Sean Isabella

sisabella@thenewsstar.com

Louisiana Tech starting quarterback Ryan Higgins was arrested early Friday in Ruston, according to the Lincoln Parish Sheriff's Office.

Higgins, a senior, was charged with DWI and speeding (11 to 20 miles per hour over) just a few days before Tech starts fall camp. Ruston Police Department arrested Higgins at 3:19 a.m. on West Alabama Avenue near campus. He was booked at 5:08 a.m. and was released Friday afternoon on $1,750 bond ($1,500 for DWI, $250 for speeding).

Higgins was stopped for speeding at the intersection of West Alabama Avenue and Western street, about a half a mile from Tech's football stadium, traveling 47 miles per hour in a 35 miles per hour zone, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The officer had reason to believe Higgins was intoxicated, according to the report, and Higgins performed poorly on a standardized field sobriety test and had a blood alcohol content of .119.

As of 12:45 p.m., records indicated Higgins was still at Lincoln Parish Detention Center.

“We are aware of the situation involving Ryan Higgins. We won’t make any decisions or any further comments until we have had an opportunity to gather all of the information and talk to all of the parties involved," Tech coach Skip Holtz said in a statement.

Sgt. Clint Williams, a spokesperson for Ruston PD, said he didn't know if Higgins was driving alone or accompanied by a passenger. Williams said Higgins' BAC was recorded after he was transported to the detention center and before he was booked, but it's unclear what time Higgins' submitted the breath sample.

Higgins, 22, was expected to replace Jeff Driskel as the Bulldogs' starter for 2016. Higgins started six games as a redshirt freshman in 2013, throwing for 1,715 yards with six touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Holtz has precedent in Higgins case dating back to ECU

Higgins has patiently waited for his turn to start again after Tech brought in graduate transfers each of the past two seasons. He served as the backup in 2014 and 2015, attempting 35 passes in 12 games.

"I don't know that he was ready for the blessing he received in 2013 to college football. I don't know he was ready for it mentally," Holtz said last week at Conference USA Media Days. "I think he's worked extremely hard and I think he's earned this football team's respect in the way he's been patient and waited his turn."

Tech reports to fall camp Sunday and practices Monday for the first time. Tech opens the season Sept. 3 at Arkansas.

It's unclear what punishment Higgins will face. Redshirt sophomore Price Wilson finished spring practice as the No. 2 quarterback, although Holtz said Thursday one of the camp battles is determining who Higgins' backup is.

"This will be a new team with new leaders. Obviously, the quarterback position, not just Ryan's growth and development as a leader and as a starter, but who's going to be his backup?" Holtz said Thursday.

Wilson has played in one career game, which came in 2015 when he went 1-for-3 against Southern. The remaining quarterbacks on the roster for the fall — redshirt freshman J'Mar Smith and true freshmen Jack Abraham and Jon Randall Belton — have yet to see the field.

Higgins capped off a strong spring in April by throwing for 469 yards and five touchdowns in Tech's spring game.

Holtz told The News-Star in July that he received several calls from graduate transfer quarterbacks interested in playing for the Bulldogs. However, Holtz told them he wasn't in the market for another quarterback.

For the most part, Tech has stayed out of the news with criminal matters under Holtz. Earlier this year, signee David Beasley was arrested on charges of first-degree battery and aggravated robbery, although he wasn't a member of the roster when the incident happened.

Holtz hasn't shied away from discipline in other areas, like when he suspended receivers Carlos Henderson and Eddie Johnson for two games in 2014 due to a violation of team rules. He also indefinitely suspended defensive tackle Malcolm Pichon from the team in 2014, dismissed running back Tevin King in 2015 for academic issues and suspended three players, including King, last spring due to a violation of team rules.