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2011 Class Primer
Texas Tech's 2011 recruiting class is expected to be much different than its
2010 haul because the numbers will tilt toward offense. As we know, things can
always change, but right now this is how the breakdown looks like on offense for
the Red Raiders' upcoming class.
(1) - The only 2011 prospect that we've confirmed has a Texas Tech
offer is Austin (Texas) Lake Travis'
Michael Brewer. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound prospect will be in Lubbock this
weekend for the program's first junior day.
Running Back (2) - There will be a lot of attention paid to the
West Texas duo of
Bradley Marquez (Odessa) and
Herschel Sims (Abilene) -- both plan to visit sometime over the next month
for a more one-on-one experience -- but the Red Raiders are actively pursuing
other options as well.
Wide Receiver (3) - With Lakeland (Fla.) wide receiver, and
Rivals100 candidate,
Javares McRoy (pictured) already committed to Texas Tech, the program's remaining need
at the position is for two outside receivers. You will notice that, with very
few exceptions, every wideout who has either been offered or is on the
radar is listed at 6-foot-2 or taller.
Tight End (1) - The Red Raiders are firmly in the mix for three
very talented options here. El Paso (Texas) Eldorado's
M.J. McFarland, the only tight end prospect to currently hold an offer, will
be attending Texas' junior day this weekend and may very well leave Austin
pledged to the Longhorns. San Antonio (Texas) MacArthur's
Jace Amaro and Klein (Texas) Oak's
Max Stevenson (visiting this weekend) are also in the mix and may be close
to offers.
Offensive Line (3) - Look for offensive line coach Matt Moore
to try and address the interior of the line in 2011, adding prospects that can
play either center and/or guard. Dallas (Texas) Highland Park's
Kyle Stouffer will be attending Texas Tech's junior day this weekend.
The total number for offense (10) appears set and any extra spots that open up
in the class will likely be allocated for defense. We expect defensive
coordinator James Willis to add anywhere from seven to nine prospects in 2011
with an emphasis placed on defensive tackle and linebacker.
Playing Catch Up
There is no other way to put it: Texas Tech has a lot of ground to
make up with Abilene (Texas) running back Herschel Sims. That has been the
assumption for a few months now but after speaking with the probable four-star
prospect this week, there may be a bigger gap than initially thought.
"They don't really run the ball a lot," Sims said. "I mean, I like Tech, but I'm
pretty sure there will be some other and better options later down the road."
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound prospect told RRS that he speaks with inside receivers
coach Sonny Cumbie "at least" once a week and indicated that it had been
stressed to him that the Red Raiders' running backs would be more involved this
season than in the past.
"I know they have a great offense and they have had a lot of success," Sims
said. "Coach (Cumbie) was saying they are going to run the ball more this year,
and we'll see how that goes."
Sims plans to attend Oklahoma State's junior day on Feb. 20, Texas' on Feb. 27
and then visit Texas Tech on March 6.
Same Story with Marquez?
No,
not quite. Odessa (Texas) running back Bradley Marquez, like Herschel Sims, has
expressed concerns regarding Texas Tech's running game, he seems to be more
receptive to the Red Raiders than his Abilene counterpart.
that was one thing that they addressed, that they were going to run the ball a
lot more. They think that they have one of the best running backs in the Big 12
that no one really knows about in Baron Batch.
"Sometimes coaches tell you what you want to hear, but it really is something
you can see on the field when they get the season kicked off and at their spring
game, to see if things are really going to change."
While it may be true that college coaches are sometimes guilty of telling
prospects what they want to hear, Marquez indicated that he has not gotten that
kind of vibe from the Red Raiders.
"I have visited with Coach Cumbie and Coach (Neal) Brown," he said. "I like them a lot
and I think it's going to be different over there. I feel like they have the
right plan in place to have a successful season this year and I'm just waiting
to see how that goes. But, as far as the coaching staff, I like them a lot."
Marquez is scheduled to attend Oklahoma's junior day on Feb. 20 and Texas' on
Feb. 27. He plans on unofficially visiting Texas Tech in March or April.
Brewer High on Oklahoma
With Texas reaffirming their greyshirt offer to Austin (Texas) Lake Travis
quarterback Michael Brewer this week, it seems unlikely that the Longhorns will
remain in the mix for the 6-foot-1, 175-pound signal caller. A program that
hasn't thrown their hat into the ring, but would become a heavy contender for
Brewer if it did, is on the other side of the Red River Rivalry: Oklahoma.
"I've been talking to Coach (Josh) Heupel from Oklahoma lately," Brewer said.
"They're very high on my list right now, I don't have an offer from them yet,
but hopefully that will come soon."
Brewer will be in Lubbock this weekend for Texas Tech's junior day.
TCU Pledge Contacts Tech
Pencil in DeSoto (Texas) wide receiver, and TCU commit,
Cameron White as a likely visitor for Texas Tech's Red & Black Game on April
17.
"I'm going to try to go to Texas Tech in April for their spring game," he said.
"I called them, they told me I should come up."
Not only did White call the Red Raiders to express his interest in the program,
he's also been doing a bit of research on the team.
"They sent me some letters and I got in touch with them," White said. "They told
me that they were interested so I've been looking at them, going through their
roster and stuff.
"I also looked at the quarterbacks that they're recruiting and I saw they got
the quarterback from Denton Ryan that's going there (Scotty
Young). I watched him, I looked at his highlights and I saw he was pretty
good."
White was originally planning on attending Texas Tech's junior day this weekend
but ran into an issue with his arranged ride.
Jones Postpones Visit
Christian Jones was originally thought to be attending Texas Tech's junior
day this weekend, but it seems as if his visit to the South Plains will be
postponed until March 27. The 6-foot-3, 196-pound prospect has recently picked
up offers from Kentucky and Northwestern and will be visiting SMU this weekend.
Jones was verbally offered recently, and has been in contact with outside
receivers coach Tommy Mainord.
"He gave me a lot of general information about Tech and their schemes and the
kind of stuff they were going to run," Jones said. "He also said he was excited
to be recruiting me and that has me excited and I'm looking forward to talking
more with him."
Though he has not given much thought to whether he wants to commit before,
during or after his senior season, Jones as a good idea of what he's looking for
in a future program.
"I'm looking for a school that is a good academic fit, one that has a successful
program as well as a good engineering program," he said. "I also want to go to a
place that has a family feel to it, where everyone treats each other real well."
Premium Q&A: Dinazzio Teague
We spoke with Tulsa (Okla.) East Central wide receiver
Dinazzio Teague -- Pearlie Graves' cousin -- earlier this week and got the
scoop on his recruitment.
On his recruitment:
DT: "Right now I'm receiving letters from OSU and
Northwestern, but I moved so much that I don't think they had the right address
and they sent it to my school, so my coaches hand them out to me when I go down
there. I've got a couple of tickets and stuff, I've been talking to OSU pretty
hard right now."
On Oklahoma State's junior day:
DT: "The junior day was supposed to happen but got
cancelled, so I think I'm going to have to go down there a different time. I
went to a couple of games and things like that. I got to talk to Coach (Gunter)
Brewer when he came to my school about two weeks ago. He told me everything was
looking alright for me right now, I just need to gain a little more weight.
"I knew weight would be a problem. I've always been a small kid, but I play like
a giant, I've got to tell you the truth. I'll run at somebody that's 250 pounds
against my 150, but I really don't care about it."
What Pearlie Graves has told him about Texas Tech:
DT: "He's liking it, we're from the same place. We grew up
in the same area, we've seen a lot of hardship around here, I'm not going to
lie. He told me good things, he said the fans treat you really good. Oklahoma
State sent me tickets for the OSU/Texas Tech game so I was happy about that, I
got to see him there. He didn't get in, but I got to talk to him.
"He was just saying that it was fun, that this college stuff was about
dedication, you've got to be dedicated. He tries to keep my head on the right
page, and tells me to get in the weight room."
On their relationship:
DT: "It's very valuable. Days when I'm down I can call
him. He's like another big brother instead of a cousin. I'm going to just
support them to the fullest next year."
Other programs involved:
DT: "Northwestern sends me stuff, but I think OSU would be
at the top right now, honestly. I communicate with them the most. Northwestern
wanted me to come watch a practice before the Outback Bowl, but I couldn't make
it there in time since I'm in Tulsa and they're in Chicago."
On if he is ready for this stage of the recruiting process:
DT: "Yes, absolutely. I love football, I've been playing
since the third grade. I like it, I love it, my head is in the right place. I'm
doing everything I can do to get signed. I just love football so much, I have a
passion for the game."
Quick Hits
We spoke with Muleshoe (Texas) head coach David Wood earlier this week about
star defensive end
Cooper Washington. With the 6-foot-4, 225-pound standout in the middle of
basketball season, Coach Wood wasn't sure if he would be attending any junior
days over the coming weeks, but he did confirm that Washington has recently
added offers from Baylor and Oklahoma to go along with previously reported
offers from Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.
* Another name to watch out for at running back is Pflugerville (Texas)
Hendrickson's
Kenny Williams. The 5-foot-10, 206-pound prospect recently picked up his
first offer (SMU) and Georgia Tech and Texas Tech appear to be close to pulling
the trigger as well. Williams has not been shy about listing the Red Raiders as
his favorite, doing so as early as last year, during check-in for the 2009 U.S.
Army Combine in San Antonio. His father attended Texas Tech.
* Pencil in Klein (Texas) Collins defensive back
Charles Jackson and Boyd (Texas) linebacker
Colton Lyon for the Red Raiders' March 27 junior day.
* Athens (Texas) wide receiver
Courtney Whitehead (pictured) plans to visit Texas Tech on March 6. The
6-foot-2, 181-pound East Texas prospect turned heads at last year's Southwest
Ultimate 100 camp, earning Hot 11 honors despite performing through an injury.
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This post was edited on 2/15 8:43 AM by A. Dickens
