Now that the dust has mostly settled, we can take a look at our recruiting class and transfer class results and see if there is anything to learn. At least for me, I feel like there are some points I can take from these results. First, below are the links to our final classes and Rivals rankings for each class and then a link that breaks down our transfers in and out in detail.
Recruiting class with current #23 ranking
Transfer class #5 ranking as of today per Rivals
Detailed breakout of the ins and outs of the transfer portal
Here are a few things I think I learned from this information and results:
1- If the transfer portal info is close to accurate, on paper Tech clearly upgraded their OL. It shows we had linemen ranked 442, 534, and 552 transfer out while we had linemen ranked 40 and 157 transfer in. Add in Rodriques as a 3 star JUCO signee coming in and it appears that overall we have a likely potential upgrade on the OL as a result of the portal and JUCO signings. This of course assumes all incoming players do arrive and stay in the program.
2-It appears we likely had a similar significant upgrade at WR with #58 and #299 coming in and #160 and #502 leaving at WR. Not to mention picking up #201 at TE. Again, assuming all players arrive and stay.
3- Javon Jackson appears to be a nice pickup at DB at #533 at a position of need. A couple of incoming true freshmen could be good enough to play next fall in the secondary according to Coach Maguire.
4-Overall, Rivals says Tech signed the #23 class and #5 transfer class in the country (as well as the best classes in the New Big 12 in both classes). Every one of these new incoming players fully understands that the New Big 12 will be without UT and OU and probably viewed as third behind the SEC and Big 10 by most media. So this tells me that realignment is not preventing Tech from getting commits from players who could play at most SEC and BIG 10 schools. In fact, we are getting several players who could play at ANY SEC or Big 10 school. That tells me Tech is viewed as an attractive destination for many players who on paper can go pretty much anywhere and realignment is not scaring them away.
5-Highly ranked classes do not insure a team that can compete for conference titles and the new college playoff system. However, trying to accomplish those goals without these kinds of players is almost impossible. So this is the first step in the process and it is encouraging that lots of highly talented players clearly believe that they can play in relevant meaningful games at Texas Tech and also can use Texas Tech as a path to get to the NFL. To me our defensive staff has proven they can take good players and get good results. Our staff on offense has yet to prove that in my view, but now has the talent coming in to see what they can do going forward. With all our injuries at QB and questionable talent levels at OL and WR, it has been hard for me to tell what potential the offense can reach with this staff. So, it will be interesting to see what happens going forward. I won't prejudge the results. As with everything, you always depend on players staying in the program and staying healthy.
6-All the above suggests to me that our recruiting team (Blanchard et al along with the coaches) is doing a great to fantastic recruiting job and our NIL program is allowing us to be fully competitive at the national level. We'll have to win and produce results in a reasonable time frame to keep that going, but we have the best opportunity in my lifetime to make it happen in the next 2-4 years now that we are on a more level playing field with everyone else in our conference. At least, that is may take on things and what I think I learned from these classes.
Recruiting class with current #23 ranking
Transfer class #5 ranking as of today per Rivals
Detailed breakout of the ins and outs of the transfer portal
Here are a few things I think I learned from this information and results:
1- If the transfer portal info is close to accurate, on paper Tech clearly upgraded their OL. It shows we had linemen ranked 442, 534, and 552 transfer out while we had linemen ranked 40 and 157 transfer in. Add in Rodriques as a 3 star JUCO signee coming in and it appears that overall we have a likely potential upgrade on the OL as a result of the portal and JUCO signings. This of course assumes all incoming players do arrive and stay in the program.
2-It appears we likely had a similar significant upgrade at WR with #58 and #299 coming in and #160 and #502 leaving at WR. Not to mention picking up #201 at TE. Again, assuming all players arrive and stay.
3- Javon Jackson appears to be a nice pickup at DB at #533 at a position of need. A couple of incoming true freshmen could be good enough to play next fall in the secondary according to Coach Maguire.
4-Overall, Rivals says Tech signed the #23 class and #5 transfer class in the country (as well as the best classes in the New Big 12 in both classes). Every one of these new incoming players fully understands that the New Big 12 will be without UT and OU and probably viewed as third behind the SEC and Big 10 by most media. So this tells me that realignment is not preventing Tech from getting commits from players who could play at most SEC and BIG 10 schools. In fact, we are getting several players who could play at ANY SEC or Big 10 school. That tells me Tech is viewed as an attractive destination for many players who on paper can go pretty much anywhere and realignment is not scaring them away.
5-Highly ranked classes do not insure a team that can compete for conference titles and the new college playoff system. However, trying to accomplish those goals without these kinds of players is almost impossible. So this is the first step in the process and it is encouraging that lots of highly talented players clearly believe that they can play in relevant meaningful games at Texas Tech and also can use Texas Tech as a path to get to the NFL. To me our defensive staff has proven they can take good players and get good results. Our staff on offense has yet to prove that in my view, but now has the talent coming in to see what they can do going forward. With all our injuries at QB and questionable talent levels at OL and WR, it has been hard for me to tell what potential the offense can reach with this staff. So, it will be interesting to see what happens going forward. I won't prejudge the results. As with everything, you always depend on players staying in the program and staying healthy.
6-All the above suggests to me that our recruiting team (Blanchard et al along with the coaches) is doing a great to fantastic recruiting job and our NIL program is allowing us to be fully competitive at the national level. We'll have to win and produce results in a reasonable time frame to keep that going, but we have the best opportunity in my lifetime to make it happen in the next 2-4 years now that we are on a more level playing field with everyone else in our conference. At least, that is may take on things and what I think I learned from these classes.
