LA Tech Adds 23 Newcomers to 2015 Recruiting Class

Parkway, Haughton, Huntington and Northwood are among the schools who are sending student-athletes to Louisiana Tech as part of Skip Holtz's 2015 class of recruits.

RUSTON, La. - Louisiana Tech head football coach Skip Holtz announced the signing of 21 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, wrapping up a successful day in which 23 student-athletes announced they would be joining the Bulldog football program.

In all, the class that Holtz and the coaching staff recruited for 2015 counts 22 of the 23 newcomers coming straight from high school with one transfer from a four-year college in quarterback Jeff Driskel.

"I am excited about the quality of character as well as the speed and athleticism in this class," Holtz said. "I really like that we have 11 signees from Louisiana. With all but one of our newcomers announced today coming from high school. It took a while to ween us off of being dependent on junior college players. I am excited these players will be in our program for four to five years. We are adding long term depth and stability to our program."

Overall, the program is bringing in 14 players on defense and nine players on offense.

Defensively, LA Tech filled immediate needs across the board with three players at every position except defensive end, which brings in two newcomers. The Bulldogs lose three starters at linebacker and a handful on the defensive line off a defensive unit that was one of the most aggressive and opportunistic units in the country throughout the 2014 season.

"We signed a full defense today with five on the line, six in the secondary and three at linebacker," Holtz said of the defensive additions. "We needed those numbers on defense with what walked out the door due to graduation and I think we did a great job replenishing that needed depth."

On the offense, the Bulldogs add depth on the line with three newcomers to replace the departed Mitchell Bell and Tre Carter, adding much needed depth. Driskel, a transfer from Florida, will provide experience at quarterback while Jaqwis Dancy is a talented tailback that will get the chance to learn behind returning starter and All-American running back Kenneth Dixon.

"On offense, Jeff Driskel will have an immediate impact in our quarterback room with the experience he has at the collegiate level, Holtz said. "With three additions to the offensive line, some of them will have the chance to be in the depth chart right away."

The Bulldogs will open spring practice on Friday, March 13 and will hold 15 spring practices between then and the Spring Game on Saturday, April 18.

Louisiana Tech opens the 2015 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 as the Bulldogs host Southern in the newly expanded Joe Aillet Stadium. Season tickets for LA Tech's six home games are currently on sale.

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