Twenty-Year Team, Best Players to Play at La Tech Since 2000

Ben Carlisle, the publisher, provided the nominations and the players were voted on by members of BleedTechBlue.com to make the selections. At every position, outside of kicker, punter, and return specialist, the members were able to vote for multiple nominees. The following players were selected to the “Twenty-Year Team.”

Xavier Woods and Ryan Allen were the only players that were unanimous selections for the team.

Offense

Quarterbacks: Luke McCown (75.3%), Colby Cameron (48.4%)

-Luke McCown (43 GP, 12,666 yards passing, 97 TDs, 62 INTs) played at Louisiana Tech from 2000-2003. McCown led Louisiana Tech to a WAC Championship in 2001. Following the WAC Championship, Tech played Clemson in the Humanitarian Bowl. The Jacksonville, TX native was selected in the 4th round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns and played 12 years in the NFL.

-Colby Cameron (34 GP, 6,417 yards passing, 50 TDs, 13 INTs) played at Louisiana Tech from 2008-2012. Cameron became the starter mid-way through his junior season in 2011 and led Tech to 7 straight wins and a WAC Championship in 2011. The Bulldogs would go on to face TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl, falling 31-24. In 2012, Cameron led one of the best offenses in college football history that averaged 578 yards per game and 51.5 points per game.

-Just Missed: Jeff Driskel (14 GP, 4,026 yards passing, 32 TDs, 8 INTs)

Running Backs: Kenneth Dixon (97.5%), Ryan Moats (90%)

-Kenneth Dixon (47 GP, 4,483 yards rushing, 969 yards receiving, 87 TDs) burst on to the scene as a true freshman in 2012 with 28 totals touchdowns for an offense that led the nation averaging 51.5 points per game. In that 2012 season, Dixon ran for a career-high 232 yards and 6 touchdowns in a win over Idaho. Dixon will always be remembered as one of the best RBs in NCAA history. In 2016, Dixon was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 4th round of the NFL Draft. Dixon is currently a member of the New York Jets.

-Ryan Moats (34 GP, 3,112 yards rushing, 441 yards receiving, 30 TDs) will always be a player that is revered by the Tech faithful. In 2004, Moats rushed for over 1,700 yards and 18 TDs. On October 2, 2004, Moats was handed the ball 34 times and rushed for 234 yards and 4 TDs in an upset win over 17th ranked Fresno State. The goal posts came down in Ruston on that fall night, a night that will forever be remembered. Moats was selected in the 3rd round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and played 5 seasons at the highest level.

Wide Receivers: Trent Taylor (95.3%), Quinton Patton (94.2%), Carlos Henderson (70.9%)

-Trent Taylor (51 GP, 327 catches, 4,179 yards, 32 TDs) was not all that highly recruited coming out of Evangel Christian in 2013 as a 5’8, 170-pound slot receiver . Boy was that a mistake. Taylor went on to have 327 career receptions at Louisiana Tech, 5th most in NCAA history. One game that stands out the most in Taylor’s career was a 12-catch, 233-yard, 2 TD performance in a 48-45 win over Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl in the final game of his collegiate career. Taylor was selected in the 5th round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers and is still currently playing for the franchise.

-Quinton Patton (25 GP, 183 catches, 2,594 yards, 24 TDs) only played two years at Louisiana Tech but was extremely impactful. The General, a fan favorite, provided electrifying plays seemingly every week. In 2012, Patton had 21 catches, 233 yards and 4 TDs in a 59-57 loss to Texas A&M. To this day, I have to imagine that Texas A&M CB Dustin Harris still has nightmares after being torched by Patton all night long. Patton was a 4th round selection of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2013 NFL Draft.

-Carlos Henderson (36 GP, 147 catches, 2,878 yards, 28 TDs) is right up there with Troy Edwards when it comes to having the ability to take it the distance every time he touched the ball. Henderson emerged as a junior with over 1,500 yards receiving and 21 TDs. Against UMass in 2016, Henderson went for 12 catches, 326 yards, and 5 TDs in one of the best single-game performances in program history. Henderson was a 3rd round pick of the Denver Broncos in the 2017 NFL Draft.

-Just Missed: Sean Cangelosi (42 GP, 155 catches, 2,111 yards, 21 TDs), Delwyn Daigre(43 GP, 234 catches, 3,056 yards, 25 TDs), John Simon (46 GP, 262 catches, 2,596 yards receiving, 10 TDs, 1,121 yards rushing, 5 TDs)

Tight End: Dennis Morris (98.3%)

-Dennis Morris (47 GP, 70 catches, 1,144 yards, 16 TDs) won the TE vote in runaway fashion. Morris finished his senior season with 12 TD receptions, which was first nationally among TEs in 2009. The best performance of his career came against Fresno State in 2009 when Morris hauled in 7 passes for 131 yards and 3 TDs. Morris was a 6th round selection of the Washington Redskins in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Offensive Line: Jordan Mills (87.7%), Stephen Warner (77.2%), O’Shea Dugas (43.9%)

-Jordan Mills played at Louisiana Tech from 2009-2012. Mills saw action in 7 games as a true freshman and 5 as a sophomore before starting all 25 games his junior and senior seasons. Following his senior season, Mills was named First Team All-WAC. The Napoleonville, LA native was selected in the 5th round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears and is still currently playing in the NFL having just wrapped up his 7th season.

-Stephen Warner played at Louisiana Tech from 2008-2012. The Ruston, LA native walked-on in 2008 but quickly earned a scholarship. Warner earned many accolades during his time as a Bulldog. Warner was a team caption in 2010 and 2011 and First Team All-WAC and First Team All Louisiana in 2011 and 2012. Warner was also named to the Lombardi Award Watch List, Outland Trophy Watch List, and Rimington Trophy Watch List prior to the 2012 season. Warner started the last 40 games of his Bulldog career.

-O’Shea Dugas played at Louisiana Tech from 2015-2018. Dugas was named a Freshman All-American in 2015 after playing in all 13 games and starting 12 at left guard. Dugas was named 2nd Team All-Conference USA in both 2016 and 2017. After shifting to left tackle in 2018, Dugas was named 1st Team All-Conference USA. In total, Dugas played in 49 games as a Bulldog and started 44 of those games.

-Just Missed: Ethan Reed, Aaron Lips

Defense

Defensive Line: Jaylon Ferguson (95.9%), Vernon Butler (94.5%), Justin “Jellybean” Ellis (56.2%), D’Anthony Smith (54.8%)

-Jaylon Ferguson (50 GP, 187 tackles, 67.5 TFL, 45 sacks) played at Louisiana Tech from 2014-2018. Ferugson is the NCAA All-Time Sack Leader with 45. Ferguson secured the record in the final game of his collegiate career when he collected 2.5 sacks in Tech’s 31-14 win over Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl. Ferguson’s career-high for sacks in a game came in 2018 when he sacked Mason Fine 4 times in Tech’s 29-27 win over North Texas. Sack Daddy was selected as the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year following the 2018 season. Ferguson was a 3rd round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2019 NFL Draft.

-Vernon Butler (48 GP, 168 tackles, 28.5 TFL, 5 sacks) played at Louisiana Tech from 2012-2015. The 6’3, 316-pounder had a fantastic career as an interior defensive lineman for the Bulldogs. In his final 27 games at Tech, Butler collected 22.5 TFL and 4 sacks. Butler was selected in the 1st round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers and recently signed a 2-year, 16 million dollar contract with the Buffalo Bills.

-Justin “Jellybean” Ellis (40 GP, 102 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks) played at Louisiana Tech from 2009-2013. In his senior season, Ellis collected a career-high 48 tackles, 5.5 TFL, and 1.5 sacks. Ellis had a career-high 2.5 TFL in a Tech win over Southern Miss back in 2013. Ellis was selected in the 4th round of the 2014 NFL Draft and just re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens as he gets ready for his 7th NFL season.

-D’Anthony Smith (49 GP, 197 tackles, 23.5 TFL, 12.5 sacks) played at Louisiana Tech from 2006-2009. Smith was extremely impactful throughout and was extremely versatile with his ability to play DE or DT. Smith played a key role on Tech’s 2008 Independence Bowl team when he had a career-high 8 TFL and 5 sacks. Smith was selected in the 3rd round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars and played 6 seasons in the NFL.

-Just Missed: Matt Broha (50 GP, 152 tackles, 32 TFL, 22 sacks)

Linebackers: Adrien Cole (91.1%), Quin Harris (79.7%), Nick Thomason (27.8%)

-Adrien Cole (44 GP, 331 tackles, 22.5 TFL, 6 sacks, 1 INT) played at Louisiana Tech from 2008-2011. Cole was a DUDE. In 2011, Cole led the Bulldogs with 128 tackles and 13 tackles for loss. The Mobile, AL native had a career-high 17 tackles in Tech’s 23-20 come from behind victory at Nevada that put the Bulldogs in position to win a WAC Championship. Cole was a two-time First Team All-WAC selection.

-Quin Harris (46 GP, 275 tackles, 19 TFL, 6 sacks, 5 INTs) played at Louisiana Tech from 2005-2008. The Visalia, CA native made an impact throughout his Bulldog career. Harris collected 6 tackles in Louisiana Tech’s 17-10 win over Northern Illinois in the Independence Bowl in 2008.

-Nick Thomason (25 GP, 134 tackles, 19.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 INTs) played at Louisiana Tech from 2013-2015. Thomason was a part of Skip Holtz’s first recruiting class when he came to Louisiana Tech. In 2015, Thomason led the Bulldogs with 12.5 TFL and was named second team All-Conference USA.

-Just Missed: Jay Dudley (37 GP, 271 tackles, 14 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 4 INTs), Connor Taylor (25 GP, 106 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT), Byron Santiago (44 GP, 271 tackles, 30 TFL, 10 sacks, 3 INTs)

Cornerbacks: Amik Robertson (98.6%), Tramon Williams (63.4%), Adairius Barnes (45.1%)

-Amik Robertson (38 GP, 184 tackles, 23 TFL, 4 sacks, 14 INTS) played at Louisiana Tech from 2017-2019. What more can be said about Robertson? He’s the hardest worker I’ve ever seen. Robertson was special from the minute he walked onto campus after choosing the Bulldogs over LSU and Texas in the days before signing day. Robertson was a 1st Team All-Conference USA selection in 2018 and 2019. The best game of Robertson’s career came in 2019 against Southern Miss when he picked off USM QB Jack Abraham 3 times in Tech’s 45-30 win. Robertson is getting set to hear his name called later this month in the 2020 NFL Draft.

-Tramon Williams (33 GP, 91 tackles, 3 TFL, 7 INTs) played at Louisiana Tech from 2003-2005. Williams was a walk-on for Tech but made an impact throughout his career. His biggest moment came in 2004 when he picked off Fresno State QB Paul Pinegar on a night when the good guys from Ruston took down 17th ranked Fresno at home. Although he went undrafted, Williams just wrapped up his 12th NFL season in 2019.

-Adairius Barnes (44 GP, 150 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 sack, 10 INTs) played at Louisiana Tech from 2012-2015. Barnes' best moment as a Bulldog came back in 2014 when he recorded two interceptions against WKU QB Brandon Doughty in Tech’s 59-10 win at home over the Hilltoppers. The Port Gibson, MS native did not get drafted out of Louisiana Tech in 2015 but spent 3 seasons in the NFL with the Detroit Lions.

-Just Missed: Weldon Brown (45 GP, 166 tackles, 3 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 9 INTs), L’Jarius Sneed (42 GP, 177 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 8 INTs)

Safeties: Xavier Woods (100%), Antonio Baker (67.6%), Bobby Gray (57.4%)

-Xavier Woods (51 GP, 272 tackles, 20.5 TFL, 4 sacks, 14 INTs) played at Louisiana Tech from 2013-2016. The West Monroe, LA native was an impact player the minute he stepped on campus in Ruston. Woods was a First Team All-Conference USA selection in 2014 and 2015. In 2014, Woods intercepted 6 passes and returned them for a school-record 230 yards, including two for touchdowns. Woods was selected in the 6th round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys and just finished up his 3rd season with the franchise.

-Antonio Baker (45 GP, 352 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 10 INTs) played at Louisiana Tech from 2006-2009. Baker registered 115+ tackles in both his sophomore and junior seasons. In 2008 as a junior, Baker was named the LSWA Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-WAC. A broken leg prematurely ended Baker’s career after 9 games in 2009.

-Bobby Gray (44 GP, 393 tackles, 5 INTs, 10 FR) played at Louisiana Tech from 1998-2001. Gray registered 115 tackles in 2000 as a junior, including a career-high 18 tackles against Hawaii in the season finale. Gray was selected in the 5th round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears and spent 4 seasons in the league.

-Just Missed: Kentrell Brice (43 GP, 210 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 3 INTs, 3 FR)

Kicker: Josh Scobee (50%)

-Josh Scobee (47 GP, 144/152 on XP, 65/91 (71%) on FGs, 339 career points) played at Louisiana Tech from 2000-2003. Scobee’s best year came in 2001 when he hit 18/22 field goals in a year that Louisiana Tech won the WAC Championship. The Longview, TX native was named to the WAC All-Decade Team in 2010. Scobee was selected in the 5th round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars and played 12 seasons in the NFL.

-Just Missed: Jonathan Barnes (51 GP, 219/226 on XP, 81/103 (79%) on FGs, 462 career points)

Punter: Ryan Allen (100%)

-Ryan Allen (37 GP, 188 punts, 44.9 yards per punt) played at Louisiana Tech from 2010-2012. Allen put together one of the best careers for a punter in NCAA history as he won the Ray Guy Award in both 2011 and 2012. The Salem, OR native was an All-American in both 2011 and 2012 as well. In 2012, Allen became the first Unanimous First Team All-American in program history. Allen was undrafted in 2013, but has spent 7 seasons in the NFL playing for the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons.

Return Specialist: Phillip Livas (76.9%)

-Phillip Livas (107 kick returns for 2,758 yards, 4 TDs, 43 punt returns for 587 yards, 4 TDs) played at Louisiana Tech from 2007-2010. When Livas wrapped up his career in 2010, he was tied for first in NCAA history with 8 career returns for touchdown. The Houma, LA native spent a brief time in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins.

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