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Edwards Talks Aggies
Brenham (Texas) wide receiver Derek Edwards has continued to be
heavily pursued by a few of Texas Tech's chief rivals in the Big 12 South. With
rumblings on the Internet of a trip to College Station earlier this week,
Edwards set the record straight.
"I was there, but it was for a different reason. It rained in Brenham a lot this
week and we needed somewhere else to practice, so the closest place we could get
was in College Station. So we went and practiced in A&M's bubble," he said. "I
didn't go to watch their practice, my team just went and practiced there.
"Coach (Mike) Sherman was there, and Jerrod Johnson was there too. Most of them
were just getting off of the field when we were getting on. I saw a lot of them.
They're recruiting me hard still too, so they came up and talked to me for just
a minute. That's really about it. As far as me going and watching their
practice, I haven't done that."
Aside from the Aggies, the 2011 Texas Tech commit is also still hearing from
Arkansas, Arizona and Oklahoma State. Those five programs will more than likely
be on the list when Edwards begins scheduling official visits.
"I haven't set up any official visits with anybody yet. I do plan on using all
five of my visits, though. I just want to be able to check it all out while I
can," he said. "My dad told me to keep my options open even after committing,
which I'll do. So I'm planning on taking all of my visits right now."
"I'll probably wait until the season is over. I'm just going to try and find a
time that's convenient. One that will allow me to focus on what I'm there to
see."
The 6-foot-1, 163-pounder has also continued to hear from his fellow Tech
commits in addition to those other programs hoping to sway his decision. "I
talked to Tony (Morales) just the other day and I talk to
Michael (Brewer) all the time, Kenny (Williams)
too. We're creating a relationship before we even get the chance to be on the
same team and that's been really important to us. I stay in touch with those
guys pretty often."
Edwards is expected to visit A&M this weekend along with several of his Brenham
teammates. Despite the upcoming visit, Edwards reaffirmed his commitment to
Texas Tech when asked about his status.
"I'm still solid with Texas Tech."
- Cowan
?
White Solid To TCU
We mentioned last week that Killeen (Texas) Ellison defensive tackle
Devon Hocutt told us that he had spoken with DeSoto (Texas) wide receiver
Cameron White on Facebook and had learned that the top wideout
had decommitted from TCU again.
There must have been some miscommunication, because White appears to be solid to
the Horned Frogs. We checked with several sources over the week and all said the
same thing, that White had pretty much shut things down and was happy with TCU.
It would have surprised us, honestly, if White was still looking hard at the Red
Raiders because Tech doesn't seem to have much room left on offense and I don't
think White is a "take no matter what" guy.
- Dickens
?
Alfredo Morales Discusses Visit
Arlington (Texas) Sam Houston offensive linemen Alfredo Morales
visited Lubbock this past weekend and enjoyed the Red Raiders 35-27 victory over
the SMU Mustangs.
"It was real good; it was really exciting just to see some of the other commits
and all the people at the game," he said.
The 6-foot-2, 287-pound guard enjoyed the game but noted that there was room for
improvement.
"I think they played good, they didn't have much penalties and that was big," he
said. "I also liked how quick they were running plays at the first of the game.
They had trouble running at times, I think it was really just first game
jitters. They will get better as the season moves on."
Alfredo also enjoyed the game day atmosphere of the South Plains.
"It was a really exciting atmosphere. I think it was around 60,000 people there
and most of them were screaming and wearing red," he said. "Me and Tony
(Morales) must have had around 100 people walk up to us and introduce
themselves to us and some who said they knew us. It felt like we were apart of a
big family so it was really exciting to be there and see that first hand."
Alfredo and his brother will be back in Lubbock on September 18 to watch the
Raiders play the Texas Longhorns and they are excited to come back to Lubbock.
"Lubbock is real tight, it's not like a small town but it isn't huge ether.
Everyone is nice and seems to really love Texas Tech," Morales said.
- Hair
?
Marquez Impressed With Tech Crowd
Odessa (Texas) running back Bradley Marquez also made the trip
up to Lubbock to watch Texas Tech's season-opening victory over SMU.
"It was amazing," Marquez said of the atmosphere. "Just to be a part of it with
all those people, and everybody coming together. I guess Tuberville was the one
that said to wear red and everybody was wearing red. There's nothing like a
Lubbock crowd, and I know because of playing against them in high school, I
played against Monterey, Coronado, High, and all of them. The fans they carry
over that emotion to Texas Tech it's crazy and I loved it and I'm glad they are
going to be on my side next year."
Marquez said there were a few things that really stood out out him during the
game and the crowd was one of them.
"Just being around the players because I met some of them when I have been there
to check the campus," Marquez said. "Seeing them when we got to go on the field
for warm-ups and stuff, seeing them and after the game going into the locker
room with Coach Tuberville. And one of the things that really stood out, too,
was when we were walking off the field through the student section fans would
say, ‘Hey Marquez, good game on Friday.' Fans know you around there and I'm not
even there yet. The fans already know and love their Red Raider football; it was
amazing."
Although, the final score may have been closer than what most Tech fans had
hoped for, Marquez said the game was never in question and that Texas Tech was
the dominant team out there.
"Good. Texas Tech is always going to put up big numbers; it's just a matter of
the defense getting stops," Marquez said. "I thought the defense came out and
played great defense and was able to put the ball back into the hands of the
offense early. Looking at the scoreboard, people will say it was close, but to
me, with the atmosphere and kind of being right there behind the defense, it was
never SMU's game, it was Tech's.
"They controlled the whole game and like Coach Tuberville said after the game,
‘They (Tech) were better conditioned and they controlled it.' SMU didn't want
anymore of Tech and their defense flew around and hit people hard, and the
offense was putting up points as usual. The game was Tech's from beginning to
end regardless of the score."
- Fleming
?
Tony Morales Weighs In On Trip
Arlington (Texas) Sam Houston offensive linemen and Red Raider commit
Tony Morales enjoyed his trip to Lubbock over the weekend.
"It was really good, better than expected," he said. "It was crazy because right
when I got there the fans were walking up to me when I was walking around and
telling me that they were excited to see me play here, and couldn't wait to see
me play come tear it up. It was crazy."
Like his brother, Alfredo, Tony enjoyed the atmosphere.
"It was great because I was on the sidelines and the student section just had
guys calling my name. It was a really good atmosphere. I like everyone in all
red."
Tony thought the Red Raiders played well and definitely saw one major reason he
thought helped the Raiders come out on top.
"I thought they looked good on offense, they struggled a little at first but
they were all very good conditioned and that is what I think helped them win the
game, they were definitely the more conditioned team," he said. "I think the
running game could of done a little better but (Baron) Batch and (Eric) Stephens
are good and will find a way to make it work."
The 6-foot-4, 300-pound center prospect also saw an improvement on the other
side of the ball.
"Defense did good, I saw them pick the ball off a lot and Brian Duncan had I
think three sacks, he did real good," he said "They were fun to watch on
defense."
With the visit to Lubbock last weekend only being a one-day trip for Tony, he is
excited about visiting the 18th of September and staying for the whole weekend
to watch Tech play the Longhorns.
"I will probably come Friday, because that is our bye week, so I will be there
for the whole weekend and get to enjoy the visit a little bit more than this
one," Tony said. "I think all the commits will be there so that will be really
cool."
Hocutt Didn't Visit
It was initially thought that Killeen (Texas) Ellison defensive tackle and Red
Raider commit Devon Hocutt visited Tech over the weekend, but
that turned out not to be the case.
"I did not make it in last weekend, but I will be there to see them play UT in
two weeks," he said.
Hocutt said that the plan at this point is for all of the commits to be in
Lubbock on Sept. 18, even if just on an unofficial visit.
"All the commits are coming down for that game," he said. "I am really pumped."
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This post was edited on 9/14 1:45 PM by A. Dickens
