Top 5 Louisiana Tech players who entered the transfer portal ahead of Independence Bowl

Louisiana Tech's odd season moves into the transfer portal. The Bulldogs finished with a 5-8 record and were the only team to reach a bowl game without six wins after Marshall had to pull out of the Independence Bowl. The game was a 27-6 thumping by Army. Several Louisiana Tech players are moving on in the portal. Here's a rundown of the top five.

Top 5 Louisiana Tech players in portal ahead of bowl

Tech defensive lineman David Blay, making a tackle here, is headed for Miami via the transfer portal. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

5. Jack Turner, QB

Turner is an experienced backup quarterback with a year of eligibility left. In three seasons at Tech, he threw 253 passes in 18 games. He passed for 1,664 yards with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions. Turner is unlikely to grab a starting job in his final college year, but for a team that could use an experienced veteran as a backup, he could be an excellent fit.

4. Cedric Woods, CB

Woods played in 47 games over five seasons at Tech. He redshirted in 2022 after playing just four games, and his freshman year was in 2020, which is now a free extra year, so the wily veteran defender has one season of eligibility left. At Tech, he had 111 tackles and broke up 18 passes, including four interceptions, with one going for a pick-six.

Woods's one-year status could hurt, but he is a quality veteran pickup for any team that's thin in the defensive backfield.

3. Buck Buchanan, K

Buchanan is a talented kicker who has struggled at times with consistency. His rocket leg can handle kickoffs or placekicking. While he's 20 of 31 on field goals at Tech, he also made multiple 50-yard blasts, including a 57-yard kick in 2024. Consistency is a concern, but at the least, he'd be a worthy long field goal specialist/kickoff man for a power conference team.

2. Tru Edwards, WR

A transfer from Hawaii after the 2021 season, Edwards has seen steady career growth that turned into a 2024 explosion. He had 84 catches for 986 yards and six TDs. At 6-foot-3, his size and skills will translate well to his next school. Edwards has one season of eligibility left but could be a significant threat even at a Power Four school in 2025.

1. David Blay, DL

Blay rose to prominence during his time at Tech. In 2024, he had 46 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Blay is a 6-foot-4, 300+ pound lane clogger who will fit well in his next college home, Miami. He'll have just a single season of eligibility with the Hurricanes, but Blay played 2024 like a guy on a serious upswing.

What do you think of the Bulldogs' portal losses? Share your takes below in our comments section!