NFL Draft: Louisiana Tech defensive backs Sneed, Robertson picked back-to-back in fourth round

RUSTON – Louisiana Tech’s L’Jarius Sneed heard his name called on Saturday as the Bulldog defensive back was taken with the 138th pick in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. On the very next pick, one of the most highly-decorated defensive backs in Louisiana Tech history will be taking his talents to Las Vegas.

Amik Robertson was selected with the 139th pick by the Raiders.

This marks the fifth straight year and the seventh time in the last eight years that a Bulldog has been selected.. It marks the first time LA Tech has had back-to-back players picked and the fifth time since 2013 that multiple Bulldogs have gone in the same draft.

During his four years in Ruston, Sneed totaled 179 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, eight interceptions and 28 pass break ups.

“Size. Speed. Work ethic. Versatility. He has played two years at corner for us and two years at safety,” said head coach Skip Holtz. “He has position flexibility. And when you look at NFL rosters and they only carry six defensive backs, that’s a huge plus. He can play anywhere on the back end.”

The Minden, Louisiana native, who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds at the NFL Combine, saw action in 51 games for the Bulldogs during his career, making 33 starts between safety and cornerback.

Sneed racked up 154 return yards on his eight interceptions, including three returns for touchdowns. He earned second team all-Conference USA honors as a senior after leading the Bulldogs with 72 tackles (42 solo) and adding three interceptions and nine pass break ups.

Robertson, who is foregoing his senior year at Louisiana Tech, started all four years at cornerback for the Bulldogs. In just three seasons, he totaled 183 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, four sacks, 48 pass break ups and 14 interceptions.

“Confidence. Competitiveness. Work ethic. Passion. Intensity. He has all the intangibles,” said head coach Skip Holtz. “He is a very talented player with great quickness. He has great ball skills. He was a turnover machine for us the last three years.”

Robertson racked up 265 yards of return yardage on his 14 interceptions, including three returns for touchdowns. He ranks No. 2 in Tech history in interceptions despite playing just three seasons.

The Thibodaux, La., native earned first team All-American honors as a junior by both the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and Pro Football Focus while earning second team honors by the Associated Press and The Athletic. He was named a Freshman All-American in 2017 by the FWAA.

Robertson was named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 while being named first team all-Conference USA and first team all-state as a sophomore and junior. He was named the Defensive Player of the Game in Tech’s win over SMU in the 2017 DXL Frisco Bowl.

He was Mr. Reliable for the Bulldogs all three years, racking up tackle totals of 62, 61 and 60 and tackle for loss totals of 7.5, 7.5 and 8.0. His yearly interceptions totals were 5, 4 and 5 while he saw his pass break ups increase annually from 11 as a freshman to 16 as a sophomore to 21 as a junior.

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