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Tech, Nwafor Moving On
It seems as if Texas Tech and Irving (Texas) Cistercian Prep defensive tackle
Ikenna Nwafor are moving on from each other following Nwafor's
appearance at the Red Raiders' Coppell camp last Saturday. Nwafor went into the
camp expecting to receive an offer, and was a bit surprised when one was not
extended.
As we reported on Saturday, Nwafor seemed to be out of shape and struggled in
drills -- not at all surprising that Tech opted not to offer.
With no offer, Nwafor is no longer considering the Red Raiders.
"Their stock kind of dropped in my eyes," Nwafor said. "After I listened to the
coaches and what they had to say about the university, it sounds like a nice
place but I just don't think it would suit me and what I want to do."
- Dickens, McKay
?
Smith Enjoyed Tech Visit
Waco (Texas) Reicher tight end Jordan Smith was in Lubbock on
Thursday for Tech's mini-camp. The 2012 prospect left with a good feeling about
the Red Raiders.
"It changed my perception just because I didn't really know what to expect
coming to Lubbock, but I definitely liked what I saw when I got up there," Smith
said. "It was a really nice place to be. I liked all of the coaches and they
definitely offered some help if you needed it.
"My dad and I hung out with Coach Cumbie, and they basically do a lot of stuff
that we do at Reicher. I liked Coach Cumbie's style and some of the things he
pointed out. It was all a big positive."
The 6-foot-6, 220-pounder also got in on an abbreviated tour during his
short-stay.
"We showed up early and took a tour of the facilities, and around the football
complex. I just kind of got a feel of what it would be like around there," he
said. "Some of the guys were working out so we watched them in the weight room
for a little bit.
"What I saw, I liked. I liked it a lot really. I thought it was cool that Coach
(Tommy) Tuberville was doing all of that there, renovating their facilities like
he is. The remodeling and expansions are great. Just the direction they're
headed in, I liked it."
After his day with the coaches, Smith is excited about his chances of getting an
offer.
"At the end of camp we talked with Coach (Neal) Brown, but he told us they
weren't going to make any decisions right then. He said he's going to wait until
the end of these camps and then start making decisions. They're definitely going
to take at least one tight end this year and he just wants to make sure he
evaluates everybody," Smith said. "He told me they'd probably start making some
decisions after the 14th.
"I'm kind of expecting one after today. I feel like I did really well, but I've
obviously still got a lot of room for improvement. They told me they liked me,
so I'm feeling like one could be coming. I would be excited to have it."
Smith is next camping at Arkansas on Sunday, Oklahoma State on Wednesday, and
Kansas next Friday.
- Cowan
?
?
Recruiting Shut Down For Davis
How solid is Tenaha (Texas) athlete Reginald Davis' commitment
to Texas Tech?
"I thought that (the phone calls) would slow down once I committed, but now
schools still try to see how solid I am," he said. "They keep in touch with me,
but I tell them that I am not interested."
Davis stopped by the Red Raiders' Coppell camp on Saturday en route to an
unofficial visit to the South Plains, and said he enjoyed spending a couple of
hours with the program's coaching staff.
"It was good seeing them," he said. "They are like family to me. They asked how
things were going at home and how my grades were. I don't think football was
brought up more than once in the conversation, which is really cool to me. I
can't wait to get up there and learn from some of the best."
- Hair
?
Big V Has Also Shut Things Down
Haltom City (Texas) offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai has also shut down
his recruitment since committing to the Red Raiders in April.
"My coach has done a good job of telling coaches that my recruitment is shut
down, so I do not hear from many of the schools anymore," he said. "A few still
call, but not near what it used to be."
Vaitai took the SAT on Saturday, and then dropped by Tech's Coppell camp.
"I talked to Coach (Sonny) Cumbie for a while," he said. "It was nice just
sitting there talking to him about school and life and football."
- Hair
?
Williams' Coach Weighs In
Dallas (Texas) Bryan Adams coach Dereck Roberson had this to say about his star
linebacker and Texas Tech commit, Kris Williams, and what he has meant to the
Bryan Adams program over the last few years.
"The main thing is that Kris brings a lot of maturity to our program," Roberson
said. "He's an outstanding young man and a great individual. He comes from a
really supportive background. He brought a lot of competitiveness to our
program. I've been there for three years and we are trying to turn a program
around that hadn't won a lot of ball games. He was one of the main pieces to the
puzzle to help us get things turned around."
Roberson said that Williams' versatility really caught the attention of the Red
Raider coaching staff.
"Right now, just from talking to Coach (Chad) Glasgow and Coach Neal Brown, they
were both talking about his versatility and his athleticism," Roberson said. "I
know he's going to be used on the defensive side of the ball. Neal Brown thought
he could possibly play some offense, but you get on the field faster if you play
on the defensive side. So, Kris committed to be a linebacker. I'm not sure if
he's going to be the Will-side linebacker or that safety that they bring down to
form the 4-2-5 look. That question is still there on that, but he could play
either spot with ease. I just look forward to seeing him in the black and
scarlet and see him get going."
- Hair
?
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This post was edited on 6/17 6:02 PM by A. Dickens
