By Stephen Featherston, Louisiana Tech Director of Strategic Communications; featured photo by Josh McDaniel
Seven Louisiana Tech football players received Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference USA honors, led by tight end Eli Finley and linebacker Kolbe Fields on the first team, the outlet announced.
Following Finley and Fields on the first team was Hayden Christman (offensive tackle) who earned second-team recognition. Omiri Wiggins (running back), Landon Nelson(center) and Sifa Leota (linebacker) were named to the third team, while Cedric Woods(corner) rounded out the seven Bulldog honorees with fourth-team honors.
Finley returns for his third season with the Bulldogs after starting in all 13 games at tight end last season. The Heath, Texas, native caught 25 passes for 314 yards and two scores and earned All-CUSA Honorable Mention honors. He ranked third on the team in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns, and is the leading returning receiver in all three categories heading into 2025. Finley caught at least one pass in 11 games and recording multiple receptions in eight games. He posted a season-high 91 receiving yards on three catches against Tulsa.
Fields is set for his third season in Ruston and his second in an active role after earning All-CUSA Second Team honors last season. The New Orleans native played and started in 11 games last season while registering 71 tackles (38 solo, 33 assists), nine tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups. Fields recorded three games with double-digit tackles while leading the Bulldogs in tackles four times. He made a season-high 12 stops in the season opener against Nicholls, while posting 10 tackles against New Mexico State and 11 versus UTEP. His 71 stops were second most on the team.
Christman was named to the second team after playing in all 13 games with 11 starts at right tackle as a redshirt freshman in 2024. The Tioga native took over the starting right tackle role against Tulsa and never looked back. He was a pivotal member of the offensive line, helping the Bulldogs average 223.5 yards per game through the air, the CUSA’s fourth best passing offense. He helped pave the way for seven 100+ rushing yard performances and three 200+ yard rushing games.
Wiggins was named to the third team after a successful 2024 campaign that saw him take over the starting running back role. The junior college transfer played in all 13 games while making nine starts in the backfield. Wiggins rushed for 527 yards and four scores on 111 carries to average 4.7 yards per rush. The versatile back caught 20 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns. The Lafayette native ran for a season-high 129 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season finale versus Kennesaw.
Nelson, who is expected to be a key piece of the offensive line at center, joins Wiggins on the offensive side of the ball with third-team recognition. The former Iowa Western CC product has appeared in 20 games over the past three seasons, including 12 games and 10 starts at center in 2024. Nelson started in the first six games last season before missing the UTEP game due to injury. He would go on to start the final four games.
Leota joins Fields at linebacker with third team preseason honors. The Euless, Texas, native saw action in all 13 games with two starts in 2024 after transferring from North Texas. He recorded 43 stops, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Leota tallied at least one tackle for loss in five games. He recorded a season-high nine tackles against Jax State, while finishing with seven stops, one sack and one TFL in the regular season finale versus Kennesaw. Leota is the team’s top-returning sack leader heading into 2025.
Woods, who announced he was coming back for his sixth season after the Independence Bowl, earned Phil Steele Preseason Fourth Team All-Conference USA for the second time in his career. The Monroe native has played in 47 career games with 45 starts dating back to the 2020 season where he started in all 10 games as a true freshman. Woods started in 12 games last season and collected 30 tackles and five pass breakups. He tallied a season-high seven tackles on the road at NC State. Woods returned one punt for 49 yards against Tulsa.
The Bulldogs will play six games at Joe Aillet Stadium, kicking off against Southeastern on Aug. 30. The home slate includes two non-conference games and four Conference USA matchups.
Season tickets for the 2025 Louisiana Tech football season are available for purchase online at latechsports.evenue.net.
