we’ll help him find a home,” Hudspeth said. “I want to wish him well in everything he does.

“We’re very appreciative of his hard work and his efforts here the last four years,” the Cajuns coach added in a phone interview. “He was an integral part of our team, and (I’m) very proud that he’s gonna leave here a graduate.”

Haack disclosed his departure via Twitter under the heading “Thank you Lafayette,” and tweeted a photo saying this: “sad that it had to come to an end.. I wish it would have worked out but God has a plan for everyone and it’s our duty to fulfill that plan.. I love Lafayette like a second home and will definitely not be a stranger.. Thank you for the great memories..”

Haack, who represented UL on a mission trip to Haiti earlier this year, then quoted scripture, “Isaiah 40:31: but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”