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2019 Commit List
UPDATES:
TUESDAY
11:49 a.m.: I just got off the phone with @M. Clare, who wanted me to pass along some tidbits from a conversation this morning with a source at South Oak Cliff.
The coaching staff at South Oak Cliff thinks Steven Parker will pick Texas Tech, but there's a possibility that Parker decides to hold off until February to make a decision.
Parker, according to the source, enjoyed his visit to the South Plains and liked the program's new coaching staff.
There are apparently family dynamics in play that keep TCU (i.e. staying close to his family) in consideration. Kansas and Colorado are also expressing strong interest and pushing Parker to sign late. From what the source told Matt, Parker's mom is telling Parker to follow his heart.
12:33 p.m.: Texas Tech will end up not offering Culver City ATH Dominic Tatum, who took an official visit this past weekend. He tells me he may or may not sign early as was initially planned and his other 3 finalists are Nevada, Colorado State and BYU.
Per sources the coaching staff is looking for more ready made players, and are planning to host a big contingent of JUCO defensive backs in January.
1:20 pm.: I just spoke with South Oak Cliff DE Steven Parker and he is now planning to sign in February. He felt rushed to make a decision, and while he had great things to say about the new Texas Tech coaching staff, he wants to take his time. I will post more details from our conversation later, but the same storylines hold true - Tech vs. TCU, close to home vs. back home, plus now the element of a crazy January with schools like Kansas and Colorado - among others - jumping into the mix for Parker's LOI.
2019 Commit List
UPDATES:
12:19 p.m.: Sources indicate that none of the former assistants are being retained on Matt Wells' staff. We are not certain what that means for support staff at the moment, but we do not expect any of the former assistants to remain on staff.
12:22 p.m.: New head coach Matt Wells has followed his first prospect on Twitter, and it is a prospect who decommitted last night - North Shore DB Keeyon Stewart.
12:35 p.m.: Late yesterday evening, Mesquite head coach Jeff Fleener took to Twitter and provided an unsolicited sales pitch for Coach Wells and his staff - see below.
We had a chance to speak with Fleener earlier this morning and he offered these comments on Wells...
"They will be phenomenal recruiters. They are very well respected by Texas High School Football coaches and, more importantly, they are guys that will always take the time to talk ball with you, return texts or calls the same day.
"I have seen them in the room talking to recruits and they were very impressive as they sold their school and football opportunities to kids.
"Also, I don't think people understand the job they have done at Utah State when you consider the number of LDS kids they recruit that go on missions and may or may not come back to play. He helped build that program for years before becoming the head coach and had talented coordinators like Todd Orlando way before he joined Herman at Houston and then Texas.
"They know what it takes to win, and I believe their offense and Yost know how to use Texas Tech's current team to win."
1:17 p.m.: A few comments from current commits on the Wells hire...
"I have heard good things about him and I'm excited to meet him."
"My high school coaches was saying he is a great guy and that's who I wanted for the head coach because I heard good things about him."
"I'm really excited about him. He won where he was at and I know it's going to roll over to Texas Tech with the type of players he has coming in and already has at Tech."
"Congrats to Coach Wells! I'm willing to meet him soon, he looks like he knows what he's doing."
2:12 p.m.: Three-star CB Alex Hogan has announced his decommitment from Texas Tech. That makes four decommitments, joining QB Maverick McIvor, CB Keeyon Stewart and DL Steven Parker.
2:30 p.m.: Sources tell us that Wells and his staff intend to spend the next two days meeting with the current players, hosting workouts and team lunches/dinners to establish relationships. From there, the coaches plan on hitting the road to recruit and conduct in-home visits with the current commitments and any new targets for the 2019 class.
4:48 p.m.: We confirmed with a Texas Tech official that Wells, Yost and Patterson are now able to reach out to prospects.
MONDAY
9:57 a.m.: Matt communicated with former Texas Tech commit Keeyon Stewart this morning. The three-star prospect said that he's spoken with Keith Patteron and expects to speak with Matt Wells soon.
11:11 p.m.: Coaches at South Oak Cliff, home of four-star DE Steven Parker, tell me that Coach Wells and Coach Patterson (DC) are coming to visit the school this week. The coaches have also mentioned an official visit for the following weekend.
TUESDAY
7:51 a.m.: Here's a link to @B. Golan's look at how three other Power Five programs handled their 'bridge' classes last year.
10:11 a.m.: New running backs coach DeAndre Smith is scheduled to speak with Plano RB and Texas Tech legacy at Kyron Cumby today. The three-star prospect is currently committed to Illinois, has already unofficially visited Texas Tech this fall and held an offer from Smith while he was coaching at Utah State.
10:18 a.m.: New offensive line coach Steve Farmer has reached out to Dulles OT Isaiah Hoofkin. The two have mostly started a dialouge and Farmer mentioned that Tech remains interested, but it is something to monitor once the coaches hit the road. The three-star prospect has already officially visited Baylor and has plans to visit both Minnesota and Texas in the coming weeks.
10:37 a.m.: Sources are telling me that DE Nelson Mbanasor is meeting with new Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells today. Mbanasor had announced his intention to transfer last month, but now he is not a lock to leave Lubbock with the coaching change.
11:16 a.m. Here's a link to @M. Clare's position-by-position look at recruits Wells and his staff could target.
11:22 a.m. New OL coach Steve Farmer is now following OT Taylor Miterko, a current Oklahoma State commitment and a prospect that has unofficially visited Lubbock twice this season.
1:08 p.m. Sources are telling us that OL commit Trevor Roberson took a visit to Missouri this weekend.
1:09 p.m. New DC Keith Patterson has followed 2 more commits on Twitter, safety Brandon Joseph and DE Gilbert Ibeneme
1:23 p.m.: I spoke to the coaches at SOC today and confirmed that both head coach Matt Wells and assistant coach Luke Wells spoke with four-star DE Steven Parker today. They are going to visit him in person this Thursday.
1:42 p.m.: College Station defensive back commit Brandon Joseph says he’s been talking to DC Keith Patterson and that coach Patterson is coming by for an in-home visit on Friday.
4:11 p.m.: Texas Tech has extended an offer to three-star JUCO TE Travis Koontz.
6:30 p.m.: Talked with Plano RB and Texas Tech legacy Kyron Cumby this evening, and the three-star prospect is expecting a visit from running backs coach DeAndre Smith tomorrow. Smith is also scheduled to meet with Cumby's mother tomorrow. Cumby mentioned that Smith called him the program's "No. 1 target at RB" when they spoke.
7:34 p.m. Matt Wells has followed his second Texas Tech target on Twitter, this time Odessa Permian offensive tackle Landon Peterson. Per a source in the Rivals network, Peterson actually verbally committed to Texas Tech last month. Whether coach Wells and staff can keep him on board is to be determined, but good sign there.
7:44 p.m.: Sachse LB commit Bryce Robinson talked with Coach Luke Wells earlier today and is expecting a visit from the new Texas Tech assistant tomorrow. He also plans on taking an official visit to Lubbock next weekend.
7:46 p.m.: Arlington WR commit Trey Cleveland talked with Coach Jovon Bouknight, the new wide receivers coach, earlier today. Bouknight is going to visit with Cleveland tomorrow and the longtime Tech commitment is going to officially visit Lubbock next weekend.
8:05 p.m.: Eisenhower LB commit Tyrique Matthews talked with Coach Julius Brown and Coach Keith Patterson earlier today. The coaches are coming down to Houston to meet with him tomorrow.
8:57 p.m.: Wellington OT Trevor Roberson tells me the coaches are going to visit him tomorrow.
WEDNESDAY
7:00 a.m.: DeSoto WR commitment La’Vontae Shenault has been talking with new head coach Matt Wells, OC David Yost and IWR/TE coach Luke Wels this week. They are coming to visit him in DFW this week.
8:10 a.m.: What makes Texas Tech's 2019 class under Matt Wells a success? @M. Clare and I took a stab at setting the bar. LINK
8:46 a.m.: @M. Clare exchanged messages this morning with a contact at Pearland High School who said that Patterson has spoken with four-star Texas Tech commit Gilbert Ibeneme. The source said that "the conversation went well."
9:09 a.m.: Breaking down the 16 Texas prospects in the 2019 class that Matt Wells offered at Utah State. LINK
9:13 a.m.: @B. Golan exchanged messages with Culver City (CA) athlete Dominic Tatum who confirmed he has been in contact with defensive backs coach Juice Brown and that Brown wants to get him to Tech. Tatum, who is committed to Nevada, recently picked up an offer from Utah State in early November.
10:30 a.m.: This morning defensive backs coach Julius “Juice” Brown went to Houston Lamar HS and visited with CB Alex Hogan. Sources tell us that meeting went very well. Brown is also going to North Shore HS today to meet with CB Keeyon Stewart and 2019 commit DL Tony Bradford Jr.
6:03 p.m.: I exchanged a few messaged with North Shore 2020 linebacker Corey Flagg Jr. who said “I had a great coversation with coach Wells!!!”. Good news for one of the top linebackers in the state for 2020.
6:55 p.m.: We got word from a source that Trevor Roberson has decommitted or will be decommitting - not sure if he's notified anyone from Texas Tech about this yet. Chad Morris is expected to visit him in person tomorrow.
7:32 p.m.: I spoke with North Shore DE commit Tony Bradford Jr. this evening and the new Texas Tech coaches visited him at the school today. He said everything went well and he is "staying with Tech".
9:02 p.m.: Former (and future?) Texas Tech commit Keeyon Stewart sent this tweet out a few minutes ago following an in-home visit with Wells.
10:24 p.m.: Recent offer, Ventura C.C. (Calif) TE Travis Koontz, tells me that Coach Luke Wells is coming to meet with him first thing tomorrow morning and he will be taking an official visit to Lubbock next weekend. The 6-foot-5, 253-pound prospect is also taking a mid-week visit to TCU next week. He graduates from Ventura C.C. this May.
THURSDAY
7:50 a.m.: Texas Tech outside receivers coach Jovon Bouknight stopped by Midlothian Heritage yesterday, presumably to see three-star WR Langston Anderson and three-star 2020 WR Jay Wilkerson. Anderson held an offer from the previous Red Raider staff and officially visited Lubbock in November.
10:15 a.m.: The new staff isn't giving up on Temple CB and recent decommit Markel Reed, per Reed he is having an in-home visit today with defensive backs coach Julius "Juice" Brown. More as we know it.
11:31 a.m.: Per sources, running backs coach DeAndre Smith met with Skyline RB and Tech commit Velton Gardner at school yesterday. Gardner is also scheduled to take his official visit to Texas Tech next weekend.
11:43 a.m.: Per sources, we can confirm Odessa Permian OL Landon Peterson is committed to Tech, or at least was under the old coaching staff. Matt Wells met with Peterson in Odessa yesterday...could Peterson's commitment have been the reason one of Wells' three "Wreck Em" tweets over the last 2 days?
The same source also told us Odessa Permian athlete and Texas commit Peyton Powell may be rethinking things in his commitment...makes you wonder...
12:58 p.m.: Source tells us that OC David Yost had an in-home visit with San Angelo Central QB Maverick McIvor on Tuesday. Was told the McIvor family really loved Yost. McIvor is still currently scheduled to visit USC this weekend and UCLA is pushing hard for a visit as well.
1:00 p.m.: Per sources DC Keith Patterson was in Kansas yesterday looking at JUCO’s, and is in the Houston area today.
1:29 p.m.: Per sources coach Wells and RB coach DeAndre Smith were at South Oak Cliff today and met with 4-star DE Steven Parker. The coaching staff wants Parker to take his official visit to Tech next Friday. South Oak Cliff's recruiting coordinator just tweeted the following...
4:28 p.m.: Texas Tech has extended an offer to JUCO DB Brion Murray from Coffeyville. Patterson was in Kansas yesterday, and it's reasonable to assume he met with Murphy while he was there.
7:17 p.m.: Colleyville C.C. corner and recent offer Brion Murray tells me he will take his official visit to Texas Tech next weekend, December 14th through the 16th.
FRIDAY
7:39 a.m.: Here's an update from @B. Golan on new JUCO DB offer Brion Murray.
3:29 p.m.: Texas Tech had a coach at North Mesquite today to look at Jawuan Clark.
https://twitter.com/NM_StallionFB/status/1071135412196966406
3:36 p.m.: Texas Tech OL coach Steve Farmer was at North Forney today.
https://twitter.com/CoachJacksonTPW/status/1071146204753522689
3:50 p.m.: @B. Golan spoke with the North Forney head coach. He said Farmer wasn't there to check on any specific player.
SATURDAY
12:47 p.m.: @M. Clare exchanged messages with San Angelo Central offensive coordinator Kevin Crane, who said that Maverick McIvor canceled his scheduled official visit to USC and will visit Texas Tech next weekend.
1:21 p.m.: Three-star DB Brandon Joseph has decommitted from the Red Raiders.
SUNDAY
3:58 p.m.: @C. Level spoke to a source in the Amarillo-area earlier today about three-star offensive lineman Trevor Roberson. The bottom line is that the 6-foot-11, 345-pound prospect is pretty much 50-50 now between Texas Tech and Arkansas. Last week, everything was pointing toward the Razorbacks in a big way - which led to our report to expect a decommitment - but Roberson has had a good conversation with Wells and now the Red Raiders are back in it. Roberson is expected to sit down with his family in the next 24-48 hours and decide something from there. He is still set on during the Early Signing Period.
MONDAY
11:09 a.m.: Per sources, members of the Tech coaching staff were at Shadow Creek HS in Pearland this morning. One of Tech's uncommitted OL offers Cam'Ron Johnson is at Shadow Creek, and we will reach out to Cam'Ron to get the latest.
11:25 a.m.: Three-star DB Alex Hogan has recommitted to Texas Tech.
https://twitter.com/fvmousalo/status/1072177922641936384
5:06 p.m.: Three-star OL Landon Peterson is a Red Raider. He is the first previously uncommitted prospect to commit to Matt Wells.
https://twitter.com/petersonlandon5/status/1072264719849930758
5:11 p.m.: @M. Clare exchanged messages with four-star DL Steven Parker, who confirmed that he will be visiting Texas Tech this weekend.
"I am going to visit Friday and they are coming to see me Wednesday."
WEDNESDAY
8:32 a.m.: Here's a quick recap of the big ticket items from Tuesday.
Four-star WR Le'Vontae Shenault announced on Twitter that he was decommitting.
Three-star WR Trey Cleveland reconfirmed his commitment on Twitter and posted a photo from his in-home visit with Javon Bouknight and Matt Wells.
Texas Tech inside receivers coach Luke Wells was in the Metroplex yesterday and stopped by Carrolton Newman Smith HS, per head coach Paul Ressa.
5:26 p.m.: Three-star offensive lineman Trevor Roberson announced on Twitter that he will remain committed to Texas Tech.
THURSDAY
9:42 a.m.: Maverick McIvor announced on Twitter that he has recommitted to Texas Tech.
10:54 a.m.: Matt Wells attended the THSCA Board Meeting this morning in San Marcos.
FRIDAY
10:39 a.m.: Texas Tech defensive coordinator Keith Patterson spent the majority of the day with former longtime commitment and South Oak Cliff four-star defensive end Steven Parker, even went to his basketball practice and had dinner with his family last night.
Per our source, the coaching staff feels really good about him recommitting and signing with the Red Raiders.
SUNDAY
2:08 P.M.: Official Visit Reaction from Trevor Roberson
On what he did during the visit:
"Really once again it was just taking a tour of everything. I talked to the academic advisers a lot more this time, got to know more about them a little bit. I actually got to see the apartments for the first time. I have never seen them and they are absolutely gorgeous so I'm excited about that. I just kind of wanted to check everything off the list."
On sitting down with coaches:
"I did. I got to sit down with coach (Matt) Wells and coach (Steve) Farmer once again; great guys, I absolutely love them so I'm excited to play for them."
Roberson said he talked with Maverick McIvor, Landon Peterson, Simon Gonzalez and Travis Koontz while he visited. He also confirmed he will sign on the 19th at Wellington and move in January 13th. Said Gonzalez might be his roommate.
2:27 P.M.: Official Visit Reaction from Tyrique Matthews
On meeting with the coaches during his visit:
"It's good to go see it again because I've forgotten about some things like the academics and how important they are. I liked just getting to meet the new coaches more and get a good and better feeling for them was something important this weekend because I wanted to see who is going to be my new coach. That was really it for this weekend. I don't have a problem with the coaches and things like that. They trust me and I trust them."
Matthews said he sat down with Wells, Keith Patterson, Julius Brown and he talked with David Yost today.
On meeting with his fellow commits:
"I got see (Bryce) Robinson, (Trey) Cleveland, all of those guys. I feel like when we all get to Tech we'll get along well."
On what stuck out about this visit:
"I would say coach Wells being more interactive with the parents. My mom liked that and she said he sat down with all the parents and had conversations with them. Coach Kingsbury really didn't do that."
Matthews said he plans to sign early on the 19th, but graduate in June.
7:00 P.M.: Official Visit Reaction from Trey Cleveland
Overall reaction to the visit:
"The visit was lit. I spent a lot of time with literally all the coaches. The love was great, we had some awesome conversations and ate some great food throughout the whole visit but we had a blast going to the Main Event and taking pictures. I really enjoyed myself down there with my new family and friends."
Thoughts on coach Wells:
"Coach Wells is a great man. My family loves him, I love him and he's an awesome person like all the other guys on the coaching staff."
His host was Colt Garrett and he will sign on the 19th.
7:22 P.M.: Official Visit Reaction from Maverick McIvor
On what he did during his official:
"We got together with the staff of course and all the players that came in, ate, and went bowling everything you do on a recruiting trip. I talked with coach (David) Yost so that was pretty cool and I feel like we got a lot closer this weekend. It was good to hang out with the guys I'm going to be playing with for the next few years."
On what stuck out more on this visit:
"I think having the players and the coaches there together actually really made a difference and it really hit me like wow I'm about to go to college and everything."
He said his host was Colt Garrett and he will sign on Wednesday, but graduate in the spring.
7:50 P.M.: Official Visit Reaction from Bryce Robinson
On what he did during his official:
"We arrived on Friday, and the players stayed in one hotel and the parents stayed in another hotel. So the first night we were just hanging out with each other, getting to know one another a little better. I spent a lot of time with Coach (Keith) Patterson, the new defensive coordinator. He had already come by the house for an in-home visit with me and my parents, so we were able to spend more time talking about football and the scheme they run.
"It seems weird, but I really like the new scheme a lot more and Coach Patterson stressed how we are going to dictate what the offense can or cannot do on third downs, really force the issue. I liked it a lot, between him and Coach (Matt) Wells, I'm really excited for all of the changes they are bringing to the program - from the overall philosophy they have to the strength and conditioning program."
On what stuck out more on this visit:
"Nothing much really stuck out, because I had been to Lubbock a few times already. We did all go to Main Event on Saturday, and that is when things got competitive between all of the players and the coaches. We went bowling and played air hockey, stuff like that."
On the uncommitted prospects in town:
"Well, on defense, we were just staying in Steven's (Parker) ear about rejoining our class and how we could do big things at Texas Tech."
Robinson was hosted by Madison Akamnonu and plans on signing with Tech this Wednesday.
MONDAY
2:30 P.M.: Official visit reaction from ATH Velton Gardner
On the official visit:
"It was my first time to visit Lubbock and I liked it," Gardner said. "I mostly spent time with the running backs coach DeAndre Smith. He has been by the school to visit me a few times and we are building a relationship.
"They still see me coming in as a running back and we talked more about their offense, the scheme and how they would use me. The coaches believe that I could become a really good running back in their system."
On what stuck out about the visit:
"Everything was new to me, but getting to meet some of the players and spend time with the coaches was probably the best part," Gardner said. "I got to take a tour of the campus, and our hosts showed us around the city of Lubbock too."
Status with Tech, signing day plans:
"I'm committed, but I will be waiting until February to sign my letter of intent and I'm just weighing my options. Right now, Texas Tech and Houston are the only schools that I'm talking with. I have had a chance to get to know the new coaching staff, but want to take my time and make sure that I'm making the right decision."
*caveat/my thoughts - Gardner was not thrilled to talk on the phone, I had to go through his coaches at Skyline just to get him on the phone. I had to pull these quotes out of him, most of his initial answers were "uh huh" and "yeah", so I wouldn't put too much stock into the situation.
12:22 p.m.: New head coach Matt Wells has followed his first prospect on Twitter, and it is a prospect who decommitted last night - North Shore DB Keeyon Stewart.
12:35 p.m.: Late yesterday evening, Mesquite head coach Jeff Fleener took to Twitter and provided an unsolicited sales pitch for Coach Wells and his staff - see below.
We had a chance to speak with Fleener earlier this morning and he offered these comments on Wells...
"They will be phenomenal recruiters. They are very well respected by Texas High School Football coaches and, more importantly, they are guys that will always take the time to talk ball with you, return texts or calls the same day.
"I have seen them in the room talking to recruits and they were very impressive as they sold their school and football opportunities to kids.
"Also, I don't think people understand the job they have done at Utah State when you consider the number of LDS kids they recruit that go on missions and may or may not come back to play. He helped build that program for years before becoming the head coach and had talented coordinators like Todd Orlando way before he joined Herman at Houston and then Texas.
"They know what it takes to win, and I believe their offense and Yost know how to use Texas Tech's current team to win."
1:17 p.m.: A few comments from current commits on the Wells hire...
"I have heard good things about him and I'm excited to meet him."
"My high school coaches was saying he is a great guy and that's who I wanted for the head coach because I heard good things about him."
"I'm really excited about him. He won where he was at and I know it's going to roll over to Texas Tech with the type of players he has coming in and already has at Tech."
"Congrats to Coach Wells! I'm willing to meet him soon, he looks like he knows what he's doing."
2:12 p.m.: Three-star CB Alex Hogan has announced his decommitment from Texas Tech. That makes four decommitments, joining QB Maverick McIvor, CB Keeyon Stewart and DL Steven Parker.
2:30 p.m.: Sources tell us that Wells and his staff intend to spend the next two days meeting with the current players, hosting workouts and team lunches/dinners to establish relationships. From there, the coaches plan on hitting the road to recruit and conduct in-home visits with the current commitments and any new targets for the 2019 class.
4:48 p.m.: We confirmed with a Texas Tech official that Wells, Yost and Patterson are now able to reach out to prospects.
MONDAY
9:57 a.m.: Matt communicated with former Texas Tech commit Keeyon Stewart this morning. The three-star prospect said that he's spoken with Keith Patteron and expects to speak with Matt Wells soon.
11:11 p.m.: Coaches at South Oak Cliff, home of four-star DE Steven Parker, tell me that Coach Wells and Coach Patterson (DC) are coming to visit the school this week. The coaches have also mentioned an official visit for the following weekend.
TUESDAY
7:51 a.m.: Here's a link to @B. Golan's look at how three other Power Five programs handled their 'bridge' classes last year.
10:11 a.m.: New running backs coach DeAndre Smith is scheduled to speak with Plano RB and Texas Tech legacy at Kyron Cumby today. The three-star prospect is currently committed to Illinois, has already unofficially visited Texas Tech this fall and held an offer from Smith while he was coaching at Utah State.
10:18 a.m.: New offensive line coach Steve Farmer has reached out to Dulles OT Isaiah Hoofkin. The two have mostly started a dialouge and Farmer mentioned that Tech remains interested, but it is something to monitor once the coaches hit the road. The three-star prospect has already officially visited Baylor and has plans to visit both Minnesota and Texas in the coming weeks.
10:37 a.m.: Sources are telling me that DE Nelson Mbanasor is meeting with new Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells today. Mbanasor had announced his intention to transfer last month, but now he is not a lock to leave Lubbock with the coaching change.
11:16 a.m. Here's a link to @M. Clare's position-by-position look at recruits Wells and his staff could target.
11:22 a.m. New OL coach Steve Farmer is now following OT Taylor Miterko, a current Oklahoma State commitment and a prospect that has unofficially visited Lubbock twice this season.
1:08 p.m. Sources are telling us that OL commit Trevor Roberson took a visit to Missouri this weekend.
1:09 p.m. New DC Keith Patterson has followed 2 more commits on Twitter, safety Brandon Joseph and DE Gilbert Ibeneme
1:23 p.m.: I spoke to the coaches at SOC today and confirmed that both head coach Matt Wells and assistant coach Luke Wells spoke with four-star DE Steven Parker today. They are going to visit him in person this Thursday.
1:42 p.m.: College Station defensive back commit Brandon Joseph says he’s been talking to DC Keith Patterson and that coach Patterson is coming by for an in-home visit on Friday.
4:11 p.m.: Texas Tech has extended an offer to three-star JUCO TE Travis Koontz.
6:30 p.m.: Talked with Plano RB and Texas Tech legacy Kyron Cumby this evening, and the three-star prospect is expecting a visit from running backs coach DeAndre Smith tomorrow. Smith is also scheduled to meet with Cumby's mother tomorrow. Cumby mentioned that Smith called him the program's "No. 1 target at RB" when they spoke.
7:34 p.m. Matt Wells has followed his second Texas Tech target on Twitter, this time Odessa Permian offensive tackle Landon Peterson. Per a source in the Rivals network, Peterson actually verbally committed to Texas Tech last month. Whether coach Wells and staff can keep him on board is to be determined, but good sign there.
7:44 p.m.: Sachse LB commit Bryce Robinson talked with Coach Luke Wells earlier today and is expecting a visit from the new Texas Tech assistant tomorrow. He also plans on taking an official visit to Lubbock next weekend.
7:46 p.m.: Arlington WR commit Trey Cleveland talked with Coach Jovon Bouknight, the new wide receivers coach, earlier today. Bouknight is going to visit with Cleveland tomorrow and the longtime Tech commitment is going to officially visit Lubbock next weekend.
8:05 p.m.: Eisenhower LB commit Tyrique Matthews talked with Coach Julius Brown and Coach Keith Patterson earlier today. The coaches are coming down to Houston to meet with him tomorrow.
8:57 p.m.: Wellington OT Trevor Roberson tells me the coaches are going to visit him tomorrow.
WEDNESDAY
7:00 a.m.: DeSoto WR commitment La’Vontae Shenault has been talking with new head coach Matt Wells, OC David Yost and IWR/TE coach Luke Wels this week. They are coming to visit him in DFW this week.
8:10 a.m.: What makes Texas Tech's 2019 class under Matt Wells a success? @M. Clare and I took a stab at setting the bar. LINK
8:46 a.m.: @M. Clare exchanged messages this morning with a contact at Pearland High School who said that Patterson has spoken with four-star Texas Tech commit Gilbert Ibeneme. The source said that "the conversation went well."
9:09 a.m.: Breaking down the 16 Texas prospects in the 2019 class that Matt Wells offered at Utah State. LINK
9:13 a.m.: @B. Golan exchanged messages with Culver City (CA) athlete Dominic Tatum who confirmed he has been in contact with defensive backs coach Juice Brown and that Brown wants to get him to Tech. Tatum, who is committed to Nevada, recently picked up an offer from Utah State in early November.
10:30 a.m.: This morning defensive backs coach Julius “Juice” Brown went to Houston Lamar HS and visited with CB Alex Hogan. Sources tell us that meeting went very well. Brown is also going to North Shore HS today to meet with CB Keeyon Stewart and 2019 commit DL Tony Bradford Jr.
6:03 p.m.: I exchanged a few messaged with North Shore 2020 linebacker Corey Flagg Jr. who said “I had a great coversation with coach Wells!!!”. Good news for one of the top linebackers in the state for 2020.
6:55 p.m.: We got word from a source that Trevor Roberson has decommitted or will be decommitting - not sure if he's notified anyone from Texas Tech about this yet. Chad Morris is expected to visit him in person tomorrow.
7:32 p.m.: I spoke with North Shore DE commit Tony Bradford Jr. this evening and the new Texas Tech coaches visited him at the school today. He said everything went well and he is "staying with Tech".
9:02 p.m.: Former (and future?) Texas Tech commit Keeyon Stewart sent this tweet out a few minutes ago following an in-home visit with Wells.
10:24 p.m.: Recent offer, Ventura C.C. (Calif) TE Travis Koontz, tells me that Coach Luke Wells is coming to meet with him first thing tomorrow morning and he will be taking an official visit to Lubbock next weekend. The 6-foot-5, 253-pound prospect is also taking a mid-week visit to TCU next week. He graduates from Ventura C.C. this May.
THURSDAY
7:50 a.m.: Texas Tech outside receivers coach Jovon Bouknight stopped by Midlothian Heritage yesterday, presumably to see three-star WR Langston Anderson and three-star 2020 WR Jay Wilkerson. Anderson held an offer from the previous Red Raider staff and officially visited Lubbock in November.
10:15 a.m.: The new staff isn't giving up on Temple CB and recent decommit Markel Reed, per Reed he is having an in-home visit today with defensive backs coach Julius "Juice" Brown. More as we know it.
11:31 a.m.: Per sources, running backs coach DeAndre Smith met with Skyline RB and Tech commit Velton Gardner at school yesterday. Gardner is also scheduled to take his official visit to Texas Tech next weekend.
11:43 a.m.: Per sources, we can confirm Odessa Permian OL Landon Peterson is committed to Tech, or at least was under the old coaching staff. Matt Wells met with Peterson in Odessa yesterday...could Peterson's commitment have been the reason one of Wells' three "Wreck Em" tweets over the last 2 days?
The same source also told us Odessa Permian athlete and Texas commit Peyton Powell may be rethinking things in his commitment...makes you wonder...
12:58 p.m.: Source tells us that OC David Yost had an in-home visit with San Angelo Central QB Maverick McIvor on Tuesday. Was told the McIvor family really loved Yost. McIvor is still currently scheduled to visit USC this weekend and UCLA is pushing hard for a visit as well.
1:00 p.m.: Per sources DC Keith Patterson was in Kansas yesterday looking at JUCO’s, and is in the Houston area today.
1:29 p.m.: Per sources coach Wells and RB coach DeAndre Smith were at South Oak Cliff today and met with 4-star DE Steven Parker. The coaching staff wants Parker to take his official visit to Tech next Friday. South Oak Cliff's recruiting coordinator just tweeted the following...
4:28 p.m.: Texas Tech has extended an offer to JUCO DB Brion Murray from Coffeyville. Patterson was in Kansas yesterday, and it's reasonable to assume he met with Murphy while he was there.
7:17 p.m.: Colleyville C.C. corner and recent offer Brion Murray tells me he will take his official visit to Texas Tech next weekend, December 14th through the 16th.
FRIDAY
7:39 a.m.: Here's an update from @B. Golan on new JUCO DB offer Brion Murray.
3:29 p.m.: Texas Tech had a coach at North Mesquite today to look at Jawuan Clark.
https://twitter.com/NM_StallionFB/status/1071135412196966406
3:36 p.m.: Texas Tech OL coach Steve Farmer was at North Forney today.
https://twitter.com/CoachJacksonTPW/status/1071146204753522689
3:50 p.m.: @B. Golan spoke with the North Forney head coach. He said Farmer wasn't there to check on any specific player.
SATURDAY
12:47 p.m.: @M. Clare exchanged messages with San Angelo Central offensive coordinator Kevin Crane, who said that Maverick McIvor canceled his scheduled official visit to USC and will visit Texas Tech next weekend.
1:21 p.m.: Three-star DB Brandon Joseph has decommitted from the Red Raiders.
SUNDAY
3:58 p.m.: @C. Level spoke to a source in the Amarillo-area earlier today about three-star offensive lineman Trevor Roberson. The bottom line is that the 6-foot-11, 345-pound prospect is pretty much 50-50 now between Texas Tech and Arkansas. Last week, everything was pointing toward the Razorbacks in a big way - which led to our report to expect a decommitment - but Roberson has had a good conversation with Wells and now the Red Raiders are back in it. Roberson is expected to sit down with his family in the next 24-48 hours and decide something from there. He is still set on during the Early Signing Period.
MONDAY
11:09 a.m.: Per sources, members of the Tech coaching staff were at Shadow Creek HS in Pearland this morning. One of Tech's uncommitted OL offers Cam'Ron Johnson is at Shadow Creek, and we will reach out to Cam'Ron to get the latest.
11:25 a.m.: Three-star DB Alex Hogan has recommitted to Texas Tech.
https://twitter.com/fvmousalo/status/1072177922641936384
5:06 p.m.: Three-star OL Landon Peterson is a Red Raider. He is the first previously uncommitted prospect to commit to Matt Wells.
https://twitter.com/petersonlandon5/status/1072264719849930758
5:11 p.m.: @M. Clare exchanged messages with four-star DL Steven Parker, who confirmed that he will be visiting Texas Tech this weekend.
"I am going to visit Friday and they are coming to see me Wednesday."
WEDNESDAY
8:32 a.m.: Here's a quick recap of the big ticket items from Tuesday.
Four-star WR Le'Vontae Shenault announced on Twitter that he was decommitting.
Three-star WR Trey Cleveland reconfirmed his commitment on Twitter and posted a photo from his in-home visit with Javon Bouknight and Matt Wells.
Texas Tech inside receivers coach Luke Wells was in the Metroplex yesterday and stopped by Carrolton Newman Smith HS, per head coach Paul Ressa.
5:26 p.m.: Three-star offensive lineman Trevor Roberson announced on Twitter that he will remain committed to Texas Tech.
THURSDAY
9:42 a.m.: Maverick McIvor announced on Twitter that he has recommitted to Texas Tech.
10:54 a.m.: Matt Wells attended the THSCA Board Meeting this morning in San Marcos.
FRIDAY
10:39 a.m.: Texas Tech defensive coordinator Keith Patterson spent the majority of the day with former longtime commitment and South Oak Cliff four-star defensive end Steven Parker, even went to his basketball practice and had dinner with his family last night.
Per our source, the coaching staff feels really good about him recommitting and signing with the Red Raiders.
SUNDAY
2:08 P.M.: Official Visit Reaction from Trevor Roberson
On what he did during the visit:
"Really once again it was just taking a tour of everything. I talked to the academic advisers a lot more this time, got to know more about them a little bit. I actually got to see the apartments for the first time. I have never seen them and they are absolutely gorgeous so I'm excited about that. I just kind of wanted to check everything off the list."
On sitting down with coaches:
"I did. I got to sit down with coach (Matt) Wells and coach (Steve) Farmer once again; great guys, I absolutely love them so I'm excited to play for them."
Roberson said he talked with Maverick McIvor, Landon Peterson, Simon Gonzalez and Travis Koontz while he visited. He also confirmed he will sign on the 19th at Wellington and move in January 13th. Said Gonzalez might be his roommate.
2:27 P.M.: Official Visit Reaction from Tyrique Matthews
On meeting with the coaches during his visit:
"It's good to go see it again because I've forgotten about some things like the academics and how important they are. I liked just getting to meet the new coaches more and get a good and better feeling for them was something important this weekend because I wanted to see who is going to be my new coach. That was really it for this weekend. I don't have a problem with the coaches and things like that. They trust me and I trust them."
Matthews said he sat down with Wells, Keith Patterson, Julius Brown and he talked with David Yost today.
On meeting with his fellow commits:
"I got see (Bryce) Robinson, (Trey) Cleveland, all of those guys. I feel like when we all get to Tech we'll get along well."
On what stuck out about this visit:
"I would say coach Wells being more interactive with the parents. My mom liked that and she said he sat down with all the parents and had conversations with them. Coach Kingsbury really didn't do that."
Matthews said he plans to sign early on the 19th, but graduate in June.
7:00 P.M.: Official Visit Reaction from Trey Cleveland
Overall reaction to the visit:
"The visit was lit. I spent a lot of time with literally all the coaches. The love was great, we had some awesome conversations and ate some great food throughout the whole visit but we had a blast going to the Main Event and taking pictures. I really enjoyed myself down there with my new family and friends."
Thoughts on coach Wells:
"Coach Wells is a great man. My family loves him, I love him and he's an awesome person like all the other guys on the coaching staff."
His host was Colt Garrett and he will sign on the 19th.
7:22 P.M.: Official Visit Reaction from Maverick McIvor
On what he did during his official:
"We got together with the staff of course and all the players that came in, ate, and went bowling everything you do on a recruiting trip. I talked with coach (David) Yost so that was pretty cool and I feel like we got a lot closer this weekend. It was good to hang out with the guys I'm going to be playing with for the next few years."
On what stuck out more on this visit:
"I think having the players and the coaches there together actually really made a difference and it really hit me like wow I'm about to go to college and everything."
He said his host was Colt Garrett and he will sign on Wednesday, but graduate in the spring.
7:50 P.M.: Official Visit Reaction from Bryce Robinson
On what he did during his official:
"We arrived on Friday, and the players stayed in one hotel and the parents stayed in another hotel. So the first night we were just hanging out with each other, getting to know one another a little better. I spent a lot of time with Coach (Keith) Patterson, the new defensive coordinator. He had already come by the house for an in-home visit with me and my parents, so we were able to spend more time talking about football and the scheme they run.
"It seems weird, but I really like the new scheme a lot more and Coach Patterson stressed how we are going to dictate what the offense can or cannot do on third downs, really force the issue. I liked it a lot, between him and Coach (Matt) Wells, I'm really excited for all of the changes they are bringing to the program - from the overall philosophy they have to the strength and conditioning program."
On what stuck out more on this visit:
"Nothing much really stuck out, because I had been to Lubbock a few times already. We did all go to Main Event on Saturday, and that is when things got competitive between all of the players and the coaches. We went bowling and played air hockey, stuff like that."
On the uncommitted prospects in town:
"Well, on defense, we were just staying in Steven's (Parker) ear about rejoining our class and how we could do big things at Texas Tech."
Robinson was hosted by Madison Akamnonu and plans on signing with Tech this Wednesday.
MONDAY
2:30 P.M.: Official visit reaction from ATH Velton Gardner
On the official visit:
"It was my first time to visit Lubbock and I liked it," Gardner said. "I mostly spent time with the running backs coach DeAndre Smith. He has been by the school to visit me a few times and we are building a relationship.
"They still see me coming in as a running back and we talked more about their offense, the scheme and how they would use me. The coaches believe that I could become a really good running back in their system."
On what stuck out about the visit:
"Everything was new to me, but getting to meet some of the players and spend time with the coaches was probably the best part," Gardner said. "I got to take a tour of the campus, and our hosts showed us around the city of Lubbock too."
Status with Tech, signing day plans:
"I'm committed, but I will be waiting until February to sign my letter of intent and I'm just weighing my options. Right now, Texas Tech and Houston are the only schools that I'm talking with. I have had a chance to get to know the new coaching staff, but want to take my time and make sure that I'm making the right decision."
*caveat/my thoughts - Gardner was not thrilled to talk on the phone, I had to go through his coaches at Skyline just to get him on the phone. I had to pull these quotes out of him, most of his initial answers were "uh huh" and "yeah", so I wouldn't put too much stock into the situation.
TUESDAY
11:49 a.m.: I just got off the phone with @M. Clare, who wanted me to pass along some tidbits from a conversation this morning with a source at South Oak Cliff.
The coaching staff at South Oak Cliff thinks Steven Parker will pick Texas Tech, but there's a possibility that Parker decides to hold off until February to make a decision.
Parker, according to the source, enjoyed his visit to the South Plains and liked the program's new coaching staff.
There are apparently family dynamics in play that keep TCU (i.e. staying close to his family) in consideration. Kansas and Colorado are also expressing strong interest and pushing Parker to sign late. From what the source told Matt, Parker's mom is telling Parker to follow his heart.
12:33 p.m.: Texas Tech will end up not offering Culver City ATH Dominic Tatum, who took an official visit this past weekend. He tells me he may or may not sign early as was initially planned and his other 3 finalists are Nevada, Colorado State and BYU.
Per sources the coaching staff is looking for more ready made players, and are planning to host a big contingent of JUCO defensive backs in January.
1:20 pm.: I just spoke with South Oak Cliff DE Steven Parker and he is now planning to sign in February. He felt rushed to make a decision, and while he had great things to say about the new Texas Tech coaching staff, he wants to take his time. I will post more details from our conversation later, but the same storylines hold true - Tech vs. TCU, close to home vs. back home, plus now the element of a crazy January with schools like Kansas and Colorado - among others - jumping into the mix for Parker's LOI.
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