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If you're in the Lubbock area and looking to get into shape, but don't know where to start, check out the website for Cardinal's Fitness. You can sign up for individual classes -- no contract or membership required -- that are good for people at any fitness level.
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We reported earlier this week that Lubbock Cooper 2017 safety Ty Thomas plans to announce his decision in mid-January and is deciding between Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Here’s why those two programs are standing out to him.
“Both my uncle (Zach) and my dad (Bart) played at Tech so I’ve been a Tech fan since I was little,” Thomas said. “My sister went to Oklahoma State, so they have kind of become one of my favorites too.”
What will ultimately win this recruiting battle for the Red Raiders or Cowboys?
“There’s no telling as of right now,” Thomas said. “I’m just getting back into the off-season feel. I haven’t sat down with my family enough to talk about it.”
Our regional analyst, Jason Howell, is close with Thomas' father and tells us that Oklahoma State leads for Thomas. The thought is that Thomas wants to leave Lubbock, blaze his own trail and get out of town for college.
With that being said, Level is also connected with the Thomas family and heard Ty is now taking a closer look at both programs before making a decision.
So no real drama here, but it's promising that Thomas is taking his time and will make a decision sometime in January. This gives the Texas Tech coaches and some of the other 2017 commitments to bend his ear in the meantime.
-Wright
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Current Baylor commit Chris Miller from Frisco Lone Star committed to the Bears back in April. As signing day approaches, Miller is looking to maybe re-evaluate some things in regards to his commitment to the Bears.
“There are a few schools I am still looking at and my dad and I are going to sit down and go over the list and narrow some things down. Once we narrow the list, I’ll then schedule some official visits. Texas Tech is definitely a school that I’m considering.”
Miller made it clear that he wasn’t unhappy with Baylor, but he is looking to make sure he weighs all of his options before he makes his commitment final. Texas Tech isn’t a school that he picked out of the blue, either.
“I talk with Emmett Jones very frequently over twitter. He always tells me how good of a fit I would be in their defense. He says my skillset matches perfectly with what they are trying to accomplish on defense. I can come down and make the tackle, and I can cover any receiver. He sees me as a free safety type which is what I would play at Baylor as well.”
The 6-foot, 185-pound Miller fits the bill with what Tech is wanting out of their secondary players and the Red Raiders could be still in the market for a safety. If Miller visits, he would be a name to watch.
-Kohnle
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I recently caught up with Tech linebacker commit Johnathan Picone. The recent coaching changes definitely caught him by surprise, but he hasn’t wavered and will be signing his financial aid papers soon. Kevin Curtis recruited Louisiana, so I asked Picone about his friend and potential future teammate Kevin Moore’s status with Texas Tech as well.
“I got to visit with Kevin last weekend, and he is 100% solid as far as I know. He is really happy about coming out and is really embracing the role he is going to have in the defense. I know he is ready to put the pads on for the red and black and start knocking some heads. He lost his future position coach and primary recruiter, but I know he is extremely, extremely excited to be a Red Raider. He is taking that Oklahoma State visit, but at the same time he pretty much told me that he is 100% focused on Texas Tech.”
I talked with Kevin Moore earlier in the week as well and he also re-affirmed his commitment. It’s nice though to get a second opinion from someone he would be more inclined to divulge certain information with.
-Kohnle
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The news of running backs coach, Mike Jinks departure to Bowling Green came as a very big surprise to most Tech fans and recruits. Jinks played a big part in recruiting a lot of talent to Texas Tech and had his hand in landing a lot of kids from his old high school, Cibolo Steele. In fact, Tech currently has 3 commits from Steele. As reported earlier in the week, none of the commits seem to be wavering due to the departure.
All-purpose back Bryson Denley shared his thoughts on Jinks going to Bowling Green and how it has impacted his commitment to the Red Raiders.
“At first it was kind of surprising. I’m just happy for him and his family. I know he probably had dreams when he was younger of being able to coach at the highest level. I’m glad for him and I am glad for him and his family.”
“I’m still 100% committed to Texas Tech. It doesn’t matter if Coach Jinks is gone. I love Texas Tech and the coaching staff and what they are doing up there. I’m looking forward to changing the culture around there when I get to Lubbock.”
Denley doesn’t feel like the two other Steele commits are bothered by the coaching change either.
“I think they (Martin and Cox-Wesley) feel the same way. I think they just want to go and play football. We want to stick together and continue to play ball with each other like we have done all throughout high school.”
Denley was definitely a priority for the coaching staff to make sure he stuck with the Red Raiders and the three-star running back received calls from both Eric Morris and Kliff Kingsbury. He also received a call from former teammate at Steele, Justin Stockton.
“Coach Morris called me and I also talked to Coach Kingsbury. They were telling me not to worry about it and just stay focused on football and school and be happy for them. It was comforting to hear from both the offensive coordinator and the head coach.”
“Justin (Stockton) called me a few minutes ago, and I was talking to him. He just said we have to come together and do what Coach Jinks would want us to do even if he wasn’t here. Coach Jinks always taught us to take care of business in the classroom and be leaders on the field. He always told us to take pride in what we are doing and have a purpose. That is what we are focused on.”
-Kohnle
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So this happened last night....for those that don't do Twitter, this is a conversation between Texas Tech WR commits Derrick Willies and DeQuan Bowman.
