RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech football had five players selected to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association's (LSWA) 2023 All-Louisiana Football Team, the organization announced Sunday.
Return specialist
Smoke Harris, punter
Blake Ochsendorf, and defensive back
Willie Roberts all earned first-team honors. Harris also made the second team as a wide receiver in addition to linebacker
Jeslord Boateng, while offensive lineman
Bert Hale earned honorable mention recognition.
A panel of LSWA and sports media relations personnel voted on nominations submitted by the schools at each of the positions through the regular season. School media relations members could not vote for their own players.
Harris was electrifying in the return game with 283 punt return yards and one touchdown. He had the two highest single-game punt return yards in Conference USA this season, registering 72 at UTEP and 70 against WKU. At UTEP, he became the first Bulldog since 2017 to return a punt for a touchdown with a conference-long 67-yard punt return during the victory. He was one of the most reliable receivers in the country, hauling in 83 receptions for 796 yards and four touchdowns. He led all CUSA players with four games of 10+ receptions this season while tying for third among all CUSA receivers in scrimmage plays over 10 yards with 31. The St. Francisville native ended the season, having caught a pass in 44 consecutive games.
Ochsendorf made an immediate impact during his lone season at Tech, leading CUSA and ranking 15th nationally with a 45.72 punting average while recording a 48.09 punting average during league contests, which ranked third nationally. The Minnesota native had 17 punts of 50+ yards, while 18 were downed inside the 20-yard line. Ochsendorf ended the season as the all-time leader in career punting average at Louisiana Tech at 45.72 (minimum of 50 punts).
Roberts was one of the top defensive backs in the country in 2023. The 2023 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist led the conference and ranked fifth nationally with 12 pass breakups during the regular season, nine of which came during league play. Opponents completed 34.8 percent of passes against him (16-48) during the season. The Fort Worth product also totaled 38 tackles and an interception, forced fumble, and fumble recovery.
Boateng led LA Tech with 93 total tackles this season, including a team-high nine tackles for loss. He finished the regular season ranked fifth among all CUSA players in total tackles (93), and tied for sixth in tackles for loss (9). Boateng led the Bulldogs in tackles in consecutive weeks with 13 against Liberty and 11 against Sam Houston while posting nine or more tackles in four games in 2023.
Hale started 11 games on the Bulldogs offensive line in 2023, helping pave the way for seven 100+ yard rushing games. The Epps product played a vital role in protecting the quarterback in the Bulldogs' passing offense which ranked third in CUSA at 260.9 yards per game and pass blocked in four 300+-yard passing performances.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels of LSU was named the state's offensive player of the year, defensive lineman Patrick Jenkins of Tulane was defensive player of the year, and Tulane's Willie Fritz was named coach of the year. Additionally, Tulane running back Makhi Hughes earned freshman of the year honors, and quarterback Pat McQuaide of Nicholls was named newcomer of the year.
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