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How Things Stand
Tommy Tuberville and his staff are two and a half months away from signing their
second class at Texas Tech -- here's how things stand at this point in the 2011
recruiting cycle.
Quarterback - Commits: Michael Brewer; Other
Targets: None. - Tech seemed to flirt with the idea of adding another
quarterback early in the process, but that didn't materialized. Brewer will
enroll early at Tech and go through spring practice.
Offensive Skill Players - Commits: Jace Amaro, Ronnie
Daniels, Derek Edwards, Bradley Marquez, LaDarrin Robertson*, DeAndre
Washington, Kenny Williams; Other Targets: Andre Davis, Brandon Fulse, Rashad Greene, Arrius Holleman,
Frankie Williams* and others. - Tech appears to have room to take a couple-few
more offensive skill players in this class, and the hope is to get at least one
prospect with plus speed.
Offensive Linemen - Commits: Le'Raven Clark, Alfredo Morales, Tony
Morales; Other Targets: Jason Peacock and others - The Red Raiders
should feel really good about the three guys they have committed at this spot,
but it seems like they are interested in adding another if they can find the
right guy. Peacock, a JUCO prospect, has recently been linked to Tech and he's
gone on the record stating that he plans to visit West Texas.
Defensive Linemen - Commits: James Castleman, Kindred Evans, Jon Lewis;
Other Targets: Brandon Alexander, Desimon Green,
Cameron Henderson, Branden Jackson, Toby Jackson and others - Pass rush is still
a huge need for Tech, so this position will likely be addressed with multiple
additions, and it wouldn't surprise us if at least one came from the junior
college ranks.
Linebackers - Commits: Blake Dees, Terrell Hartsfield,
Sam Eguavoen, LaDarrin Robertson*; Other Targets: Gionni Paul,
Ramik Wilson - Eguavoen is really raw at this point, but the potential is there
for him to be an impact player in the future. Paul and Wilson will likely visit
Tech at some point, both would be huge additions.
Defensive Backs - Commits: Jeremy Reynolds, LaDarrin Robertson*,
Freddie Warner; Other Targets: Devin Gaulden, Marcus Roberson, Frankie
Williams* and others - Tech is in good shape with both Gaulden and Roberson, but
don't look for either prospect to make a decision in the near future. Williams
may visit Tech, but it isn't a certainty yet.
Enrolling Early - Michael Brewer, Ronnie Daniels and Jeremy
Reynolds.
* Indicates the prospect could start out at one of multiple positions.
- Level, Dickens
.
Hunt Hopes To Hear More From Tech
El Campo (Texas) defensive tackle Joey Hunt is already on the radar for next
season. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound prospect earned District MVP honors and helped
lead his team to an undefeated record in the regular season.
"So far, I have visited Oklahoma, U of H, Rice, TCU a UT game and I am going to
an A&M game this weekend," he said. "Pretty much all of the schools in Texas are
sending me letters and then some out of state like Oregon, Nebraska and Alabama.
Those are pretty much the schools I am hearing from the most of the time.
Hunt has also heard from the Red Raiders.
"Texas Tech came a few times to watch me practiced, but I haven't really talked
to a coach from there yet. I have received letters and few e-mails from them,
but I haven't talked to them much. I am interested to go look at them because
other recruits and coaches are saying that they are rebuilding and have a pretty
good coaching staff that plans to win the Big 12 really soon."
As for favorites, Hunt claims that he is fairly open.
"I do not really have a number one or anything but I am interested in anyone who
is interested in me," he said. "Since I was little I have always liked Texas but
they are not a lock of a place I have to go by any means. I want to go somewhere
I can play early and contribute and I would like to stay close to Texas but I do
not really have a number one favorite right now."
Hunt currently holds an offer from Rice.
- Hair
.
Johnson Just Wants To Win
Confidence and desire to win exude from Austin (Texas) Westwood quarterback Ben
Johnson as he is already preparing to bounce back from a shaky junior season.
After going just 5-5, he has his sights set on next year's playoffs run.
"I thought it was a pretty good junior season overall. I improved a lot from my
sophomore year, throwing the ball and being a better leader on the field. The
wins and losses was a big disappointment for me. This was my first season to
ever have a losing season before; that's why I'm looking forward to this coming
up year, to get back to playoffs and making a far run; as far as we possibly can
go."
Johnson has already begun to attract the attention of schools around the region.
"I would probably say Oklahoma State is coming after me the most right now;
Coach Spencer has been talking to me a lot. They are looking at me as an
athlete/quarterback right now, but it's undecided. TCU's talking to me, Texas
A&M is talking to me, they're probably number two; they're looking at me
strictly as an athlete. TCU is looking at me as an athlete too; I know SMU is
looking at me as an athlete. University of Houston is looking at me as a
quarterback."
Along those, Johnson noted that he has been in contact with Baylor and lists
them in his top five.
"I'm not really leaning towards any school right now. I think my top five
schools that I would want to go to would be Texas, TCU, Oklahoma State, Texas
A&M, and Baylor. Those are probably the top five; those are the top five that
I've talked to the most."
While he would love to lead the team as the quarterback, Johnson said he is
willing to do anything to help his team win, even if it means playing on
defense.
"My dream has always been to play quarterback, but it honestly doesn't matter to
me as long as we're winning conference championships, leading onto BCS and
National Championships; it really doesn't matter to me. It's been a dream of
mine to play quarterback but if they need me to safety, receiver; I'll do
whatever it takes to win."
- Rogers
.
Thomas Still Going Strong
Orange (Texas) West Orange-Stark defensive back Justin Thomas continues to
receive interest from top schools from around the country.
"TCU, Texas, Arkansas, LSU, Florida State, Miami, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Texas
Tech, Nebraska, Oklahoma and pretty much a lot of other places," he said.
"Really, all of (the in-state schools) I have been in contact with, except
Baylor. I don't think I am very interested in them."
Thomas noted that TCU stands out "a little bit" at this point, but said that
he's waiting until after his season ends to really dive into the recruiting
process.
"I am waiting until after the season and hopefully schools will start to show
more interest, and then I will decide where I want to go visit," he said. "After
our season, I will go visit a few places and go to some camps."
Thomas already holds offers from Tech and Houston.
- Hair
.
More on Kenny Williams
Pflugerville (Texas) Hendrickson running back and Tech commit Kenny Williams was
pretty clear in saying earlier this week that he was solid and "locked in" with
the Red Raiders. In fact, based on how often he said he speaks with running
backs coach Chad Scott, it doesn't seem like that was ever in question.
"I talk to Coach Scott, I wouldn't say on a daily basis but at least three times
a week."
- Rogers
.
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This post was edited on 11/26 2:31 PM by A. Dickens
