The ground rules
for the Red Raider Confidential are simple: please do not post or summarize the information contained in this
report elsewhere. We, along with the paying subscribers here, would appreciate
it. Now onto the scoop...
Raiders Are Team To Beat For Nealy
Tech is the team to beat for Monticello (Fla.) Jefferson running back
DeVondrick
Nealy.
"Texas Tech and Ole Miss are the two that have been on me, and they're my top
two," he said. "Tech is still the team to beat at the moment."
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound prospect speaks frequently with running backs coach
Chad Scott but has also spoken with offensive coordinator Neal Brown as well.
"He's (Scott) really the main guy I kind of keep in touch with there. He's a
cool guy and we've gotten pretty close," he said.
Nealy has yet to visit the Red Raiders, but he is clearly intrigued by the
possibility of making an immediate impact on the South Plains.
"I really am just still hearing that I'll have an opportunity to come in and
work hard for a chance to make an immediate impact, which is something I
definitely like to hear," he said. "They like my abilities on tape and are just
wanting me to keep doing what I've been doing. They feel like there would be big
things in store for me at Texas Tech."
Due to a tight schedule that includes baseball and track, ealy does not plan to
visit any programs in the near future.
"I'm just working out, getting ready for spring ball, running track, playing a
little baseball and just looking forward to May 1," he said. "I don't have
anything in mind right now as far as a schedule for a decision goes. I've got a
lot going on at the moment and I'm really just wanting to get through those
things before I start thinking about making a decision."
Nealy also holds offers from Duke, Iowa State, Memphis, Michigan, Minnesota,
North Carolina, South Florida, Southern Miss, Stanford and Tennessee.
2011 Commits Busy Networking
Even though most of them have only known of each other for a few short months,
Texas Tech's 2011 recruiting class is becoming quite tight knit. Austin (Texas)
Lake Travis quarterback
Michael Brewer really helped jump-start this process
once he committed by getting in touch with Red Raider targets on his own,
talking to them about the program and trying to bring them on board. Facebook
has also played a part in this as well, as it provides an easy way for the
prospects to find each other and communicate.
At last week's NIKE Camp in Fort Worth, several of Texas Tech's commits got a
chance to catch up with each other in person: Brewer, Killeen (Texas) Ellison
linebacker
Devon Hocutt, Arlington (Texas) Sam Houston offensive lineman
Tony
Morales and Pflugerville (Texas) Hendrickson running back
Kenny Williams.
"It's great to start off networking this early with those guys. We've got a
whole year before we'll actually get to be playing with each other and getting
an early start on building those personal relationships is something that not a
lot of people have the opportunity to do. There's not doubt that it will make us
a better team down the road."
SMU Commit Visiting
Brenham (Texas) defensive back, and SMU commit,
Rodney Hubert will be visiting Texas
Tech this weekend.
"It's been in the works for about two weeks now," he said. "Derek (Edwards) told
me about it. Later on that day, I had to call the coaches, I was talking to
Coach (Tommy) Mainord and he said that he wanted me to come down there."
Edwards, a Texas Tech commit, has been talking up the Red Raiders to Hubert.
"He said it has a great atmosphere, the coaches make you feel like you're at
home and it's a good place to play," said Hubert. "He wanted me to come down
there with him.
"Everywhere he goes, he's hollerin' 'Guns Up!' He wants me to go there so we can
go to school together."
The 5-foot-11, 165-pound prospect does not yet hold an offer from Texas Tech,
but he thinks that might change this weekend.
"They told me that they were very close to offering me," Hubert said. "I'm
thinking that when I go down there, they might offer me."
Chappell Visiting This Weekend
Canadian (Texas) offensive lineman
Taylor Chappell will be in town for Texas
Tech's Red & Black Game as well. The 6-foot-6, 270-pound prospect is looking
forward to checking out some of the improvements the Red Raiders have made to
their facilities.
"They've done some new improvements to the football facilities and stadium so I
want to see that," he said. "I haven't been able to meet the new coaching staff
and this will be the first time to see them in person. I have talked to them on
the phone."
Chappell is being recruited by inside receivers coach Sonny Cumbie.
"He's a good guy," he said. "He knows what's going on. Coach (Matt) Moore was
there the last time I visited. He knows his football and knows all about the
spread offense."
Much like Texas Tech commit Tony Morales, the offense that Chappell runs at
Canadian is very similar to what the Red Raiders run.
"They run the same offense as my high school," Chappell said. "They've been one
of the best in the country the last few years. The new offensive coordinator,
Coach (Neal) Brown, came from Troy and we run the Tony Franklin system just like
he did at Troy. I also like that it is close to home."
Chappell also holds offers from Arizona, Houston, Kansas, Missouri, Rice and
Wake Forest.
Visitors In Town For Red & Black Game
The weather may not cooperate, but Texas Tech will be hosting a number of
unofficial visitors this weekend.
Canadian (Texas) offensive lineman
Taylor Chappell
Brenham (Texas) wide receiver
Derek Edwards (Texas Tech commit)
Brenham (Texas) cornerback
Rodney Hubert (SMU commit)
Brenham (Texas) offensive lineman
John Poehlmann
Abilene (Texas) running back
Herschel Sims
DeSoto (Texas) wide receiver
Cameron White (TCU commit)
To view previous installments of the Red Raider Confidential, you can visit the
archives by clicking here.
Thank you for subscribing to RedRaiderSports.com!
This post was edited on 4/22 11:25 PM by A. Dickens
