Teddy Veal named C-USA Co-Newcomer of the Year

IRVING, Texasn – Louisiana Tech standout receiver Teddy Veal has garnered one of Conference USA’s top honors after the redshirt junior was voted Co-Newcomer of the Year by the league’s 14 head coaches, it was announced on Wednesday.

With Veal being selected as one of the recipients of this year’s honor, it marks the third time in the last four years a Bulldog has won at least a share of Conference USA’s Newcomer of the Year award after Cody Sokol took home the honor in 2014 followed by Jeff Driskel in 2015. Veal shares this year’s Newcomer of the Year honor with North Texas wide receiver Jalen Guyton.

Veal transferred to Louisiana Tech in 2016 from Tulane, where he led the Green Wave in receiving in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. After sitting out the 2016 season for the Bulldogs due to the NCAA transfer rules, Veal quickly made a name for himself as Louisiana Tech’s top receiver in 2017.

In his first season with the Bulldogs, Veal played in every game for the Bulldogs this season as LA Tech’s top receiver in receptions (69), yards (832) and touchdowns (5). The Bridge City native ended the regular season ranked fourth in Conference USA and 30th in the nation with an average of 5.8 receptions per game. His 69 receptions on the season is 37 more than LA Tech’s second-leading receiver.

Over the course of the season, Veal has posted three 100-yard receiving games for the Bulldogs in his first season in action. His 832 receiving yards ranks fourth in C-USA and 51st in the nation, while he has been LA Tech’s leading receiver in half of the team’s games this season.

On special teams, was LA Tech’s lone punt returner in 2017, recording 14 punt returns for 94 yards and a touchdown (A 66-yard punt return for TD in the season opener versus Northwestern State).

Veal and the Bulldogs will head to Frisco, Texas, on Dec. 20 to take on SMU in the inaugural DXL Frisco Bowl at Toyota Stadium. The game is set for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff and will be broadcast live on ESPN.

Conference USA will conclude the 2017 season by sending a league-record nine teams to bowl games.

For complete coverage of Bulldog Football, please follow Louisiana Tech on social media at @LATechFB (Twitter), /LATechFootball (Facebook) and @LATechFB (Instagram) or visit the official home of Louisiana Tech Athletics at LATechSports.com.