It seems like just a few years ago Louisiana Tech's kicking situation was less than ideal.

What used to be a major question mark on special teams as recently as 2014 is now a position of strength. In fact, Tech now holds the title as having the best kicker in the league as voted on by the league's 13 coaches.

Tech kicker Jonathan Barnes was selected Wednesday as the preseason pick to win the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Year award. The Groza Award watch list selection was one of seven Bulldogs to earn preseason all-conference honors, which served as the most in C-USA.

Barnes shared the honor with Florida Atlantic punter Dalton Schomp.

Joining Barnes on the preseason list:

• Trent Taylor, wide receiver
• Darrell Brown, offensive line
• David Mahaffey, offensive line
• Jaylon Ferguson, defensive end
• Xavier Woods, safety
• Darrell Travis, long snapper

2016 Louisiana Tech watch list award tracker

While mostly inexperienced and young, the all-conference selections are a reminder Tech has enough talent to stay atop the C-USA West Division race despite losing three NFL Draft picks from 2015.

Barnes, a junior, had a breakout year in 2015 as he connected on 22-for-26 field goals with a perfect 60-for-60 on PAT tries. Barnes hit 6-of-8 attempts from 40-plus years, including a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond 50 yards. The success came after Barnes and Kyle Fischer combined to miss 10 field goals in 2014.

Prior to 2015, the kicking job was up for grabs until Barnes ran away with it. He beat out Fischer for the job. Fischer went 18-for-23 in 2013 before putting up a 5-for-10 line in 2014 in addition to Barnes' 12-for-17 mark and three missed extra points.

Meanwhile, Taylor emerged as one of the top receivers in C-USA last year with 99 catches for 1,282 yards and nine touchdowns. He'll take over as Tech's top playmaker with running back Kenneth Dixon now in the NFL.

Brown and Mahaffey, both seniors, make up an experienced offensive line that should be Skip Holtz's best unit since he arrived in Ruston.

Woods is the leader of Tech's defense after eight starters moved on from the 2015 team. The West Monroe native finished with 56 tackles, 7 ½ tackles for loss and three interceptions. He also had three pass break-ups and forced two fumbles.

Ferguson started 2015 as a reserve before establishing himself as one of the premier pass rushers in the league. He racked up six sacks, 15 tackles for loss and eight quarterback hurries.

Southern Miss quarterback Nick Mullens was selected as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Mullens tore up the country with 4,476 yards and 38 touchdowns to earn C-USA Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2015. Southern Miss and Florida Atlantic each had six representatives on the all-conference list.

2016 CONFERENCE USA FOOTBALL COACHES PRESEASON AWARDS

Offensive Player of the Year

Nick Mullens, Sr., QB, Southern Miss

Defensive Player of the Year

Trey Hendrickson, Sr., DE, Florida Atlantic

Special Teams Players of the Year

Jonathan Barnes, Jr., K, Louisiana Tech
Dalton Schomp, Sr., P, Florida Atlantic

OFFENSE

QB — Brent Stockstill, So., Middle Tennessee
QB — Nick Mullens, Sr., Southern Miss
RB — Kalif Phillips, Sr., Charlotte
RB — Ray Lawry, Jr., Old Dominion
RB — Ito Smith, Jr., Southern Miss
RB — Aaron Jones, Sr., UTEP
RB — Jarveon Williams, Sr., UTSA
RB — Anthony Wales, Sr., WKU
OL — Michael Montero, Sr., FIU
OL — Reggie Bain, Jr., Florida Atlantic
OL —Darrell Brown, Sr., Louisiana Tech
OL — David Mahaffey, Sr., Louisiana Tech
OL — Michael Selby, Sr., Marshall
OL — Clint Van Horn, Sr., Marshall
OL — Maurquice Shakir, Sr., Middle Tennessee
OL — Cameron Tom, Sr., Southern Miss
OL — Forrest Lamp, Sr., WKU
OL — Will Hernandez, Jr., UTEP
TE — Jonnu Smith, Sr., FIU
TE — Ryan Yurachek, Jr., Marshall
WR — Trent Taylor, Sr., Louisiana Tech
WR — Richie James, So., Middle Tennessee
WR — Zach Pascal, Sr., Old Dominion
WR — Taywan Taylor, Sr., WKU

DEFENSE

DL — Larry Ogunjobi, Sr., Charlotte
DL — Trey Hendrickson, Sr., Florida Atlantic
DL — Jaylon Ferguson, So., Louisiana Tech
DL — Gary Thompson, Sr., Marshall
DL — Rashaad Coward, Sr., Old Dominion
DL — Dylan Bradley, Sr., Southern Miss
DL — Nick Usher, Sr., UTEP
DL — Marcus Davenport, Jr., UTSA
LB — Anthony Wint, Jr., FIU
LB — Azeez Al-Shaair, So., Florida Atlantic
LB —  TJ Ricks, Sr., Old Dominion
LB — Alex Lyons, Sr., Rice
LB — D’Nerius Antoine, Sr., Southern Miss
LB — Alvin Jones, Jr., UTEP
DB — Ocie Rose, So., Florida Atlantic
DB — Jalen Young, So., Florida Atlantic
DB — Xavier Woods, Sr., Louisiana Tech
DB — Jeremy Cutrer, Sr., Middle Tennessee
DB — Kishawn McClain, Jr., North Texas
DB — Justice Davila, Jr., Old Dominion
DB — Picasso Nelson Jr., Jr., Southern Miss
DB — Michael Egwuagu, Sr., UTSA

SPECIAL TEAMS

K — Jonathan Barnes, Jr., Louisiana Tech
P — Dalton Schomp, Sr., Florida Atlantic
KR — Kylen Towner, Jr., WKU
PR — Warren Redix, So., UTEP
LS — Darrell Travis, Sr., Louisiana Tech