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Tech Extends Another 2012 Offer
Spring (Texas) Klein Oak athlete Nick Baratti's junior
campaign has helped him receive attention from some of the top schools in the
nation.
"Right now I get a lot of letters from LSU, Arizona, Auburn, Louisville, TCU and
my coach has said that a few other schools have came around and asked about me."
Baratti has been invited to unofficially visit different schools this season but
his football schedule has held him back from visiting any campuses so far.
"I have been invited to a bunch of them this year but it actually going so far
has been tough because of scheduling because I ether have a game the day before
or of the same days as the college game. I am planning to visit a bunch of
schools after the season."
After his sophomore season, Baratti visited one school and plans on making more
than just one visit this time around.
"I went to a Baylor camp this past summer and it was good but I don't know. I
think that I want to go to a bigger school -- that campus didn't really do much
for me, it was too small," he said. "I think I am going to go visit Texas Tech,
Auburn, LSU and probably Oklahoma."
Tech entered the picture back in September for Baratti when teammate Jon
Lewis committed to the Red Raiders. Recently, one of the Red Raiders
coaches made the trip down to watch the Klein Oak duo play.
"They came to our homecoming game a couple of weeks ago and I guess they liked
what they saw because after the game they offered me," he said. "I think it is
great, we have a defensive player on our team who is committed there right now
named Jon Lewis. He has told me how great it is up there and how they are going
to be really good really soon. I am probably going to visit them right after the
season."
Baratti is excited about all of his planned visits this offseason and even says
that right now those are his top schools but one of those schools he is ready to
learn more about.
"I am just not sure yet about Tech. I don't know much about them or their
program but I will be open to them and all of their coaches when I go down there
to visit them. Jon tells me it is awesome up there and that the coaches are
second to none in the nation.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound standout could play either offense or defense for the
Red Raiders, but Baratti clearly has a preference.
"Probably quarterback, I see a lot of teams offer guys as athlete but end up
playing wide receiver or quarterback in the wildcat and play some defense as
well so it is really wherever I am needed but quarterback will always be my
first choice."
Other than Tech, Baratti holds offers from Arizona State, Baylor, Mississippi
State and Southern Miss.
- Hair
.
Jackson Names Early Favorites
Cuero (Texas) junior running back Trent Jackson has not had the
junior season for the Gobblers that he expected to have coming into this year.
"I tore my ACL in about the fourth game of the season," he said. "I was juking
on and it just popped. They play before I broke a run for about 65 yards and
then on the second play I just had one man to beat and I tired to juke inside
and just tore my ACL."
Jackson had a successful surgery in October and so far rehab is on schedule for
him to be back for his senior year. Jackson said even with the injury he is
still receiving letters from schools around the nation but he has had to push
back many unofficial visits he had planned this year because of his surgery.
"I had a bunch of schools I was going to go to but with surgery and everything I
couldn't do much so I am just going to have to wait for after the season or this
summer to do that stuff," he said. "I am looking forward to going to A&M next
week to watch them face Nebraska. It should be a good one."
Even though 5-foot-10, 195-pound prospect is receiving letters from schools
across the country, he already has a pretty good idea of what schools he can see
himself playing for.
"I am kinda open to all schools but I have a top three right now. My top 3 is
Texas A&M, Alabama and Texas Tech."
The Red Raiders will have to wait for an official visit from Jackson to the
South Plains because of he said that drive is "too far of a trip with my knee"
but makes a point to stay in contact with the coaches.
"I do talk to them a lot I call Chad Scott about once a week
just to let them know that I am still interested and want to eventually make it
down to see them."
- Hair
.
Tech Looking At Anderson
Cedar Hill (Texas) wide receiver Andre Anderson picked up his
first Division I offer last week.
"Well, last week I received my first offer from Rice," Anderson said. "Other
than that, I don't have any other offers, but I know Oklahoma is looking at me,
Texas Tech and Tulsa."
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound wideout said he has had some contact with Tech's
recruiters. He said they have been to a few of his practices and made it out o
one of his games, but that was the extent of their relationship thus far.
He said the attention from Big 12 schools like Oklahoma and Texas Tech is
exciting, but he said he still needs to look into schools to figure out exactly
where his future college will be.
"I think that they are both great programs," Anderson said, "but me and my dad
are looking into which school is better as far as academics. Because I know they
are good at football, but I would have to look more into it before I would
commit."
One of the most important factors in Anderson's college choice is how far away
he is from home. He said he wants to stay close to Cedar Hill.
"I think most important of all would be how far I am from home," Anderson said
"because I really don't want to go too far from home, so I think that would be
it, besides academics."
- Fleming
.
Premium Q&A: Jaye Crockett
On his first season to play for Tech
JC: "I'm a lot more into it this year than last year; I was
just watching, more like a fan. Now, I'm more into the team, I've got a big part
to do and I'm ready for the season to get started."
On how much he learned redshirting
JC: "I learned a lot, from the coaches teaching me stuff as the
game's going on, they're telling me stuff during practice, and just sitting and
watching other people making mistakes that I don't need to make or doing good
things that I need to do. the only bad thing about that was I didn't get the
physical experience and learning that way."
On feeling prepared
JC: "Oh yeah, I'm ready for sure. we did a lot of preparing
this whole summer, worked hard and in the off-season; it's here so I've got to
step up."
On the younger guys
JC: "We have a lot of young people and a lot of old people; a
lot of the older people are teaching the younger people. The old people are
learning from the young people too. I think we're just a team, it doesn't make
that big of a difference what grade we're in or class."
On his role
JC: "My role this year is to rebound and score on open buckets;
don't force too many buckets and play good defense."
On Pat Knight talking about expectations, pressure?
JC: "It's good and bad because there is a lot of pressure and
you don't want to mess up, but we don't need to mess up, we need to be on our
toes at all times and want to win. I feel like everybody's job is on the line so
we just need to go out there and give 100 percent every time."
On being frustrated thinking he could have helped out last year with injuries
JC: "Yeah, when people were hurt and had injuries and I felt
like I could have gone in there and do something. The time went by so fast;
we're here now where it worked for me to red-shirt and now I'm ready."
On being nervous or happy to finally be playing
JC: "I'm glad it's here, but I've had butterflies ever since
fifth grade; every time the game's about to start I've got butterflies. This is
a big stage to play on now and I've got to be ready to play on it."
On what they do well
JC: "They've got some shooters, they're a good shooting team
because they're not that big, of course they've got to be outside a lot. That's
the only thing, shooting, three-point shooting."
On the importance of coming out strong
JC: "It's real important because a lot of big teams, D-1 teams
always have upsets at the beginning of the year. We can't be that team that gets
upset. Like you said, everybody's life is on the line, our jobs. We've got to
come out like we're playing Texas or Kansas State every night."
- Rogers
.
Coleman Is On The Radar
Richardson (Texas) athlete Corey Coleman is wrapping up his
junior season and has already gained the attention of some schools in the Big 12
and even a few out of state.
"I have been hearing from Texas Tech, Texas A&M, OU, OSU, Texas, Southern Cal,
Arkansas, and Baylor too," Coleman said.
Coleman's speed and versatility might have something to do with it as he has
been clocked at a sub 4.3 40 and can play virtually anywhere on the football
field. So far this season, he has been in the back field as a running back, out
in the slot as a receiver. On defense he has lined up as a corner and as a free
safety.
He has been in contact with Texas Tech through running backs' coach Chad Scott
and defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson. On being asked
where the Red Raiders' staff is wanting him to play, Coleman said, "They haven't
told me where but they say that I can play pretty much anywhere I want to. I've
told them whatever gets me on the field that fastest, I'll play there." He has
also expressed a desire to see playing time as a freshman and will play where
ever it will get him on the field.
Coleman does not have any plans yet to take any visits, but said that once his
season is over he and his dad will sit down and discuss his options.
Currently, he only holds one offer from Oklahoma State, but mentioned that the
other schools that have been recruiting him have told him that they want to see
him in person on a visit or at a camp before they extend an offer. Coleman has
no set timetable or plans on when he want to commit or take his visits but
chuckled as he attributed this to him still being a junior. "No [plans,] not
yet, I'm still young; still thinking."
- Rogers
.
Crane Has A Favorite
Denton (Texas) Guyer wide receiver Connor Crane has yet to
receive his first offer, but he's getting steady mail from Boise State, Iowa,
Texas A&M and Texas Tech. At this point, though, the Red Raiders are clearly
ahead of the pack.
"I was at the Oklahoma State-Texas Tech game as a visitor for Tech," he said. "I
liked it a lot, I have been calling the receiver coach, Sonny Cumbie,
a lot and I like him. He seems pretty down to earth and knows what it is like to
be a recruit because he played quarterback at Tech. Right now Texas Tech is
really the only school I have been talking to.
"I like that this early on they are very interested and it definitely has made
an impression on me."
Crane said that Tech's early interest "means a lot" to him; he hopes to visit
the campus again next summer.
- Hair
.
Quick Kenny Williams Note
We haven't heard anything from our sources in Austin that are close to to
Kenny Williams' recruitment or his high school coach over the
last week and a half that would lead us to believe that he is heavily
considering switching his commitment to Texas A&M. I know there are reports out
there that say otherwise, but we have not spoken with anyone that is connected
to Williams who believes those are true.
Brian Perroni attended Hendrickson's first-round playoff game against West
Mesquite (a 48-39 loss) and spoke with Williams' father, who said that the visit
to Texas A&M "wasn't a big deal."
Speculation will, of course, continue until Williams chooses to set the record
straight (not that he's obligated to). As always, we'll stay on top of the
situation as best as we can.
- Dickens
.
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This post was edited on 11/12 1:09 AM by A. Dickens
This post was edited on 11/19 12:41 AM by A. Dickens
