Hear what recruits had to say about their visits this weekend. We will update this thread with more reactions as we get them.
On what he did during the official visit:
"They took us through the indoor facility, their locker room of course, we did the photoshoot and everything. They also talked to us about their education they offer us; what they do for incoming new freshmen, how they would be treated and how they will help us adjust to college and everything. They took us on a tour of the campus and that was pretty much it."
On visiting with Texas Tech coaches:
"Yes sir I did. I talked to the head coach (Kingsbury), the linebackers coach (Spavital), the defensive coordinator (Gibbs) and then I met some other coaches on the way too. I just got to know them a little bit; talked to them about football and everything and how I would fit into the defense. I like them a lot."
Overall thoughts on everything he saw:
"It was amazing. I really enjoyed my experience there."
On if Tech is high on his list after this visit:
"Yes sir. It is high on my consideration list."
On other upcoming official visits:
"For the rest of the summer, not that I know of right now."
-Rutledge
On what he did during his official:
"I got to sit down in front of the players and really get their opinions about how everything works, how they feel about the program and I just picked their brains and really got to talk to some of those guys and get to know them a little better."
"It really gave me an extra boost on Texas Tech because it's a great program and there's so many good things about it. It really gave me a good little boost so it's going to be a really good school for me."
On what he did differently on this visit than prior ones:
"Literally everything I did, I've already done once. Coming back again, it's really just nostalgic and it feels like home being three hours away. It's West Texas, the Panhandle, it feels like home."
On meeting with Brandon Jones again:
"I did. Me and Coach Jones have gotten pretty close and I always try to communicate with him. He showed me some of the things I can really work on. He told me things I can work on like my stance, getting off the ball, some of my foot movements as well."
On visiting with other coaches:
"I met with Kliff Kingsbury of course, Kevin Johns and Coach (Clay) McGuire as well. You see those guys on TV and people know these guys all around the world. I think about (with Kingsbury) I have the opportunity to be coached by him and it's always been in the back of my mind that this could be my future head coach and he's known worldwide."
On Texas Tech being his home:
"It is in the back of my mind right now because it's three hours from home and I've been going to those camps for like seven years straight since I was a scrawny little dude, so I can really see myself playing here."
-Rutledge
Hightower corner Isaiah Essissima was in town for an official visit this weekend and enjoyed his time in Lubbock.
"I had a lot of fun," Essissima said. "My Mom and Dad came with me this weekend. It was my first time visiting Texas Tech and I got to see the facilities, the class rooms, the student housing and just soaked it all in.
"It was my first official visit too. It was more of a big welcoming and the coaches made sure everything was okay and made sure we were straight the whole time. Compared to a normal visit, this weekend was a lot more fun."
The three-star corner spent most of his time around the secondary coaches, Coach Dewhurst and Coach Jennings.
"My host was Adrian (Frye), a defensive back from Eisenhower high school in Houston," Essissima said. "I got to watch tape with him, Coach Dewhurst and Coach Jennings. I got to meet several of the other players as well, but it is hard to remember everyone's name.
"Coach Jennings is all about his business when it comes to coverages and schemes. I really like that about him. Outside of football, the main message from the coaches was to think more about my passion and my purpose, because one day football will end."
Essissima and his family also met with the head coach during the visit.
"Yes, we met with Coach Kingsbury and ate with him this weekend. He spoke with my parents and I, basically thanked us for coming and continued telling us they want me to become a Red Raider."
Essissima mentioned that he spent a lot of time around the other defensive back visitors, especially Jonathan McGill.
-Clare
On what he did during the official visit:
"They took us through the indoor facility, their locker room of course, we did the photoshoot and everything. They also talked to us about their education they offer us; what they do for incoming new freshmen, how they would be treated and how they will help us adjust to college and everything. They took us on a tour of the campus and that was pretty much it."
On visiting with Texas Tech coaches:
"Yes sir I did. I talked to the head coach (Kingsbury), the linebackers coach (Spavital), the defensive coordinator (Gibbs) and then I met some other coaches on the way too. I just got to know them a little bit; talked to them about football and everything and how I would fit into the defense. I like them a lot."
Overall thoughts on everything he saw:
"It was amazing. I really enjoyed my experience there."
On if Tech is high on his list after this visit:
"Yes sir. It is high on my consideration list."
On other upcoming official visits:
"For the rest of the summer, not that I know of right now."
-Rutledge
On what he did during his official:
"I got to sit down in front of the players and really get their opinions about how everything works, how they feel about the program and I just picked their brains and really got to talk to some of those guys and get to know them a little better."
"It really gave me an extra boost on Texas Tech because it's a great program and there's so many good things about it. It really gave me a good little boost so it's going to be a really good school for me."
On what he did differently on this visit than prior ones:
"Literally everything I did, I've already done once. Coming back again, it's really just nostalgic and it feels like home being three hours away. It's West Texas, the Panhandle, it feels like home."
On meeting with Brandon Jones again:
"I did. Me and Coach Jones have gotten pretty close and I always try to communicate with him. He showed me some of the things I can really work on. He told me things I can work on like my stance, getting off the ball, some of my foot movements as well."
On visiting with other coaches:
"I met with Kliff Kingsbury of course, Kevin Johns and Coach (Clay) McGuire as well. You see those guys on TV and people know these guys all around the world. I think about (with Kingsbury) I have the opportunity to be coached by him and it's always been in the back of my mind that this could be my future head coach and he's known worldwide."
On Texas Tech being his home:
"It is in the back of my mind right now because it's three hours from home and I've been going to those camps for like seven years straight since I was a scrawny little dude, so I can really see myself playing here."
-Rutledge
Hightower corner Isaiah Essissima was in town for an official visit this weekend and enjoyed his time in Lubbock.
"I had a lot of fun," Essissima said. "My Mom and Dad came with me this weekend. It was my first time visiting Texas Tech and I got to see the facilities, the class rooms, the student housing and just soaked it all in.
"It was my first official visit too. It was more of a big welcoming and the coaches made sure everything was okay and made sure we were straight the whole time. Compared to a normal visit, this weekend was a lot more fun."
The three-star corner spent most of his time around the secondary coaches, Coach Dewhurst and Coach Jennings.
"My host was Adrian (Frye), a defensive back from Eisenhower high school in Houston," Essissima said. "I got to watch tape with him, Coach Dewhurst and Coach Jennings. I got to meet several of the other players as well, but it is hard to remember everyone's name.
"Coach Jennings is all about his business when it comes to coverages and schemes. I really like that about him. Outside of football, the main message from the coaches was to think more about my passion and my purpose, because one day football will end."
Essissima and his family also met with the head coach during the visit.
"Yes, we met with Coach Kingsbury and ate with him this weekend. He spoke with my parents and I, basically thanked us for coming and continued telling us they want me to become a Red Raider."
Essissima mentioned that he spent a lot of time around the other defensive back visitors, especially Jonathan McGill.
-Clare
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