Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech defensive lineman Rason Williams II has signed a free-agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
Williams II, a 6-4, 280-pound defensive lineman, started all 12 games for the Bulldogs in 2023. The Houston, Texas, product recorded 25 tackles, including five for loss and 2.5 sacks. He posted a season-high four tackles against North Texas (Sept. 16) and recorded sacks against Northwestern State (Sept. 9), Middle Tennessee (Oct. 10) and Sam Houston (Nov. 11).
Prior to his time at LA Tech, Williams II spent 2019-2022 at Stephen F. Austin, where he appeared in 36 games, registering 27 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss.
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Louisiana Tech defensive back Willie Roberts has received a minicamp invitation from the Seattle Seahawks.
Roberts, a 5-11, 190-pound defensive back, started all 12 games for Louisiana Tech in 2023. The 2023 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist led Conference USA and ranked ninth nationally with 12 pass breakups during the 2023 regular season while tallying 38 total tackles (28 solo, 10 assisted in addition to a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Opponents completed just 34.8 percent of passes against him (16-48) according to PFF (Pro Football Focus). As a result of his efforts he was named First-Team All-Conference USA.
The Fort Worth Texas product was just the third LA Tech defensive back in program history to become a national semifinalist for the coveted Jim Thorpe Award, joining Amik Robertson (2019) and Xavier Woods (2016).
In 2022, Roberts saw action in all 12 games while making 11 starts at cornerback. He posted 29 total tackles and led Tech with four interceptions to go along with six pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.
Before his time at LA Tech, Roberts spent 2019-2021 at Stephen F. Austin, where he appeared in 34 games, registering 85 total tackles, including three for loss and an assisted sack. He also collected six interceptions and 21 pass breakups. He earned third-team All-WAC honors in 2019.
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Louisiana Tech defensive back Myles Heard has received a minicamp invitation from the New York Giants.
Heard, a 5-11, 201-pound defensive back, started 11 games for Louisiana Tech in 2023. He was the Bulldogs’ second-leading tackler with 88 stops and ranked sixth among all Conference USA players with 8.0 tackles per game despite playing just three snaps at Middle Tennessee due to injury. Heard finished the season with four pass breakups and a 74.5 passing coverage grade, according to PFF (Pro Football Focus), while not allowing a receiving touchdown.
The Houston, Texas native led LA Tech in tackles and posted double-digit tackles in four games during the 2023 campaign. He recorded three pass breakups and a game-high 10 tackles during a 24-10 win at UTEP (Sept. 29). Heard also posted a season-high 15 tackles in a 51-21 win over Northwestern State (Sept. 9).
Before his time at LA Tech, Heard spent the 2019-2022 seasons at Stephen F. Austin, where he appeared in 44 games, registering 211 tackles, including seven tackles for loss in addition to eight pass breakups and three interceptions. While at SFA, he earned First-Team Western Athletic Conference (WAC) honors in 2021 and 2022.
