In what should be a true need, Texas Tech secured the commitment of JUCO offensive lineman Paul Stawarz, an unrated JUCO prospect from Illinois. We’ve got video and a scouting report after the jump.
| OFFENSIVE LINE | |
|---|---|
| PAUL STAWARZ | TACKLE |
| HT/WT: 6-5/295 FORTY: 5.30 JUCO: College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn, IL) VIDEO: Hudl RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals N/R | Scout N/R | ESPN N/A | 24/7 Sports N/R CUMULATIVE RANKING: N/R PROFILE DATE: March 31, 2015 OFFERS: Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Eastern Illinois, Murray State, Texas Tech |
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The Player Speaks: Via Wreck’Em 24/7’s Daniel Paulling, Paul Stawarz said that he loved Texas Tech and didn’t want to leave Lubbock:
“I loved it so much I didn’t want to come home,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for me. I’m not the highest-recruited player there is, but I’m ready to work. He’s excited for me. It’s a great opportunity for me to compete for a spot and become a really good player. (Offensive line coach Lee Hays) is excited.”
RELATED: 2015 OL Paul Stawarz Commits to Texas Tech
Scouting Report: Coming out of high school, Pauling stated that Stawarz was set to commit to Northern Illinois, but ended up not qualifying and headed off to College of DuPage for a year of JUCO ball. Stawarz obviously finished his JUCO requirements and he’ll be in Lubbock this summer as part of the 2015 class.
Given the depth issues that we’ve detailed at offensive line, this may be more of a necessity than you might have thought going into the season. It generally stemmed from the two JUCO offensive linemen recruited in the 2014 class, Dominique Robertson and Shaquille Davis, both players having not qualified or just were kicked off the team.
Stawarz played a lot of left tackle in his film, but he’s expected to compete for that right tackle and/or right guard spot. This makes a lot of sense and given Stawarz’s size, he can truly be a swing player to multiple positions along the line, from guard to tackle. As a guard, I do think he maybe lacks some quickness and agility, but generally speaking, I think he’s got this down pretty good. The key for the best offensive linemen is that they have good agility for their size and I think Stawarz has that. I honestly see Stawarz as being a guy that can swing to tackle or guard depending on the need. I think Stawarz is more tackle than guard, but he could play both. I’m not as sold on his explosion as I am with his pass protection.
The biggest thing that you might be concerned about is the fact that Stawarz isn’t rated and that’s usually mean that this is a terrible thing. I don’t think that Stawarz is a 1-star or 2-star player. He’s better than that. Maybe he’s not rated because technically, he’s not scheduled to be rated until next year as he’s just a freshman. Yes, 4 years to play 3 seasons.