RUSTON – Conference USA released its 2025 Preseason Watch List on Friday afternoon, with four Bulldogs earning recognition. Up to five student-athletes from each of the leagues 12 members were selected as key players to watch heading into the 2025 campaign.
 
Louisiana Tech was represented by offensive linemen Landon Nelson and Hayden Christman, along with linebacker Kolbe Fields and defensive back Cedric Woods.
 
Christman is slated for his second season in a starting role 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 started the final 11 contests. 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.
 
Nelson is set for his fourth season in Ruston and his sixth season as a college football player. 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. 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.
 
Fields looks to build on a 2024 campaign that saw him earn All-CUSA Second Team honors in his first season as a starter. 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 and he enters the season as the team's top returning tackler.
 
Woods announced he was set to return for his sixth season in early January as he looks to build on career that has seen him play in 47 games with 45 starts across five seasons. The Monroe native played and 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.
 
CUSA made a change to its preseason poll voting for the 2025 season and introduced a Bowl Confidence Index. "The Bowl Confidence Index introduces a new approach to our preseason football coverage. Rather than ranking teams from one through twelve, voters will now select the teams they believe will qualify for a bowl game. This fresh format avoids some of the challenges that came with the traditional media poll, such as roster turnover and new members adjusting to the league. It also complements our existing preseason individual awards and offers fans a broader look at teams with postseason potential."
 
The voting panel included 24 voters, consisting of one SID and one media representative from each school.
 
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

Liberty	100%
WKU	100%
Jacksonville State	91.67%
LA Tech	75.00%
Sam Houston	45.83%
UTEP	41.67%
FIU	37.50%
Delaware	29.17%
Middle Tennessee	25.00%
New Mexico State	25.00%
Kennesaw State	16.67%
Missouri State	12.50%

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.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Football, follow us on X (@LATechFB), Instagram (@LATechFB), and Facebook (LATechFootball).