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FIve Louisiana Tech Freshmen Who Could Play in 2014

Louisiana Tech needs help on offense and could turn to a few freshmen to add speed and athleticism to the attack.

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Bulldogs Head Coach Skip Holtz went out and recruited several players that could get his offense off the ground in 2014. A few of those players could help right away.

Wide Recievers

Carlos Henderson

The 5-11, 185 pound New Orleans native scored 28 touchdowns his senior year at McDonough 35 and put together over 1,600 yards of total offense. After redshirting last season, Henderson is ready to make his mark on the field. Henderson's speed has shown up in fall camp already, and he figures to be a deep threat that the Bulldogs lacked last season.

Kameron McKnight

Like Henderson, McKnight was highly recruited out of high school. Kam McKnight is 6-2 and 217 pounds, so he brings physicality to the wide receiver position. The Bulldogs need a player that can get the ball and get a first down when things aren't going the team's way. He hasn't had the benefit of a redshirt season like Henderson, but if McKnight can make the adjustment to college football quickly, his team could sure use him.

Running Backs

Jared Craft

Tech has not had a lot of depth behind Kenneth Dixon at running back the last two years. That is not the case anymore with the addition of these next two players. Craft has impressed Coach Holtz in camp and could play early at both running back and in the slot. The 6-0, 215-pound Haughton, LA native rushed for over 2,000 yards his senior year.

Tywun Walters

Walters was a late addition to the LA Tech signing class, but he may end up being one of the best players. The 5-11, 218 pound Mississippi native had over 1,600 yards rushing as a senior. Like Craft, Walters has a similar build to Kenneth Dixon. The two young guys will push veterans Marlon Seets and Blake Martin for playing time behind Dixon. If Craft sees any time in the slot, it could mean more carries for Walters. However you look at it, Coach Holtz has options in the backfield and that was not the case a year ago.

Defense

Hakim Gray, DE

There are only a few players on defense that could play as freshmen. The most likely is redshirt freshman Hakim Gray. The 6-3, 269 pound defensive end spent last season getting stronger and should be ready to help somewhere on the defensive line. The defensive end position is thin behind starters Houston Bates and Vontarrius Dora. If Gray can prove quick enough to help on the end, then he will get a good amount of playing time. If not, he may get lost in the rotation at defensive tackle. His "tweener" size might help him see the field as an end in a 3-4 front if defensive coordinator Manny Diaz employs the three man front in certain situations.