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.
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.
Ten bold predictions for Texas Tech's 2019 football season
Around the NCAA: College Football Recruiting Expenses Continue to Rise
Texas Tech 2020 commit high school football schedules
Takeaways: Texas Tech's Matt Wells anxious for game day
Patterson, Coleman talk Texas Tech defense as game day approaches
Preview: Montana State invades Lubbock in week one
Texas Tech's Donta Thompson comfortable as full-time tight end
Q&A with 2020 center Gethro Muscadin
Key Players to Watch: Texas Tech, Montana State
Notes from the Matt Wells Radio Show
2021 LB James Burnett highly interested in Texas Tech
4-star forward Micah Peavy looks ahead to Texas Tech visit
Gator's Bayou Mailbag - Recruiting Edition
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DEAL EXPIRES TOMORROW!!!
There is still time to tell a friend or family member to take advantage of the training camp subscription deal - use the promo code ADIDAS and receive 25% off of the annual subscription PLUS $75 gift card for free gear.
Copy this link and share with your fellow Red Raiders today, please and thank you.
----------
NEW 2021 OFFER
Earlier this week, Napa (Calif.) 2021 tight end Brock Bowers announced a new offer from the Red Raiders.
The addition of the tight end into the offense has been no secret, and now the coaches have identified an underclassman prospect at the position. Bowers is the first tight end prospect offered in the 2021 class.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound junior already holds 12 offers from Texas Tech, Cal, Nevada, Arizona State, Utah, Nebraska, Oregon State, Tennessee, San Jose State, UCLA, Utah State and USC.
We still need to speak with Bowers, but the Utah State offer is interesting and could mean there is a history with Coach Luke Wells.
Bowers is currently ranked as the No. 14 overall tight end prospect in the nation for the 2021 class and the No. 24 overall prospect on the Rivals California Top 50 for the 2021 class.
----------
BIG 12 POWER RANKINGS
Ok, I'm going to try and keep up with this on a weekly basis now that the season is finally here.
Here goes...
1. Oklahoma
If you want to be the champ, you have to beat the champ...nobody has done that in the past 4 seasons.
2. Texas
Is Texas back? Who knows, but they do have a lot of solid pieces if Tom Hermann can put it all together.
3. Iowa State
Campbell has proven himself as a resourceful coach when it comes to recruiting and development, and the Cyclones look to have another solid season with Brock Purdy at QB and a strong front of the defensive line.
4. Oklahoma State
5. Baylor
6. TCU
This group of three schools can be rearranged, there is a lot to learn about all three schools in the first few weeks of football.
Oklahoma State and TCU will be using new quarterbacks, and Baylor is looking to break through the 6-7 win mark for the first time in several years.
7. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders could easily supplant the three schools above, however, there are just too many unknowns on defense and with a new coaching staff going into the season.
8. West Virginia
Neal Brown takes over as the head coach of the Mountaineers and most reports have West Virginia labeled as a rebuilding project. I'm not sure if I buy that line, as Brown can gameplan and beat most teams on any given weekend.
9. Kansas State
While the new coaching staff and approach for the Wildcats is intriguing, I believe the changes and new look Kansas State will take more time to develop.
10. Kansas
New coach, lots of buzz in the media...but the same Kansas this season.
----------
PFF GRADES GOING INTO TOMORROW
Anyone can pick Bowman or Brooks, but not me...not me.
Eli Howard on defense and Ta'Zhawn Henry on offense, these are my picks to breakout this season. Howard has already shown growth over the past two seasons, and now Red Raider fans get to watch him chase down quarterbacks for two more seasons. Henry absolutely stood out as a true freshman, and the new offense should feature a lot of screen passes and gadget plays designed simply to get the ball in his hands - think jet sweep, think Jakeem Grant type stuff.
----------
THE CAPTAINS - AS RECRUITS
The Red Raiders will kick off the season tomorrow and these are the team captains going into week one.
I wanted to take a look back at each captain as a recruit...
OT Travis Bruffy - a two-star prospect from the Houston area, chose the Red Raiders over offers from Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, New Mexico and Rice. Now the starting right tackle, Bruffy is a leader within the program and around the Texas Tech community. He participates in several extra curricular activities and groups, and he recently won an award that will help pay for his graduate degree.
DB Douglas Coleman - a three-star prospect from Louisiana, flipped to the Red Raiders late in the process from Louisiana Tech. Coleman held 11 total offers, Tech came in late as his lone Power Five offer. He has played on special teams and earned some playing time over the past two seasons, but never a starting role or standout position. Coleman enters the season as a captain and someone the new coaching staff has raved about over the off-season and fall camp.
LB Jordyn Brooks - a three-star prospect from the Houston area, chose the Red Raiders over offers from Arkansas, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Missouri, Washington and late pushes from both Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. Brooks has lived up to his Top 100 ranking out of high school, and will be one of the mainstays in the Texas Tech defense going into the season. A nagging shoulder injury kept Brooks from being 100-percent early in his career, but he was quoted as being the healthiest and strongest he has ever been at Big 12 media days. It could be a big season for the massive senior linebacker.
DT Broderick Washington - a two-star prospect from East Texas, the one-time offensive lineman coming out of Longview High School chose the Red Raiders over offers from Houston, UTSA, Arkansas State and a handful of others. The clear leader of the defense, Washington is another senior with plenty of starting experience in Big 12 play. A big season from Washington equals success for the Texas Tech defense.
-----------
MAHOMES TWEETS!!!
He's back folks, and not only did Mahomes tweet/shoutout his Red Raiders...the first football related TTU tweet in a while...BUT then Kirby Hocutt announced something even better on his weekly radio show.
Mahomes bought a "block" of season tickets and is using them for community outreach, providing the tickets mostly to kids who are otherwise unable to attend games at Jones AT&T Stadium. There was also a mention of Mahomes potentially hosting an event next spring/summer in Lubbock as well.
----------
CARTER NAMED THE STARTER AT RUTGERS
Most of you might have seen this already, but the announcement started getting around yesterday that former Texas Tech QB McLane Carter was named the starting QB for Rutgers going into week one of the season.
The big lefty was a good story to tell after bouncing from state champion, to small private school, to JUCO and making it to D1.
I hope it works out for McLane and Rutgers, also hope they can protect him against the Penn State/Michigan/Ohio States of the world.
----------
ZEKE???
"Missing one, but we will have him on the field...and I'm not joking"
The topic of Ezekiel Elliott's on-going hold out gives me tired head, but the confidence from Jerry so close to the season earlier this week is something...(?)
I tend to think there are teams, like the Cowboys, who receive so much media coverage that the winds of change in story lines like this can get adjusted to fit that day/weeks headline or narrative.
Are the Cowboys and Zeke close to an agreement? Will he play in week one?
I don't really know, I don't follow it that closely...but it sounded like people thought something would be announced this week, ahead of the preparation and game planning for week one.
If that doesn't happen, it seems likely that Zeke could sit out even longer...right?
----------
EA SPORTS / MADDEN 20 VIDEO
I haven't played video games in years, but this is just cool...was told the TTU FB Video team helped put this together, very impressive.
----------
Have a great weekend, have fun in week one!
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.
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.
Ten bold predictions for Texas Tech's 2019 football season
Around the NCAA: College Football Recruiting Expenses Continue to Rise
Texas Tech 2020 commit high school football schedules
Takeaways: Texas Tech's Matt Wells anxious for game day
Patterson, Coleman talk Texas Tech defense as game day approaches
Preview: Montana State invades Lubbock in week one
Texas Tech's Donta Thompson comfortable as full-time tight end
Q&A with 2020 center Gethro Muscadin
Key Players to Watch: Texas Tech, Montana State
Notes from the Matt Wells Radio Show
2021 LB James Burnett highly interested in Texas Tech
4-star forward Micah Peavy looks ahead to Texas Tech visit
Gator's Bayou Mailbag - Recruiting Edition
----------
DEAL EXPIRES TOMORROW!!!
There is still time to tell a friend or family member to take advantage of the training camp subscription deal - use the promo code ADIDAS and receive 25% off of the annual subscription PLUS $75 gift card for free gear.
Copy this link and share with your fellow Red Raiders today, please and thank you.
----------
NEW 2021 OFFER
Earlier this week, Napa (Calif.) 2021 tight end Brock Bowers announced a new offer from the Red Raiders.
The addition of the tight end into the offense has been no secret, and now the coaches have identified an underclassman prospect at the position. Bowers is the first tight end prospect offered in the 2021 class.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound junior already holds 12 offers from Texas Tech, Cal, Nevada, Arizona State, Utah, Nebraska, Oregon State, Tennessee, San Jose State, UCLA, Utah State and USC.
We still need to speak with Bowers, but the Utah State offer is interesting and could mean there is a history with Coach Luke Wells.
Bowers is currently ranked as the No. 14 overall tight end prospect in the nation for the 2021 class and the No. 24 overall prospect on the Rivals California Top 50 for the 2021 class.
----------
BIG 12 POWER RANKINGS
Ok, I'm going to try and keep up with this on a weekly basis now that the season is finally here.
Here goes...
1. Oklahoma
If you want to be the champ, you have to beat the champ...nobody has done that in the past 4 seasons.
2. Texas
Is Texas back? Who knows, but they do have a lot of solid pieces if Tom Hermann can put it all together.
3. Iowa State
Campbell has proven himself as a resourceful coach when it comes to recruiting and development, and the Cyclones look to have another solid season with Brock Purdy at QB and a strong front of the defensive line.
4. Oklahoma State
5. Baylor
6. TCU
This group of three schools can be rearranged, there is a lot to learn about all three schools in the first few weeks of football.
Oklahoma State and TCU will be using new quarterbacks, and Baylor is looking to break through the 6-7 win mark for the first time in several years.
7. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders could easily supplant the three schools above, however, there are just too many unknowns on defense and with a new coaching staff going into the season.
8. West Virginia
Neal Brown takes over as the head coach of the Mountaineers and most reports have West Virginia labeled as a rebuilding project. I'm not sure if I buy that line, as Brown can gameplan and beat most teams on any given weekend.
9. Kansas State
While the new coaching staff and approach for the Wildcats is intriguing, I believe the changes and new look Kansas State will take more time to develop.
10. Kansas
New coach, lots of buzz in the media...but the same Kansas this season.
----------
PFF GRADES GOING INTO TOMORROW
Anyone can pick Bowman or Brooks, but not me...not me.
Eli Howard on defense and Ta'Zhawn Henry on offense, these are my picks to breakout this season. Howard has already shown growth over the past two seasons, and now Red Raider fans get to watch him chase down quarterbacks for two more seasons. Henry absolutely stood out as a true freshman, and the new offense should feature a lot of screen passes and gadget plays designed simply to get the ball in his hands - think jet sweep, think Jakeem Grant type stuff.
----------
THE CAPTAINS - AS RECRUITS
The Red Raiders will kick off the season tomorrow and these are the team captains going into week one.
I wanted to take a look back at each captain as a recruit...
OT Travis Bruffy - a two-star prospect from the Houston area, chose the Red Raiders over offers from Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, New Mexico and Rice. Now the starting right tackle, Bruffy is a leader within the program and around the Texas Tech community. He participates in several extra curricular activities and groups, and he recently won an award that will help pay for his graduate degree.
DB Douglas Coleman - a three-star prospect from Louisiana, flipped to the Red Raiders late in the process from Louisiana Tech. Coleman held 11 total offers, Tech came in late as his lone Power Five offer. He has played on special teams and earned some playing time over the past two seasons, but never a starting role or standout position. Coleman enters the season as a captain and someone the new coaching staff has raved about over the off-season and fall camp.
LB Jordyn Brooks - a three-star prospect from the Houston area, chose the Red Raiders over offers from Arkansas, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Missouri, Washington and late pushes from both Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. Brooks has lived up to his Top 100 ranking out of high school, and will be one of the mainstays in the Texas Tech defense going into the season. A nagging shoulder injury kept Brooks from being 100-percent early in his career, but he was quoted as being the healthiest and strongest he has ever been at Big 12 media days. It could be a big season for the massive senior linebacker.
DT Broderick Washington - a two-star prospect from East Texas, the one-time offensive lineman coming out of Longview High School chose the Red Raiders over offers from Houston, UTSA, Arkansas State and a handful of others. The clear leader of the defense, Washington is another senior with plenty of starting experience in Big 12 play. A big season from Washington equals success for the Texas Tech defense.
-----------
MAHOMES TWEETS!!!
He's back folks, and not only did Mahomes tweet/shoutout his Red Raiders...the first football related TTU tweet in a while...BUT then Kirby Hocutt announced something even better on his weekly radio show.
Mahomes bought a "block" of season tickets and is using them for community outreach, providing the tickets mostly to kids who are otherwise unable to attend games at Jones AT&T Stadium. There was also a mention of Mahomes potentially hosting an event next spring/summer in Lubbock as well.
----------
CARTER NAMED THE STARTER AT RUTGERS
Most of you might have seen this already, but the announcement started getting around yesterday that former Texas Tech QB McLane Carter was named the starting QB for Rutgers going into week one of the season.
The big lefty was a good story to tell after bouncing from state champion, to small private school, to JUCO and making it to D1.
I hope it works out for McLane and Rutgers, also hope they can protect him against the Penn State/Michigan/Ohio States of the world.
----------
ZEKE???
"Missing one, but we will have him on the field...and I'm not joking"
The topic of Ezekiel Elliott's on-going hold out gives me tired head, but the confidence from Jerry so close to the season earlier this week is something...(?)
I tend to think there are teams, like the Cowboys, who receive so much media coverage that the winds of change in story lines like this can get adjusted to fit that day/weeks headline or narrative.
Are the Cowboys and Zeke close to an agreement? Will he play in week one?
I don't really know, I don't follow it that closely...but it sounded like people thought something would be announced this week, ahead of the preparation and game planning for week one.
If that doesn't happen, it seems likely that Zeke could sit out even longer...right?
----------
EA SPORTS / MADDEN 20 VIDEO
I haven't played video games in years, but this is just cool...was told the TTU FB Video team helped put this together, very impressive.
----------
Have a great weekend, have fun in week one!
