Happy Friday everyone, let's go........
SUNS UP, GUNS UP
It's here, the day you have all been waiting for...gameday. Your Red Raiders tip off against Northern Kentucky in a few hours.
I'm lame and did not fill out a bracket, but most of the talking heads and things that I see online have the good guys making it to the Sweet 16, Elite 8 and some are calling for a Final 4 appearance.
The @RRSteam has dissected this match up and provided a ton of content related to the game...but that isn't really my lane and not what I'm here to talk about.
How about the rise of the brand? Texas Tech basketball is riding high, light years better compared to years past.
Coach Beard and his staff are landing nationally ranked players, targeting 'their' guys and landing them more often than not.
For example...
For me, it all culminated in this video of "the process" released yesterday.
If this doesn't make you feel some sort of way, then you are a weird person...halfway through the video, I was like "ohhhhhhhh, I see what is happening here".
Gold, beautiful, amazing, perfect...all of these words and more can be used to describe the idea, the execution and overall timing of this video.
I cannot post every tweet or video here, but the entire social team has killed it leading into the tip-off today.
----------
NEW 2020 FB OFFERS
Domio is a JUCO prospect who is originally from Houston and graduated in the class of 2018, then ended up at Blinn C.C. after failing to qualify out of high school.
He now holds six offers, including offers from Auburn and Nebraska.
McWilliams went into last weekend's Opening regional camp with zero offers. He then proceeded to measure in at 6-foot-2, 202-pounds and posted a 4.48 second 40-yard dash time, which is very impressive for a running back that size.
The camp was held last Sunday, by Monday evening McWilliams had scholarship offers from Tulsa, Houston, Baylor and Texas Tech.
There are now 98 reported offers from the Texas Tech staff to 2020 prospects.
----------
OTHER 2020 CLASS AND RECRUITING NOTES
By now, most everyone knows that the Red Raiders landed a commitment from dual-threat quarterback Donovan Smith - the son of new running backs coach DeAndre Smith.
Per sources, Smith is expected to join his family in Lubbock later this summer and plans to enroll at Frenship high school for his senior season.
But outside of that, there isn't a ton we know about Smith. He played quarterback sparingly, and mostly played wide receiver for the past two seasons at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas.
At 6-foot-4, 195-pounds and with the track & field record breaking time posted above, it is very safe to say the Red Raiders are getting a very athletic specimen...whether he ends up playing quarterback or another role on for the team.
The best part about Smith? He is constantly recruiting for the Red Raiders on social media.
Prospect gets a new offer from Tech? "That is a move" from Smith.
Prospect visits and posts a picture? "That red and black looks good on you" from Smith.
Prospect posts an edit from Tech? "You know the deal, join the family" from Smith.
You get the idea, every recruiting class needs a guy like this...someone to help spread the good word the coaching staff works so hard to spread themselves.
SADDLE UP
Unless you have been living under a rock...or just busy at work...then you are probably familiar with the "Saddle Up" series premier from the Texas Tech Athletics Department.
Again, just like the above mention of kudos on the basketball videos, this is just a very well executed production and something fans almost need with a new head coach and coaching staff here at Texas Tech.
LINK
If you haven't watched it yet, then do yourself a favor and take the time to watch today.
JUNIOR DAY UPDATES
Everyone can find the full list here - LINK
The @RRSteam has already confirmed 26 total prospects from both the 2020 and 2021 classes for next weekend's junior day.
The first junior day in late February had upwards of 30-plus prospects in town, and this upcoming junior day seems to be headed in the same direction.
We have seen several defensive line targets headed to the South Plains and the coaching staff has embraced the "DL Junior Day", which started as a joke between Coach Randolph and the recruits themselves.
OPEN PRACTICE TODAY @3:30pm
Reminder to everyone in Lubbock and the surrounding areas, the coaching staff is hosting an open practice for the general public at The Jones today from 3:30-4:30pm.
Our team will be in attendance and provide notes for the folks not able to attend, but just a reminder for those in town and available to attend.
----------
RECRUITING EDITS, I REPEAT...WE HAVE RECRUITING EDITS!!!
Anyone that has followed my posts over the past 2-3 years knows that I have called for these types of recruiting edits for a while now.
Some, maybe most, will think it is arbitrary and not that big of a deal...but those people are wrong.
These edits went out to several top 2020 targets starting this Monday, a simple and straight forward idea...but extremely effective.
I know, attention is the root of all evil these days.
But college coaches are in the business of grabbing the attention of 17-18 year old kids, and whatever your thoughts on the topic, this clearly grabs their attention and gets them thinking about suiting up in the red & black.
I look forward to seeing more of these creative edits from the program...(and so do the recruits)
----------
RIVALS CAMP DALLAS
Myself and @B. Golan will be covering the Rivals Camp in Dallas this weekend for RRS. DFW is such a hotbed for talent and a clear recruiting focus for the Red Raiders every year.
A quick review of the roster for this weekend provided 50-plus prospects/targets with an offer or interest from the Texas Tech coaching staff.
We will be posting updates from the RRS Twitter account this Sunday, so make sure to follow.
The camp ends around 2pm, then we will begin getting updates posted on the site. The entire week will be full of updates from 2020 and 2021 targets.
----------
WHOA
This started popping up on the timeline earlier in the week, and it is something called a "Russian Slapping Tournament"...basically guys line up and slap the s out of each other.
AVENGERS TRAILER - CLEVELAND BROWNS EDITION
I'm no Browns fan, but I am a nerd for all things Marvel...so as a football fan in general, this made me laugh.
HYDER TO THE BOYS
Yeah yeah, Cowboys suck and your team is better...whatever. Texans fans get Coutee, now the good guys have Hyder.
As TTU fans, always good to see a former Red Raider succeed.
Waddle also signed a free agent deal with the Buffalo Bills, following Amendola's deal with the Detroit Lions announced last week.
RIVALS - HARRELL REBOOTING USC's OFFENSE
Nothing mind-blowing here, just wanted to share as most of us here know the whole "simple playbook" narrative anytime the Air-Raid is discussed...but every OC puts their own spin on the offense and I'm eager to see how Harrell does at USC this season.
DIRK = THE GOAT
https://twitter.com/dallasmavs/status/1107806126048010243
Although he is a shell of his former self, it was still very cool to see Dirk move into 6th overall in NBA scoring earlier this week.
He is one of a kind and it is amazing what he has done in his career...
SUNS UP, GUNS UP
It's here, the day you have all been waiting for...gameday. Your Red Raiders tip off against Northern Kentucky in a few hours.
I'm lame and did not fill out a bracket, but most of the talking heads and things that I see online have the good guys making it to the Sweet 16, Elite 8 and some are calling for a Final 4 appearance.
The @RRSteam has dissected this match up and provided a ton of content related to the game...but that isn't really my lane and not what I'm here to talk about.
How about the rise of the brand? Texas Tech basketball is riding high, light years better compared to years past.
Coach Beard and his staff are landing nationally ranked players, targeting 'their' guys and landing them more often than not.
For example...
For me, it all culminated in this video of "the process" released yesterday.
If this doesn't make you feel some sort of way, then you are a weird person...halfway through the video, I was like "ohhhhhhhh, I see what is happening here".
Gold, beautiful, amazing, perfect...all of these words and more can be used to describe the idea, the execution and overall timing of this video.
I cannot post every tweet or video here, but the entire social team has killed it leading into the tip-off today.
----------
NEW 2020 FB OFFERS
Domio is a JUCO prospect who is originally from Houston and graduated in the class of 2018, then ended up at Blinn C.C. after failing to qualify out of high school.
He now holds six offers, including offers from Auburn and Nebraska.
McWilliams went into last weekend's Opening regional camp with zero offers. He then proceeded to measure in at 6-foot-2, 202-pounds and posted a 4.48 second 40-yard dash time, which is very impressive for a running back that size.
The camp was held last Sunday, by Monday evening McWilliams had scholarship offers from Tulsa, Houston, Baylor and Texas Tech.
There are now 98 reported offers from the Texas Tech staff to 2020 prospects.
----------
OTHER 2020 CLASS AND RECRUITING NOTES
By now, most everyone knows that the Red Raiders landed a commitment from dual-threat quarterback Donovan Smith - the son of new running backs coach DeAndre Smith.
Per sources, Smith is expected to join his family in Lubbock later this summer and plans to enroll at Frenship high school for his senior season.
But outside of that, there isn't a ton we know about Smith. He played quarterback sparingly, and mostly played wide receiver for the past two seasons at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas.
At 6-foot-4, 195-pounds and with the track & field record breaking time posted above, it is very safe to say the Red Raiders are getting a very athletic specimen...whether he ends up playing quarterback or another role on for the team.
The best part about Smith? He is constantly recruiting for the Red Raiders on social media.
Prospect gets a new offer from Tech? "That is a move" from Smith.
Prospect visits and posts a picture? "That red and black looks good on you" from Smith.
Prospect posts an edit from Tech? "You know the deal, join the family" from Smith.
You get the idea, every recruiting class needs a guy like this...someone to help spread the good word the coaching staff works so hard to spread themselves.
SADDLE UP
Unless you have been living under a rock...or just busy at work...then you are probably familiar with the "Saddle Up" series premier from the Texas Tech Athletics Department.
Again, just like the above mention of kudos on the basketball videos, this is just a very well executed production and something fans almost need with a new head coach and coaching staff here at Texas Tech.
LINK
If you haven't watched it yet, then do yourself a favor and take the time to watch today.
JUNIOR DAY UPDATES
Everyone can find the full list here - LINK
The @RRSteam has already confirmed 26 total prospects from both the 2020 and 2021 classes for next weekend's junior day.
The first junior day in late February had upwards of 30-plus prospects in town, and this upcoming junior day seems to be headed in the same direction.
We have seen several defensive line targets headed to the South Plains and the coaching staff has embraced the "DL Junior Day", which started as a joke between Coach Randolph and the recruits themselves.
OPEN PRACTICE TODAY @3:30pm
Reminder to everyone in Lubbock and the surrounding areas, the coaching staff is hosting an open practice for the general public at The Jones today from 3:30-4:30pm.
Our team will be in attendance and provide notes for the folks not able to attend, but just a reminder for those in town and available to attend.
----------
RECRUITING EDITS, I REPEAT...WE HAVE RECRUITING EDITS!!!
Anyone that has followed my posts over the past 2-3 years knows that I have called for these types of recruiting edits for a while now.
Some, maybe most, will think it is arbitrary and not that big of a deal...but those people are wrong.
These edits went out to several top 2020 targets starting this Monday, a simple and straight forward idea...but extremely effective.
I know, attention is the root of all evil these days.
But college coaches are in the business of grabbing the attention of 17-18 year old kids, and whatever your thoughts on the topic, this clearly grabs their attention and gets them thinking about suiting up in the red & black.
I look forward to seeing more of these creative edits from the program...(and so do the recruits)
----------
RIVALS CAMP DALLAS
Myself and @B. Golan will be covering the Rivals Camp in Dallas this weekend for RRS. DFW is such a hotbed for talent and a clear recruiting focus for the Red Raiders every year.
A quick review of the roster for this weekend provided 50-plus prospects/targets with an offer or interest from the Texas Tech coaching staff.
We will be posting updates from the RRS Twitter account this Sunday, so make sure to follow.
The camp ends around 2pm, then we will begin getting updates posted on the site. The entire week will be full of updates from 2020 and 2021 targets.
----------
WHOA
This started popping up on the timeline earlier in the week, and it is something called a "Russian Slapping Tournament"...basically guys line up and slap the s out of each other.
AVENGERS TRAILER - CLEVELAND BROWNS EDITION
I'm no Browns fan, but I am a nerd for all things Marvel...so as a football fan in general, this made me laugh.
HYDER TO THE BOYS
Yeah yeah, Cowboys suck and your team is better...whatever. Texans fans get Coutee, now the good guys have Hyder.
As TTU fans, always good to see a former Red Raider succeed.
Waddle also signed a free agent deal with the Buffalo Bills, following Amendola's deal with the Detroit Lions announced last week.
RIVALS - HARRELL REBOOTING USC's OFFENSE
Nothing mind-blowing here, just wanted to share as most of us here know the whole "simple playbook" narrative anytime the Air-Raid is discussed...but every OC puts their own spin on the offense and I'm eager to see how Harrell does at USC this season.
DIRK = THE GOAT
https://twitter.com/dallasmavs/status/1107806126048010243
Although he is a shell of his former self, it was still very cool to see Dirk move into 6th overall in NBA scoring earlier this week.
He is one of a kind and it is amazing what he has done in his career...
Last edited:
