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Hocutt In The Backfield?
committing to Texas Tech in early March, Killeen (Texas) Ellison linebacker Devon Hocutt
has been focused on spring football and his future as a Red Raider. Earlier this
week, Hocutt spoke with outside receivers coach Tommy Mainord earlier this week
about his future and what he must do to prepare himself for college life.
"Mostly about keeping on improving myself just to make myself a better person,"
Hocutt said, "and most of the things I'm doing right now are preparing me for my
senior year and also for my next four or five years at Texas Tech. Rather than
just looking at it from my senior year of high school point of view, I'm looking
at it as a part of Texas Tech, also."
The 5-foot-11, 258-pound prospect has been busy with spring football. He said
his senior season will have him playing exclusively on offense -- at running
back.
"This spring has been mostly lifting weights and getting our new offensive
linemen back into the rhythm of blocking for us," Hocutt said. "This season I
will not be playing any defense, I will be playing straight offense, running
back. I will be straight offense, I haven't touched defense not once during our
spring training."
Hocutt said the offensive side of the ball will not be a big change for him. He
said he has always been an offensive player growing up and he embraces the idea
of playing running back.
"I'm used to not playing defense," Hocutt said. "My first time playing defense
was my freshman year on varsity playing linebacker. I did play running back from
little league on up until I got to Ellison High School, so I'm used to playing
running back."
Besides the position switch, Hocutt said things have been fairly easy. He said
recruiting is still a daily constant, but he is not too worried about it.
"I haven't told nobody anything," Hocutt said. "Really haven't said much to them
(coaches from other programs), I just shake their hand and introduce myself and
we will have a conversation about that school in particular, but other than
that, nothing else."
Edwards May Take Visits
Brenham (Texas) wide receiver
Derek Edwards reaffirmed his commitment to Texas Tech earlier this week
after reflecting on recent offers from Texas A&M and other programs. That being
said, the talented prospect still plans on taking his official visits.
"I'm probably going to take my visits I have available and try to see some
things I haven't seen before," he said. "But I'm all Texas Tech at this point.
That's where my heart is and that's where I think it's going to end up. I am
going to take all five visits and see where that takes me, but I doubt it's
going to push me in any other direction. I still believe I'm going to be at
Texas Tech."
May not sound great, but Edwards is in near-daily contact with other members of
the Red Raiders' 2011 recruiting class and seems pretty connected to them.
More On White
By now you have probably read the update that we posted on
Cameron White, where
the DeSoto (Texas) standout says that his "recruiting situation" is "open"
despite his commitment to TCU. He also named a "final top three" of Oklahoma
State, TCU and Texas Tech.
The bottom line is that there are very few people in recruiting circles, including those that
regularly cover the Horned Frogs, that expect White to sign with TCU next February.
At this point, the Cowboys and Red Raiders seem like the favorites but White
will likely add more offers in the coming weeks.
White hopes to visit the South Plains sometime this summer but did not give a
firm date. Our thinking is that Texas Tech may try to get him in town in early
June so he can watch one of the team's camps and interact with some of the
commits that are in town.
Clark Changes Timetable
Rockdale (Texas) has seen a lot of foot traffic over the last few weeks, as
coaches have been filing through to see offensive lineman
Le'Raven Clark..
had a few come by," Clark said, "like Tech, Baylor, Nebraska came a little while
ago, Missouri's been by, TCU came, SMU, I think Louisiana Tech and North Texas
came by today."
The 6-foot-6, 245-pound prospect has a long offer list with Big 12 schools like
Baylor, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech all throwing their hat
in the ring. With all of this interest, Clark is leaning toward changing his
timetable.
"I don't know," Clark said regarding a timetable for his decision. "I was
thinking like sometime in the summer, but now it's more like maybe not and I
don't know."
Clark does plan on narrowing his list down sometime this summer.
"I am going to visit a few schools this summer," Clark said. "I'm planning on
visiting SMU and then a few others."
On that list of other schools he wants to look at is Texas Tech. Clark said he
is looking more into Tech's program and he's building a good relationship with
his recruiting coach, Tommy Mainord.
"They are all good guys," Clark said, "Coach Mainord is pretty funny, seems like
a good guy.
"I think it's (Tech) nice. I want to take a look at everything; I want to come
visit."
Quick Hits
* Texas Tech has extended an offer to Longview (Texas) wide receiver
LaDarrin Robertson. We'll have an update posted on him as soon as we are
able to speak with him.
* DeSoto (Texas) wide receiver
Cameron White added an offer from Arizona
yesterday.
* Spring (Texas) Klein Collins cornerback
Charles Jackson lists a top four of Cal, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas Tech.
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This post was edited on 5/25 2:31 PM by A. Dickens
