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In the mix for Gaston
When we spoke with recent Texas Tech offer, Fort Gibson (OK) linebacker
Courtney Gaston, he three-star prospect was said from the beginning
that he listed Kansas, Kansas State and Arkansas in his top three because they
had been with him the earliest.
So does that mean that the Red Raiders don't have a chance since they’ve come in
a few months later?
“I really don’t feel like they have any ground to make up,” said Gaston. “I
think everyone is pretty much even right now in my recruiting process. What I’m
looking for is a loyalty aspect of thing to see how faithful they’ll be to me.
In this situation, I really don’t know how things will play out.”
We do feel like Texas Tech can catch up with any time that they might have lost
over the last few months. To us, it sounds like Gaston is still open. Not to
mention, he likes the Red Raiders.
“I know is that they’re good all around. They have a good offense and defense.
Sometimes their offensive scheme and defensive scheme don’t work out as well as
they want it too but for the most part I can tell they’re pretty good at what
they do.”
He spoke with both defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill and
running backs coach Clay McGuire (area recruiter) on the phone
earlier in the week and that conversation helped.
“Coach McNeill told me that their defense is the same as what we’re doing now at
my school. If I did go there, it wouldn’t be much of a change for me. That would
help me out in picking a school. I wouldn’t have a problem with changing
position but just getting in there and working and see how the players are
towards each other and the coaches is important.”
Where Gaston’s at right now with his recruiting process is that he wants to
visit some more programs. He’s seen Arkansas, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Oklahoma
State. We do not believe that the Sooners are going to bite, and the
Cowboys already have four linebackers committed.
“The last time I talked to them, Coach Venable told me they’re really close to
it. I’m not worried if they do or don’t. Hopefully they do and I can have more
options and talk to my parents and get everything squared away.”
He still wants to visit Kansas, Kansas State, Texas Tech and Baylor. With no
timetable in place, we think the Red Raiders are going to get a chance to get an
official visit out of Gaston if they continue to pursue him.
Premium Photo: Texas Tech OL commit James Polk
We had someone head over to Alief (TX) Elsik on Monday and snag this photo of
recent Texas Tech offensive line commit James Polk.
2011 basketball offer extended
Full Court Athletes head coach Jason Ross gets approached about
2010 Rivals150 guard Rickey Scott the most but, with a national
standout like Scott on his team, other players are now getting noticed too. One
of those that’s taking the most advantage of that is 2011 point guard
Jevante Thompson.
“Texas Tech came out to see Rickey Scott and saw Jevonte,” said Ross. “They
asked about the guy that was attacking with the basketball. It went from there.”
The Red Raiders eventually gave Thompson an offer and his other one is currently
from Utah State. He’s also getting attention from SMU, TCU and Wichita St.
“Everyone that’s seen him and has loved him. Arkansas is in the mix, too.”
The 5-foot-11 guard has managed to get himself noticed.
“He’s a special talent. He’s one of these football players that have been
playing both sports. Now he’s decided to stick with one sport and I think he’s
going to take off the same way that Rickey did last summer going into his junior
year.
“Jevante is extremely quick. He’s one of those special athletes that does
everything with his right hand except shoot the basketball. He dunks the ball
with his right hand. It’s hard to defend because he’s hard to tell if he’s right
handed or left handed.”
Stay tuned for more on Thompson.
Premium Q&A: Full Court Athletes head coach Jason Ross
Speaking of Ross, we spoke with him at length about the recruitment of Rickey
Scott.
How’d Scott play this summer?
JR: He played great this summer. He really showed that he can play multiple positions and guard multiple positions. It was a definite improvement form his sophomore year to his junior year. He was a lot more confident on the basketball court. We’re still trying to work on him being more of a leader and being more vocal because right now he leads more by example. Sometimes we need him to talk. That’s something that I’m really trying to get him to work on. Guys really follow you when you speak. He’s one of those guys that just gets things done. Sometimes I think he can get more out of his teammates if he got on them from time to time.
Were you surprised as to how well he did the last few months?
JR: I think this is a guy who’s finally stopped playing football and now he’s strictly focused on basketball. I don’t think he’s anyway near his potential. I think his senior year is going to be incredible. He’s working out every day and working out at five in the morning and taking jump shots. His work ethic and athleticism is unbelievable.
Did he get better as the summer went on?
JR: He’s the type of kid that you tell him what he needs to work on and you’ll see the difference next week. If you tell him he needs to go left more, the next game he’s going left. He’s the type of kid where the sky is the limit. I believe when he gets to college and gets some real college coaching, he’s going to be a sight to see.
What has the recruiting attention been like for him?
JR: It’s been great for Rickey and for other guys on the team. They’re all getting the opportunity to be seen by 30-50 scouts every game. It’s been great for him and they’ve made a lot of people’s lists by playing with Rickey Scott. It’s also a tough situation because Rickey has to play so many minutes and some games he’s just tired.
He told another Rivals site recently that he was going to go on official visits to Missouri, Marquette and Oklahoma. Is that accurate?
JR: An official visit is a relative term, where you have to wait till school starts. I think some of those might be an unofficial. Oklahoma is only two hours away. I don’t think it’s something where we have to take an official visit. I think OU is a school that he’s going to take a look at though. Marquette and Missouri would probably be official visits because they’re so far away.
Who are other schools in the mix worth mentioning?
JR: SMU, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Missouri, Marquette, Arkansas is in the mix, Georgetown has been recruiting him pretty tough. He has a pretty good list of schools that are really trying to make a run at him.
What advice do you give him?
JR: The first thing is what’s important to him. If he’s looking to get the best education then he needs to go to the five best schools for academics. I he’s trying to go pro then he needs to look at the best five that are trying to get him there. Once you get there, it’s tough because you develop relationships with all those coaches. He doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings so I tell him before he gets his list down to make sure he goes through it several times. Look and see if a coach is going to be patient with you or recruit over you. You have to take all those things into consideration.
What can you tell us about Texas Tech’s involvement?
JR: Coach Knight has been in the recruiting process very early and that’s rare for a head coach to get involved early. Technically it’s up to the assistant coaches and then the head coach comes in later.
After Scott’s visited Tech twice, he’s still going to take an official as well?
JR: Yes, because his parents have never been there. Rickey has been there but his parents have never gone down. I think a guy like Rickey has such close ties to his family and wouldn’t make a major decision to what school he’s going to without his parents input.
From your perspective, what are the positives that Tech presents?
JR: It’s only a five hour drive from his hometown, that’s one thing. I think the coaches have seen him enough to know exactly what he can and can’t do. I think they have a pretty good idea of his strengths and weaknesses. I think they would definitely be patient with him. If he attends, I think they’d give him the opportunity to grow.
What’s his timetable?
JR: I think every player says they’re going to take five visits. That’s what he’s saying right now as well.
Baseball stadium and recruiting scoop
While there will be no changes this year to the exterior of Dan Law Field,
there is an extensive clubhouse renovation going on. New carpet and flooring is
being installed, along with new furniture and a new widescreen television. The
approximate cost upon completion will be close to $100,000. Funding was private
by donations and also money was kicked in from the Diamond Club which is a
fundraising organization for baseball.
The clubhouse will help Texas Tech keep up with the massive arms race going on
now in Big 12 baseball. Most of the schools in the league have new or renovated
clubhouses. It’s an area where the players and coaches spend a lot of time and
generally one of their first impressions when on a recruiting visit.
Speaking of baseball, look for head coach Dan Spencer to add
one more arm to the roster before classes begin this fall. The Red Raiders are
looking to add a JUCO pitcher and news regarding that addition should come down
in the next few days.
Spencer’s group recently picked up a commitment from Austin Anderson shortstop
David Paiz. The right handed hitting Paiz will sign in
November. Because of his frame look for Paiz to possibly be moved to third when
he reaches campus in 2010.
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This post was edited on 8/14 2:15 PM by A. Dickens
This post was edited on 8/18 6:00 AM by A. Dickens
