Photo by: Josh McDaniel
Dedrick Latulas Named Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week
9/7/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
The Bulldog receiver and return specialist receives the first SBC weekly honor for Louisiana Tech, as well as the first weekly honor of his career.
RUSTON – Fourth-year receiver and return specialist Dedrick Latulas has been named the Sun Belt Special Teams Player of the Week, per the league office's release Monday afternoon.
The New Iberia native finished with a pair of touchdowns and 107 all-purpose yards in Louisiana Tech's massive 80-6 win over in-state foe Northwestern State. 97 of those yards came from his four punt returns on the night, including a 58-yard punt return that played part in a 42-point second quarter for the Bulldogs.
It was the longest punt return for a touchdown by a Bulldog since Smoke Harris had a 67-yard punt return against UTEP in 2023. Prior to the start of the season, Latulas had not registered a single touchdown in his college career.
After LA Tech had already built a 67-point lead in the third quarter, Latulas caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Trey Kukuk, giving him multiple receptions in the same game for just the third time in his career. The veteran return man became the first Bulldog with a receiving touchdown and a punt return for a touchdown in the same game since Paul Turner did so against Southern during the 2015 season.
Latulas' weekly honor marks the 16th time since 2023 a Bulldog has earned the recognition, and the ninth to receive the award for efforts on special teams. The last time a LA Tech punt returner was named Special Teams Player of the Week was Smoke Harris on October 2, 2023.
The Bulldogs saw nine total weekly awards in 2025, four of which were for special teams.
Latulas and the Bulldogs are back in action in Baton Rouge on Saturday, September 12 to take on No. 5 LSU at Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.
SUPPORT LA TECH ATHLETICS
Championships require championship resources. Fans can make a direct impact on the success of LA Tech Athletics through LTAC, Aillet Society, T-Club, and Young Alumni program as well as the CHAMP fund, a revenue-sharing initiative designed to directly support LA Tech Athletics through NIL and marketing opportunities for Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes. Visit BuildTheLegacy.com today.
BARK LOUDER
Our mission is to engage, develop, and advance the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand. You can do that by spending time consuming our content and by investing your talents. By barking louder with your time and talent, you can affect progress and brand advancement in a meaningful way. Visit LATechSports.com/BarkLouder today. You bark. We bark. Louder together.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Football, follow us on X (@LATechFB), Instagram (@LATechFB), and Facebook (LATechFootball).
The New Iberia native finished with a pair of touchdowns and 107 all-purpose yards in Louisiana Tech's massive 80-6 win over in-state foe Northwestern State. 97 of those yards came from his four punt returns on the night, including a 58-yard punt return that played part in a 42-point second quarter for the Bulldogs.
It was the longest punt return for a touchdown by a Bulldog since Smoke Harris had a 67-yard punt return against UTEP in 2023. Prior to the start of the season, Latulas had not registered a single touchdown in his college career.
After LA Tech had already built a 67-point lead in the third quarter, Latulas caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Trey Kukuk, giving him multiple receptions in the same game for just the third time in his career. The veteran return man became the first Bulldog with a receiving touchdown and a punt return for a touchdown in the same game since Paul Turner did so against Southern during the 2015 season.
Latulas' weekly honor marks the 16th time since 2023 a Bulldog has earned the recognition, and the ninth to receive the award for efforts on special teams. The last time a LA Tech punt returner was named Special Teams Player of the Week was Smoke Harris on October 2, 2023.
The Bulldogs saw nine total weekly awards in 2025, four of which were for special teams.
Latulas and the Bulldogs are back in action in Baton Rouge on Saturday, September 12 to take on No. 5 LSU at Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.
SUPPORT LA TECH ATHLETICS
Championships require championship resources. Fans can make a direct impact on the success of LA Tech Athletics through LTAC, Aillet Society, T-Club, and Young Alumni program as well as the CHAMP fund, a revenue-sharing initiative designed to directly support LA Tech Athletics through NIL and marketing opportunities for Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes. Visit BuildTheLegacy.com today.
BARK LOUDER
Our mission is to engage, develop, and advance the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand. You can do that by spending time consuming our content and by investing your talents. By barking louder with your time and talent, you can affect progress and brand advancement in a meaningful way. Visit LATechSports.com/BarkLouder today. You bark. We bark. Louder together.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Football, follow us on X (@LATechFB), Instagram (@LATechFB), and Facebook (LATechFootball).
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballSaturday, April 25
Saturday, April 25
Saturday, April 25
Tuesday, December 30
