It’s been a while since we’ve done this, so here’s how it’s going down. I’ll review a few recruits Texas Tech is looking at, give an update about what recruits are doing and give an update about where the coaches are. Let’s start with a review of John Stephen Jones, Ta’Zhawn Henry and Khavon Moore.
John Stephen Jones – Pro-Style Quarterback (Highland Park HS, Dallas, TX)
| Height | Weight |
|---|---|
| 5’10” | 175 lbs |
Ratings: 81 by 247 / NR by ESPN / 5.4 by Rivals / NR by 247composite
Interest: Texas Tech (Warmer), Arkansas (Warmer), SMU (Cool), Kansas (Cool)
It’s impossible to not hear about this kid even a little bit if you live in the Dallas area. Whether it’s from winning back-to-back state championship at the Class 5A Division I level, or it’s being the grandson of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. He’s about a big a celebrity a recruit can be without actually being a highly rated recruit. Texas Tech was the first team to offer the playmaker at the end of November, with a few teams following suit, which includes Jerry Jones’ Alma mater in Arkansas. That being said, the Razorbacks are considered the favorite, although Jones will visit Texas Tech very soon according to 247sports’ Zach Tanner. So maybe he ends up coming to Lubbock after all. As for the film review, he’s the definition of clutch. There are plenty of plays either in playoffs or in the state title game where they need to come through and he does. He has the ability to break free from defender and is more athletic than he appears to be. My favorite attribute is his ability to drop it the smallest of holes. There are plenty of throw in these videos where he drops it in the basket or just over the opponent for the big play. I’m not he would be brought on as a quarterback for Tech, but at the very least he is versatile and could be used in many scenarios.
Ta’Zhawn Henry – All Purpose Back (Lamar HS, Houston, TX)
| Height | Weight | 40 time | Shuttle | Vertical | Powerball |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5’7″ | 170 lbs | 4.52 | 4.05 | 31.9 | 28.5 |
Ratings: 82 by 247sports / 74 by ESPN / 5.7 by Rivals / 84.91 by 247composite
Interest: Nebraska (Warm), Oregon State (Warm), Texas Tech (Warm), Utah (Warm)
With Texas Tech’s recent decommitment of Garland LaFrance and Devin Brumfield, they are in need of a running back, seeing they don’t have any this class, lost Stockton to graduation and are about to lose three more (look at Seth’s RB chart here). Despite not having a running back coach currently, they are pursuing Henry to fill out their void at the position. Henry is unlike the backs that the last two RB coaches pursued due to his smaller 5’7″ frame. He’s about to size of Sadale Foster (probably a little small), but as Foster showed us, that doesn’t matter. He decommitted from TCU about a month ago, and just last week listed a top four that consist of Nebraska, Oregon State, Texas Tech and Utah. He is visiting Oregon State this weekend according to Andrew Nemec of the Oregonian, and Henry announced on twitter that he will visit Texas Tech on Jan. 26. Now let’s look at Henry’s film. The senior reminds me of Dion Lewis this year for multiple reasons. First off, he lines up behind the quarterback most of the time. Secondly, he’s aggressive yet patient. If the hole isn’t open right away, he waits for one to appear for him. He’s also explosive enough to where and shifty enough to hit the smallest of holes when they appear and burn the defenders behind him. Finally, he’s an athlete. He’s stronger than he seems (he hits a guy at the goal line in the second play) and can jump (hurdles two guys in the third play). Henry would be a good addition to the team.
Khavon Moore – Small Forward (Westside HS, Maron, Ga.)
| Height | Weight |
|---|---|
| 6’8″ | 185 lbs |
Ratings: 93 by 247sports / 88 by ESPN / 4-star by Rivals / 98.07 by 247composite
Interest: Alabama (Warm), Ohio State (Warm), Oklahoma (Warm), Texas Tech (Warm)
What will an AP Top 10 ranking do for you? It will get you in the conversation for some of the best recruits in the country. Khavon Moore listed Texas Tech in his Top 4 schools about a couple weeks ago, along with Alabama, Ohio State and Oklahoma. I’m not sure when he is planning on visiting yet, but I assume he will do so at one point. Right now, we have DeShawn Corprew, Kyler Edwards and CJ Roberts in the class, with three scholarships open for the 2018 class. Expect a lot of noise over the next couple months. Now let’s tale a look at what Moore can bring. Moore is taller than most of the players Beard gets for that position, but I see a little big of Culver and Zhaire in him. He can create is own shot and shoot from all places of the floor like Culver, and is a presence on the defensive end and can finish at rim like Zhaire. He seems to have the mid-range game down with a variety of floaters and pull-ups, but also isn’t afraid to attack the rim if it”s there. Maybe his most underrated aspect is his vision, his ability to find players cutting to the rim for easy buckets. Moore could be the first huge recruit Beard lands, and could keep the Red Raiders afloat next season.
Now on to our updates:
2018 Football:
- Cam’ron Jones, 91 rated S, named his Top 5 of Nebraska, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Utah and Baylor. Jones also will be visiting Ole Miss this weekend before committing Jan. 27. Jones was originally a Red Raider commit before he committed to UCLA. He decommitted once Jim Mora left the program.
- Mike Williams, 84 rated JUCO WR, committed to Nebraska. Texas Tech showed interest late, but did not offer Williams. The receiver went to the same JUCO as Dakota Allen.
- Jacoby Simpson, 83 rated ILB, received an offer from Texas Tech om Thursday. Picone recently transferred out, but linebacker is one of Texas Tech’s deepest position right now.
- Caden Leggett, 81 rated WR, received a preferred walk-on spot from Texas Tech last week. Leggett currently has offers from Army, Central Arkansas and Texas State.
- Preston Gordon, a DT from Rice, has received a scholarship to play football at Texas Tech. Gordon is a graduate transfer and should be able to play right away. Gorden was a two-star recruit in high school and started 10 games for the Owls.
- Kyle Jones, QB from Mary Hardin-Baylor, is transferring to Texas Tech. Jones was the starter for the team his freshman year, when they won the championship, and started just a handful of game on this year’s runner-up.
- Jake Kirkpatrick, DB from Lubbock-Cooper, has been given to opportunity to play football for Texas Tech. Although this is likely not a scholarship, the Kirkpatrick’s have had a long history at Tech according to Don Williams.
2018 Basketball:
- Frankie Policelli, 88 rated SF, listed the three schools that are recruiting him the hardest, which is Cincinnati, Dayton and Texas Tech. He mentions Tech contacts him everyday, the toughness of the Big 12 and what they like about him. He also mentions he wants to visit after his basketball season is done.
2018 Baseball:
- TJ Rumfield, an INF from Temple, has committed to the Red Raiders. Rumfield was the quarterback for Temple this fall and can play all across the infield. The odd thing about him is that he’s 6-5, which you don’t see much with infielders. In comparison, Jung is about three inches shorter and 20 pounds lighter. He was originally committed to Baylor this summer before switching over to the good guys.
2019 Football:
- Hunter Spears, 92 rated SDE, announced his commitment date was 9/15/18. That’s still a long ways away and will likely change at some point. Tech has offered a lot of Sasche players, which includes Spears.
- Rashee Rice, 87 rated WR, was teased by Missouri transfer CJ Roberts about playing for the Red Raiders. Not much really to look into, commits do this all the time, but he does have four offers right now, with Tech being on of them.
Here’s a list of recruits that were recently followed by Texas Tech coaches on Twitter. The list was made by Seth.
- Jordan Brooks-Wess (NR 2018 WR), Connor Parks (86 rated 2018 WDE), Jeromy Reichner (Former Temple DT), Robert Hayes Jr (NR 2018 JUCO CB), Gary Wiley (NR 2018 OLB), Muhammad Ndiaye (NR 2018 OT), John McCartan (83 rated 2018 TE/OLB), Justin Osborne (89 rated 2019 OT) and Abu Bangura Jr (75 rated 2018 WDE).
And a small return of the Kliff NORAD Tracker. Just Kliff visiting a couple of commits.
- Jan. 14 – Kingsbury, Terrance Jamison and David Gibbs visited Xavier Benson in his home on Sunday. Benson is one of four commits who have not signed their NLI yet.
- Jan. 15 – Kingsbury and Emmett Jones visited Corey Fulcher in his home on Monday. Fulcher has already signed on to play at Texas Tech. Fulcher is also visiting Lubbock on Friday.
- Jan. 15 – Kingsbury and Brandon Jones visited Clayton Franks in his home on Monday. Franks has already signed his NLI for the Red Raiders.