It’s Ya Boy LaBarre. Congrats to Mike. He’s big time now.
Back on the Market. There are two references this week about how Texas Tech is back in the offensive line market, the implication, presumption, or assumption, is that Emory Giddens may no longer have an offer from Texas Tech. RedRaiderSports’ Landon Wright writes that Texas Tech is in contact with Highland Park C Jack Sides (6-2/275).
Texas Tech also just offered Riverside JUCO OT Dwayne Wallace (6-5/320), and RedRaiderSports Drew Kohnle has a slew of options, including JUCO Kendall Calhoun from Lackawanna C.C., Rowdy Frederick, the Tulsa commit, Braden Kopp from Houson Christian and Johncarlo Valetin from Pennsylvania.
To put this succinctly, it appears that Texas Tech is looking for another offensive lineman.
Ward Receives Offensive Player of the Week. Via the Dallas Morning News, Texas Tech RB commit Da’Leon Ward ran 20 times for 253 yards with 4 touchdowns and caught a pass for 43 yards and a touchdown to earn the DMN Offensive Player of the Week. The other notable Texas Tech commit was Jett Duffey, who was 9 for 11 for 217 yards, 3 touchdowns and 118 yards on the ground with 2 more touchdowns.
Picone Ready. We posted Johnathan Picone’s mid-season highlights last week and now we get an update from RedRaiderSports’ Drew Kohnle, who will graduate early and enroll in December and can’t wait to get to Lubbock:
“I definitely feel like I am under the radar. It has been my dream to play college football since seventh grade. I am just extremely blessed that Texas Tech gave me the opportunity to really maximize my potential at a Power 5 conference school. Not only that, but just the faith that they have always had in me. I know I am going to make some plays and go out and really shock some people, and the Tech coaches know it too.”
Checking in on Rice Commit Ellis. Red Raider Sports’ Drew Kohnle writes that Texas Tech is checking in on D’Angelo Ellis (6-0/160), currently a Rice commit that may be interested in hearing from Texas Tech. Kevin Curtis evaluated Ellis recently and no offer has gone out just yet, it appears that the two parties are keeping in touch.
Ty Thomas Offered. Lubbock Cooper safety Ty Thomas (5-10/195), part of the 2017 class, was offered by Texas Tech on Tuesday:
https://twitter.com/ty_thomas20/status/659048622592397312
Thomas is the son of Bart Thomas, former Red Raider safety, and the nephew of Zach Thomas, former Red Raider linebacker. Thomas is currently committed to Washington State and committed back in September.
Miscellaneous. Via RedRaiderSports, Texas Tech commit Antoine Wesley-Cox hopes to make a visit to Lubbock this weekend . . .