Louisiana Tech faces Coastal Carolina in the 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl today at 1 p.m. at Independence Stadium in Shreveport. The game can be seen on ESPN.

By Kyle Roberts

SHREVEPORT, La. — It’s no secret Louisiana Tech loves the Ruston High pipeline two streets down from Joe Aillet Stadium.

That love is showing dividends for the Bulldogs, particularly in the linebacking corps as freshmen Zheric Hill, Zander Hayes and Jadon Mayfield are all gearing up for the 2025 Independence Bowl — the second appearance in two years.

And in a world where the transfer portal has ravaged rosters ahead of the postseason, it seemed to pass right over all the former Bearcats on Tech’s roster.

“(Playing in the postseason) is the reason we came here,” Hill said. “And we want to create a winning tradition here, just like we did at Ruston High.”

These guys understand winning — in a state where football reigns supreme at all age levels, they played as Bearcats at the highest stage imaginable more than once and even won it all in 2023. Now, since they’ve been on Tech’s roster, the Bulldogs have played in two consecutive bowl games and finished with the first winning season in half a decade this year at 7-5.

Coincidence? Bearcat Head Coach Jerrod Baugh thinks not, particularly since both Hill and Mayfield have seen more action on the turf this year (Hayes played in four games to protect his redshirt; he will be eligible for the bowl game).

“I’m not saying that those guys are the only catalyst behind it, but it’s no coincidence that they’ve qualified for a bowl and winning season the more those guys have had the chance to play,” Baugh said. “And it’s not just their play and ability — I think that their their attitudes and what they bring to the table leadership-wise is infectious. I felt like it was only a matter of time before they were able to affect that program in the way that they affected ours. And it’s really neat to be taking place right next door so you get a chance to see them fairly regularly. I think that’s pretty special.”

The 2023 5A Defensive Player of the Year, Mayfield just wrapped up his second season as a Bulldog and earned a spot on Conference USA’s all-freshmen team after playing in all 12 games and making six starts. He finished third on the team with 57 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Hill played in 10 games and registered 31 tackles as a true freshman this past season. And as the transfer portal claimed some Bulldog defenders this year, Hayes is expected to see some time on the field today at Independence Stadium.

The mission today is clear: beat Coastal Carolina, obviously. But into the future, the guys have something else in mind: build a brotherhood together just like they remembered at Ruston High. And not just with Ruston graduates but with all the new Bulldogs that enter the program.

“That’s been built in us,” Mayfield said, crediting both Baugh and former Ruston High Defensive Coordinator Kyle Williams. “(Coach Williams) told us to keep that mindset in us as we go into college. We worked hard in high school, and now we want to bring that here.

”For us, too, we get to see our families and friends at the games. And we’re about to have a lot of those people come to Shreveport to watch.”

Mayfield didn’t shy away, either, from one of his biggest goals: getting to the NFL. He believes he can do that right here at Louisiana Tech and not worry about the distractions that are common in this age of college football.

”I think that they have they understand they have an opportunity to write a legacy here,” Louisiana Tech Head Coach Sonny Cumbie said. “They understand that they can play, be highly productive and win a lot of football games and win championships here at Louisiana Tech. 
And so I think that’s really important to them, and obviously it’s important to us. So to be able to keep those types of players here is critical. “

Hill believes one of the biggest building blocks available to his success is going to be the stability that comes with staying at Louisiana Tech — and he expects the same from some of his former Bearcats, as well.

“I’m a believer in just staying somewhere and improving as a player and as a person because you won’t want to just bounce here and there,” Hill said. “It’s just not going anything good for you. So especially when you have your teammates from high school; that’s what we’re trying to do: go back to the old school football when you had brotherhood and all that.

“We can’t build a brotherhood if everybody’s leaving.”

And while he didn’t single any players out by name, Mayfield sent out the clarion call for any former Bearcats listening in the portal: the winning culture is being built in Ruston, and all are welcome that want to join in on the work and the winning.

”If you’re watching, we’re winning over here,” Mayfield said in conclusion. “Come back and enjoy the time again with your family and friends watching. We’re ready to work.”

Kickoff is today against Coastal Carolina at 1 p.m. in the 2025 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. 

---