Good morning, happy Friday everyone.
As always, the Friday Flare is brought to you by our friends at Gator's Bayou. Need an adult beverage to round out your week? Head over to the patio at Gator's Bayou and have a few this afternoon.
Later this summer, they will be hosting live music. Check out their website and follow them on social media for more upcoming events.
----------
WEEKLY CLICKS
...a quick list of links from the various stories posted on RRS this week.
Texas Tech lands three-star RB Tahj Brooks
Reload, not a Rebuild
Tech towards the top for DB Kobee Minor following official visit
Commitment Analysis: Four-star WR Ja'Lynn Polk commits to Texas Tech
Bright sees "the fit" at Texas Tech
Sparkman loved Lubbock, talks TTU commitment
Moore loves the program at TTU
Jabar Triplett Jr. talks Texas Tech official, upcoming decision
Corprew suspended from all team activities
A winning mindset won over Dabon
Price recaps official visit to Tech
RB Tahj Brooks excited to be a Red Raider
Muhammad calls Texas Tech 'one of the best' visits
DE Blidi has Texas Tech on top
OL Caleb Rogers is all in with Texas Tech
LB target Jaylan Ford enjoyed TTU visit
Texas Tech - 2020 Recruiting Class
Warren adds another accolade to memorable senior season
Recruiting Roundtable: Recapping a big weekend and what's next
----------
RECRUITING IS BACK
Well, recruiting never left, but you get the idea. The 2020 recruiting class had been slow moving with a little momentum coming into the month of June, but I don't think anyone on the @staff here at RRS expected seven (7) new commitments in one week's time.
We have posted articles and roundtable discussions (see above - weekly links) with tons of details on the new commitments and our thoughts on who could be next, so I don't intend on rehashing those same thoughts and opinions here.
I think the way Matt Wells and his coaches have gotten to this point is an interesting topic though.
Arrive in early December, scramble to build out your staff, lose a few assistants, hire some new assistants, close out the 2019 class, continue to identify transfer targets and late 2019 additions, host official visitors in January, host two junior day events with 25-30+ 2020 prospects at each event, coaching staff on the road for two open contact or open evaluation periods this spring...
And all of those efforts culminated in this past week, with the coaches first hosting the on campus prospect camps a few weeks ago. Those camps yielded a few new 2020 offers, Philip Blidi and Ayden Visage.
A few days later, the coaches hosted new RB commitment Tahj Brooks for his official visit and we all know by now how that turned out.
The coaches also hosted Jakeem Green, a potential late addition to the 2019 class. The four-star JUCO prospect has an interesting story, he had offers from the likes of Alabama, Georgia and Florida, but according to a few sources did not have the grade or credit requirements to play in the SEC.
He verbally committed to Nebraska earlier this year, however, Green never signed his National Letter of Intent and the time for him to do so has 'expired'...basically meaning he is free to go wherever he would like.
The standout prospect does not like interviews, per his JUCO coaches. We have reached out to anyone who could potentially know about the visit or where things stand, and this is what we know...
Green really liked the visit, he wanted to go home and speak with his father before committing to the coaches. A few people we spoke with even mentioned that Tech might not feel 100-percent confident until he shows up with a suitcase in Lubbock later this summer.
All in all, the coaching staff feels like that will happen, but as we all know a ton can happen in a months time.
The coaches wrapped the week up with 15 official visitors and their parents coming to town, even sprinkled in a few unofficial visitors before and after the weekend.
Seven (7) commitments made public since last Thursday, more on the way that have not been announced.
I truly believe that waiting to host the first official visitors for the 2020 class last weekend was a gamble that paid off for Wells and his staff. Other schools were hosting official visitors the first weekend of April and throughout the spring, but the Tech coaching staff chose to wait and host their junior day events. They stayed on the road recruiting and evaluating potential new targets, and it seemed to be the right move for a new coaching staff looking to build relationships and in-roads throughout the state of Texas.
Now most of you reading this are saying..."so who commits next, Matt?"
I feel good about the following prospects joining the Red Raiders, maybe soon or maybe later in the process...
Myles Price
Philip Blidi
Jabbar Muhammad
Kobee Minor
Jaylan Ford
...and now we wait.
----------
THE DEAD PERIOD
So the dead period is here, and it is probably the 'deadest' period of the entire calendar year. Most coaching staffs and their support staffs are on vacation right now, returning to the office in a few weeks to get things going for the fall.
I just wanted to point a few things out when it comes to the dead period...
-Tech actually landed a few verbal commitments during the dead period last year
-Coaches are still allowed to receive calls and respond to texts/DMs from 2020 recruits
-Kids just cannot visit campus during this next month
-this dead period ends in late July, just in time for fall camp and any potential unofficial visitors to see practices before the season starts
There could be a commitment or two over the next month, but expect things to be pretty quiet compared to the previous 2-3 months on the recruiting trail.
----------
BUILDING THE TXHSFB PIPELINE
"These coaches do not have contacts with TXHSFB coaches"
"This guy needs to hire assistants with ties to TXHSFB coaches"
I could keep going, but everyone remembers the comments after Matt Wells was named the head coach of your Red Raiders...right?
Now that we can look back over the last six months, I think it is safe to say this 'concern' was pretty much overblown.
Don't get me wrong, these relationships and inroads are very much important, but Coach Wells has done a ton of work this calendar year to make sure Texas Tech Football was not behind in this regard.
120 TXHSFB coaches made their way through Lubbock, TX this off-season to watch practice, work outs, attend coaching clinics and the like. Wells and his entire staff have met with the TXHSFB coaches association and attended coaching clinics, namely the San Angelo clinic where their speeches received acclaim from media members in attendance.
We have fun around here, it's what we do and what makes the RRS message board a one of a kind experience.
The term "Gets It" is used sarcastically around here, and that is definitely funny...but look at what is happening and the purpose with Wells operates, and it is pretty difficult to deny that he does in fact "Get It"...right???
I don't think anyone really "likes" all of these clinics, camps, etc/etc...but the old saying about 'catching more flies with honey than vinegar' comes to mind here.
I just think it is crystal clear that Wells and his entire coaching staff are going above and beyond to make themselves a part of the Red Raider and Lubbock community, and that should pay big dividends moving forward whether we talk about recruiting or fan attendance or even just the perception of this new head coach at Texas Tech.
----------
QUICK LOOK - 2020 OFFERS
The Rivals.com Database shows a total of 132 offers out to 2020 prospects, as of today.
As we have already covered a number of times, the Texas Tech coaches now have 10 commitments with a few others on the way.
There are uncommitted prospects who are not considering Texas Tech and have their 'top programs' already listed out.
OFFENSE
QB - Donovan Smith (committed)
Six total offers listed, which includes Smith and the only uncommitted prospect is the former TTU commit Wilson Long.
RB - Tahj Brooks (committed)
12 total offers listed, which includes Brooks and four (4) other uncommitted prospects that have either received an offer from Texas Tech recently or still consider the Red Raiders an option.
WR - Ja'Lynn Polk (committed), JJ Sparkman (committed), Quin Bright (committed)
27 total offers listed, which includes the commitments and a few offers listed as 'athletes' in the Rivals database. Myles Price is one of those athletes included and RRS believes he could be one of the next 2020 commitments, which would make four (4) receivers committed.
Out of these offers, 11 of them remain uncommitted and that number includes Price.
In terms of the numbers, I know the coaches would take a commitment from Loic Fouonji, the West Texas prospect from Midland Lee. Right now, it would only be Price and Fouonji as 'new' additions at receiver in the 2020 class...but things change all of the time, this is just where things stand at the moment.
TE - no commitments
Four (4) total offers listed, all either committed elsewhere or prospects that have essentially eliminated the Red Raiders.
Tight End recruiting is still new around here, but since Conyers left Tech out of his Top 3, there have not been any new offers outside of the late addition 2019 kid from Kilgore who recently committed to Colorado.
OL - Caleb Rogers (committed), Larry Moore (committed)
18 total offers listed, which includes Rogers and Moore. The staff recently lost out on a pair of top targets - Calib Perez (Duke) and Tyler Bailey (TCU) - over the past week.
The remaining offers listed who remain uncommitted is a list of seven (7) prospects, some of them who aren't even really considering the Red Raiders at the moment.
The number is closer to 3 or possibly 4 targets on the offensive line considering Texas Tech, so it is safe to say there will be a few more offers and evaluations at this position.
DEFENSE
DT - no commitments
Three (3) offers are listed, and one of them is most likely not a real offer or from the previous staff. The other two include a prospect who lists a Top 12 without Texas Tech included and a prospect who ended up not visiting this past weekend.
There are most likely a few prospect listed as Defensive End who might be targets at Defensive Tackle for the Texas Tech coaching staff, so more to come for this position group.
DE - Clinton Anokwuru (committed)
12 total offers listed, which includes Akokwuru and three (3) other prospects that are either uncommitted or currently considering the Red Raiders.
Again, Blidi is one to watch here for a commitment, but we expect the coaches to take another 2-3 prospects on the defensive line in this 2020 class...so more offers here is probable as well.
LB - no commitments
9 total offers listed, which includes a few prospects listed as 'athlete' in the Rivals.com database.
There are 3-4 linebacker prospects listed that are uncommitted or still considering the Red Raiders, and that is pretty much by design. Through interviews with the recent visitors, the coaching staff wants to take three (3) linebackers in this 2020 class.
Three (3) prospects were on campus over the past week, so the coaches are making progress at this position for the 2020 class.
DB - Je'Vaun Dabon (committed), Jonathan Davis (committed)
36 total offers listed, which includes a few prospects listed as 'athlete' in the Rivals.com database.
From a rough count of the uncommitted and interested prospects, there looks to be another eight (8) prospects who have either visited officially or unofficially in the last few months.
The coaches already have two (2) commitments, both considered more of a safety prospect than corner. We expect a little movement on the corner back front with new commitments, but there will most likely be a total of 4-5 defensive backs taken in this 2020 class.
TAKEAWAYS
Offense - one more running back, maybe 1-2 more wide receivers, one tight end and at least 3-4 more offensive linemen.
Roughly six (6) more spots on offense...seven (7) prospects currently committed.
Defense - two defensive tackles, two more defensive ends, three linebackers and at least 3-4 more defensive backs.
Roughly 10 more spots on defense...three (3) prospects currently committed.
...so with 10 commitments now, the coaches could be taking a full class of 25 prospects or the available spots could allow them to take 26-27 total prospects in this 2020 class.
----------
LUUUUUUKKKKKKKKKAAAAAAAAA
The NBA rookie of the year belongs to the Dallas Mavericks and now KP is healthy going into next season...soon to be the best team in Texas again with the manboob drama in Houston, sounds like signing Jimmy Butler is a real great idea to fix that whole situation.
----------
STORY ON PAT MAHOMES SR.
After his pro career ended, Pat Mahomes Sr. went to pitch for the Sioux Falls Canaries, an Independent League Team.
Quick read, cool story.
----------
WHOA
Do you ever read stories like this or see things on the news, then say to yourself..."how bad would life have to get for me to actually do something like that???"
I know, me neither...but talk about a 'whoa' of a story here.
As always, the Friday Flare is brought to you by our friends at Gator's Bayou. Need an adult beverage to round out your week? Head over to the patio at Gator's Bayou and have a few this afternoon.
Later this summer, they will be hosting live music. Check out their website and follow them on social media for more upcoming events.
----------
WEEKLY CLICKS
...a quick list of links from the various stories posted on RRS this week.
Texas Tech lands three-star RB Tahj Brooks
Reload, not a Rebuild
Tech towards the top for DB Kobee Minor following official visit
Commitment Analysis: Four-star WR Ja'Lynn Polk commits to Texas Tech
Bright sees "the fit" at Texas Tech
Sparkman loved Lubbock, talks TTU commitment
Moore loves the program at TTU
Jabar Triplett Jr. talks Texas Tech official, upcoming decision
Corprew suspended from all team activities
A winning mindset won over Dabon
Price recaps official visit to Tech
RB Tahj Brooks excited to be a Red Raider
Muhammad calls Texas Tech 'one of the best' visits
DE Blidi has Texas Tech on top
OL Caleb Rogers is all in with Texas Tech
LB target Jaylan Ford enjoyed TTU visit
Texas Tech - 2020 Recruiting Class
Warren adds another accolade to memorable senior season
Recruiting Roundtable: Recapping a big weekend and what's next
----------
RECRUITING IS BACK
Well, recruiting never left, but you get the idea. The 2020 recruiting class had been slow moving with a little momentum coming into the month of June, but I don't think anyone on the @staff here at RRS expected seven (7) new commitments in one week's time.
We have posted articles and roundtable discussions (see above - weekly links) with tons of details on the new commitments and our thoughts on who could be next, so I don't intend on rehashing those same thoughts and opinions here.
I think the way Matt Wells and his coaches have gotten to this point is an interesting topic though.
Arrive in early December, scramble to build out your staff, lose a few assistants, hire some new assistants, close out the 2019 class, continue to identify transfer targets and late 2019 additions, host official visitors in January, host two junior day events with 25-30+ 2020 prospects at each event, coaching staff on the road for two open contact or open evaluation periods this spring...
And all of those efforts culminated in this past week, with the coaches first hosting the on campus prospect camps a few weeks ago. Those camps yielded a few new 2020 offers, Philip Blidi and Ayden Visage.
A few days later, the coaches hosted new RB commitment Tahj Brooks for his official visit and we all know by now how that turned out.
The coaches also hosted Jakeem Green, a potential late addition to the 2019 class. The four-star JUCO prospect has an interesting story, he had offers from the likes of Alabama, Georgia and Florida, but according to a few sources did not have the grade or credit requirements to play in the SEC.
He verbally committed to Nebraska earlier this year, however, Green never signed his National Letter of Intent and the time for him to do so has 'expired'...basically meaning he is free to go wherever he would like.
The standout prospect does not like interviews, per his JUCO coaches. We have reached out to anyone who could potentially know about the visit or where things stand, and this is what we know...
Green really liked the visit, he wanted to go home and speak with his father before committing to the coaches. A few people we spoke with even mentioned that Tech might not feel 100-percent confident until he shows up with a suitcase in Lubbock later this summer.
All in all, the coaching staff feels like that will happen, but as we all know a ton can happen in a months time.
The coaches wrapped the week up with 15 official visitors and their parents coming to town, even sprinkled in a few unofficial visitors before and after the weekend.
Seven (7) commitments made public since last Thursday, more on the way that have not been announced.
I truly believe that waiting to host the first official visitors for the 2020 class last weekend was a gamble that paid off for Wells and his staff. Other schools were hosting official visitors the first weekend of April and throughout the spring, but the Tech coaching staff chose to wait and host their junior day events. They stayed on the road recruiting and evaluating potential new targets, and it seemed to be the right move for a new coaching staff looking to build relationships and in-roads throughout the state of Texas.
Now most of you reading this are saying..."so who commits next, Matt?"
I feel good about the following prospects joining the Red Raiders, maybe soon or maybe later in the process...
Myles Price
Philip Blidi
Jabbar Muhammad
Kobee Minor
Jaylan Ford
...and now we wait.
----------
THE DEAD PERIOD
So the dead period is here, and it is probably the 'deadest' period of the entire calendar year. Most coaching staffs and their support staffs are on vacation right now, returning to the office in a few weeks to get things going for the fall.
I just wanted to point a few things out when it comes to the dead period...
-Tech actually landed a few verbal commitments during the dead period last year
-Coaches are still allowed to receive calls and respond to texts/DMs from 2020 recruits
-Kids just cannot visit campus during this next month
-this dead period ends in late July, just in time for fall camp and any potential unofficial visitors to see practices before the season starts
There could be a commitment or two over the next month, but expect things to be pretty quiet compared to the previous 2-3 months on the recruiting trail.
----------
BUILDING THE TXHSFB PIPELINE
"These coaches do not have contacts with TXHSFB coaches"
"This guy needs to hire assistants with ties to TXHSFB coaches"
I could keep going, but everyone remembers the comments after Matt Wells was named the head coach of your Red Raiders...right?
Now that we can look back over the last six months, I think it is safe to say this 'concern' was pretty much overblown.
Don't get me wrong, these relationships and inroads are very much important, but Coach Wells has done a ton of work this calendar year to make sure Texas Tech Football was not behind in this regard.
120 TXHSFB coaches made their way through Lubbock, TX this off-season to watch practice, work outs, attend coaching clinics and the like. Wells and his entire staff have met with the TXHSFB coaches association and attended coaching clinics, namely the San Angelo clinic where their speeches received acclaim from media members in attendance.
We have fun around here, it's what we do and what makes the RRS message board a one of a kind experience.
The term "Gets It" is used sarcastically around here, and that is definitely funny...but look at what is happening and the purpose with Wells operates, and it is pretty difficult to deny that he does in fact "Get It"...right???
I don't think anyone really "likes" all of these clinics, camps, etc/etc...but the old saying about 'catching more flies with honey than vinegar' comes to mind here.
I just think it is crystal clear that Wells and his entire coaching staff are going above and beyond to make themselves a part of the Red Raider and Lubbock community, and that should pay big dividends moving forward whether we talk about recruiting or fan attendance or even just the perception of this new head coach at Texas Tech.
----------
QUICK LOOK - 2020 OFFERS
The Rivals.com Database shows a total of 132 offers out to 2020 prospects, as of today.
As we have already covered a number of times, the Texas Tech coaches now have 10 commitments with a few others on the way.
There are uncommitted prospects who are not considering Texas Tech and have their 'top programs' already listed out.
OFFENSE
QB - Donovan Smith (committed)
Six total offers listed, which includes Smith and the only uncommitted prospect is the former TTU commit Wilson Long.
RB - Tahj Brooks (committed)
12 total offers listed, which includes Brooks and four (4) other uncommitted prospects that have either received an offer from Texas Tech recently or still consider the Red Raiders an option.
WR - Ja'Lynn Polk (committed), JJ Sparkman (committed), Quin Bright (committed)
27 total offers listed, which includes the commitments and a few offers listed as 'athletes' in the Rivals database. Myles Price is one of those athletes included and RRS believes he could be one of the next 2020 commitments, which would make four (4) receivers committed.
Out of these offers, 11 of them remain uncommitted and that number includes Price.
In terms of the numbers, I know the coaches would take a commitment from Loic Fouonji, the West Texas prospect from Midland Lee. Right now, it would only be Price and Fouonji as 'new' additions at receiver in the 2020 class...but things change all of the time, this is just where things stand at the moment.
TE - no commitments
Four (4) total offers listed, all either committed elsewhere or prospects that have essentially eliminated the Red Raiders.
Tight End recruiting is still new around here, but since Conyers left Tech out of his Top 3, there have not been any new offers outside of the late addition 2019 kid from Kilgore who recently committed to Colorado.
OL - Caleb Rogers (committed), Larry Moore (committed)
18 total offers listed, which includes Rogers and Moore. The staff recently lost out on a pair of top targets - Calib Perez (Duke) and Tyler Bailey (TCU) - over the past week.
The remaining offers listed who remain uncommitted is a list of seven (7) prospects, some of them who aren't even really considering the Red Raiders at the moment.
The number is closer to 3 or possibly 4 targets on the offensive line considering Texas Tech, so it is safe to say there will be a few more offers and evaluations at this position.
DEFENSE
DT - no commitments
Three (3) offers are listed, and one of them is most likely not a real offer or from the previous staff. The other two include a prospect who lists a Top 12 without Texas Tech included and a prospect who ended up not visiting this past weekend.
There are most likely a few prospect listed as Defensive End who might be targets at Defensive Tackle for the Texas Tech coaching staff, so more to come for this position group.
DE - Clinton Anokwuru (committed)
12 total offers listed, which includes Akokwuru and three (3) other prospects that are either uncommitted or currently considering the Red Raiders.
Again, Blidi is one to watch here for a commitment, but we expect the coaches to take another 2-3 prospects on the defensive line in this 2020 class...so more offers here is probable as well.
LB - no commitments
9 total offers listed, which includes a few prospects listed as 'athlete' in the Rivals.com database.
There are 3-4 linebacker prospects listed that are uncommitted or still considering the Red Raiders, and that is pretty much by design. Through interviews with the recent visitors, the coaching staff wants to take three (3) linebackers in this 2020 class.
Three (3) prospects were on campus over the past week, so the coaches are making progress at this position for the 2020 class.
DB - Je'Vaun Dabon (committed), Jonathan Davis (committed)
36 total offers listed, which includes a few prospects listed as 'athlete' in the Rivals.com database.
From a rough count of the uncommitted and interested prospects, there looks to be another eight (8) prospects who have either visited officially or unofficially in the last few months.
The coaches already have two (2) commitments, both considered more of a safety prospect than corner. We expect a little movement on the corner back front with new commitments, but there will most likely be a total of 4-5 defensive backs taken in this 2020 class.
TAKEAWAYS
Offense - one more running back, maybe 1-2 more wide receivers, one tight end and at least 3-4 more offensive linemen.
Roughly six (6) more spots on offense...seven (7) prospects currently committed.
Defense - two defensive tackles, two more defensive ends, three linebackers and at least 3-4 more defensive backs.
Roughly 10 more spots on defense...three (3) prospects currently committed.
...so with 10 commitments now, the coaches could be taking a full class of 25 prospects or the available spots could allow them to take 26-27 total prospects in this 2020 class.
----------
LUUUUUUKKKKKKKKKAAAAAAAAA
The NBA rookie of the year belongs to the Dallas Mavericks and now KP is healthy going into next season...soon to be the best team in Texas again with the manboob drama in Houston, sounds like signing Jimmy Butler is a real great idea to fix that whole situation.
----------
STORY ON PAT MAHOMES SR.
After his pro career ended, Pat Mahomes Sr. went to pitch for the Sioux Falls Canaries, an Independent League Team.
Quick read, cool story.
----------
WHOA
Do you ever read stories like this or see things on the news, then say to yourself..."how bad would life have to get for me to actually do something like that???"
I know, me neither...but talk about a 'whoa' of a story here.
