Four LA Tech standouts named to East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List

RUSTON – Four Louisiana Tech football players have been named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 list, bowl officials announced Monday.

Quarterback Hank Bachmeier, wide receiver Smoke Harris, defensive lineman Deshon Hall and defensive back Willie Roberts were the Bulldog representatives on the initial list.

The Shrine Bowl 1000 is a comprehensive list of the top-1,000 all-star game eligible players at the FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA levels. Approximately 1,000 all-star game eligible players are drafted, signed after the draft, or attend a rookie mini-camp every year. The aim for the Shrine Bowl 1000 is to look into the scouting process and preview college players who are currently all-star game eligible for the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl and 2023 NFL Draft class.

Bachmeier comes to Tech from Boise State, where he was a Johnny Unitas Award watchlist selection a year ago. The Murrieta, Calif., native is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in FBS football, having started 29 games in his career. Bachmeier passed for over 6,600 yards and 41 touchdowns during his four seasons at Boise State. Bachmeier garnered Preseason All-Conference USA selections from Athlon Sports (Second Team) and Phil Steele (Third team).

Harris enters the 2023 season with one of the most accomplished careers among all FBS players. The senior is one of two returning FBS players with 500+ kickoff return yards and 200+ punt return yards in 2022. Harris enters the 2023 season among NCAA Active career leaders in receptions (3rd, 224), receptions per game (6th, 4.57), receiving touchdowns (6th, 19), punt return average (3rd, 11.2), punt return yards (4th, 605). The St. Francisville product has tallied a reception in 32 consecutive games, the seventh-longest active streak nationally.Harris has previously been named First-Team Preseason All-Conference USA by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele in 2023.

Hall, a 2023 Athlon Sports Preseason Second Team All-Conference USA selection, has appeared and started in 24 consecutive games on the LA Tech defensive line. The senior has tallied 101 total tackles (54 solo, 47 assisted), including 13.5 for loss and four sacks in addition to an interception and a forced fumble during his Bulldog career.

Roberts made an immediate impact during his first season in Ruston. The Stephen F. Austin transfer appeared in all 12 games in for the Bulldogs 2022 while making 11 starts at cornerback, tallying 29 total tackles (23 solo, 6 assists) and a quarterback hurry. The Fort Worth, Texas product led Tech with four interceptions and six pass breakups. Roberts was tabbed First-Team Preseason All-Conference USA by Athlon Sports.

Louisiana Tech will play a fast, exciting brand of football when Head Coach Sonny Cumbie’s Bulldogs open the 2023 season with an 8 p.m. CUSA showdown against FIU on August 26 inside Joe Aillet Stadium.

LA Tech has six home games at Joe Aillet Stadium during the 2023 season. After the week zero conference matchup with FIU (August 26), LA Tech will host non-conference foes Northwestern State (September 9) and North Texas (September 16). Tech closes out the home slate in conference play with Western Kentucky (October 5), New Mexico State (October 24), and a homecoming bout with Sam Houston (November 11).

Season tickets for the 2023 Louisiana Tech football season are on sale now. Fans can purchase season tickets online at LATechSports.com/tickets or by calling the LA Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631.

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