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Hoping to add some size to their wide receiver unit, the Red Raiders have been targeting a few JUCO receivers that would fit the bill of the receiver they are looking for. A new name that has popped up on their radar is Coffeyville C.C. (Kansas) receiver Juwann Winfree.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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“I heard from the offensive coordinator Eric Morris recently,” he said. “He was just reaching out to me and expressing to me how he really enjoyed watching my film and how he wants to recruit me. He has hopes of coming out to my school and wanting to talk to me. He could be out here soon.”
Winfree is a big fan of the Tech offense as well.
“Oh yes. I really like that air-raid type of offense. I remember Michael Crabtree catching all of those passes and running all over the field. I really like that offense.”
The JUCO receiver has been able to catch bits and pieces of Tech games this year and thinks his skills could be utilized in a variety of ways in their offense.
“I can come in as a receiver and play multiple roles in that offense. I am 6-foot-2, 210-pounds and I can come in as a slot receiver or an outside receiver. I can catch screens and can go deep and be a deep threat too.”
Winfree has three years to play two and graduates in May. While Tech is more than likely looking to add December graduates at this point, Winfree provides size that they are currently lacking and would hold the Raiders in high regard if an offer were to come. If Morris makes it out to visit the receiver, he would definitely be a recruit to keep an eye on.
-Kohnle
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When Texas Tech offered Mexia (Texas) 2017 dual threat quarterback Jaylen Gipson about six months ago. Then, came the commitment of Cibolo Steele quarterback Xavier Martin, which ultimately slowed talks between Gipson and the Red Raiders. Texas Tech is Gipson’s sole offer, but he's received a lot of interest after his stellar junior season. Despite the disconnect with the coaching staff, he's continued to view Texas Tech in a serious light.
WHAT’S NEXT? Schools like Arkansas and TCU have shown interest in Gipson this season. He's shown vast improvement from his sophomore year to junior year. The process of offering quarterbacks is sometimes a slow one, so the timetable for more programs to extend one could slip past the offseason and over into his senior campaign. Gipson has visits plans to take visits to Baylor, TCU
IN HIS WORDS: “I like how they run their offense, because it's similar to what I run in high school. Me and my parents have talked about going down there for an official visit soon.I know it's about a six or seven hour ride from where I'm from but it's still a Texas school. From what I hear it's a great school and I like the program” said Gipson.
-Martin
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With a few more scholarships left to be filled for the defensive side of the ball, the Tech coaches could spend it adding another linebacker. La Mirada (Ca.) linebacker Cameron Carr has been on their radar throughout the season and some coaches are supposed to be up in California in the coming weeks and they could stop by to see the recruit.
“My coach is keeping in contact with Coach Chiaverini and things seem to be going really well. After every game I watch the film and put together a highlight reel and then I send it to the whole defensive staff. My head coach said they will be stopping by the school soon to see me.”
Carr has a few ties to the Tech program as his former teammate Tony Brown has started for the Red Raiders in a couple games this year. His head coach at La Mirada, Mike Moschetti, is also a former college teammate of Chiaverini. Due to these reasons, Carr has spent a lot of type studying up on and watching Tech play this year.
“I feel like I can help the program. I know that I could step in early and contribute because I’ve played in that type of defense before. I have a good grasp on the terminology and I know how everything is supposed to go,” he said. “I’ve watched most of the games that they have played on TV. They play aggressive and they are really starting to understand what is going on.”
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker has taken a lot of the advice he got over the summer and applied it to the field this year. As mentioned earlier, he has spent countless hours putting together highlight films and sending them to the coaches. He feels like a lot of things he has worked on has really shown up on film this year.
“I’ve really put an emphasis on finding the ball and getting to the ball and making a play. I’ve been practicing on shedding blocks so that I can find the ball and make a play. I think from watching the film you can see these things, you can see that I am aware, and you can see that I get to the ball fast.”
Carr currently has no scholarship offers but is waiting on his SAT scores to get in. Once those scores come in, he really feels like his recruitment will take off and could pick up an offer from Tech.
-Kohnle