We’re going to start this off with a few 2019 football recruits. With the lack of targets left for the 2018 class, it’s time to get started on the next class.
Rashee Rice – Wide Receiver (Richland HS, North Richland Hills, TX)
| Height | Weight | 40 Yard Dash | Bench | Squat | Powerclean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6’2″ | 170 | 4.6 | 165 lbs | 205 lbs | 185 lbs |
Ratings: 87 by 247 / NR by ESPN / 5.5 by Rivals / 85.16 by 247composite
Interest: SMU (Cool), Texas Tech (Cool), UTSA (Cool), Washington State (Cool)
Texas Tech transfer mentioned that Rice should go to Texas Tech, and as of right now, the Red Raiders are one of six schools to offer the North Richland Hills wide receiver. According to 247sports, Rice got his first offer from SMU in September, followed by Washington State and Tulsa in November, then Texas Tech in December. The Red Raiders also offered his fellow wide receiver teammate Shamar Johnson the same day. Although Rice has not named as favorites so far, it is important to say that he has visited both Oklahoma and Texas A&M unofficially. Neither school has extended and offer thus far. Last season, Rice caught 66 passes for 1,193 yards and 15 touchdowns, and was named first team all-district. Now on to Rice’s film. Rice has vertical quickness and was often used as a deep threat this season. He’s able to high point the ball and has a good catch radius. The other play they used him a lot for is screens, where he finds the open seam and often sees success with it. It’s also important to mention he returns kicks, which is unusual for a guy his height and likely won’t do so in college if I had to guess. It’s also interesting to point out he did play on Texas Tech’s field this season.
Deion Hankins – Running Back (Parkland HS, El Paso, TX)
| Height | Weight | 40 Yard Dash | Shuttle | Vertical | Powerball |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6’1″ | 200 | 4.71 | 4.37 | 37.7 | 33 |
Ratings: 91 by 247 / 5.6 by Rivals / NR by ESPN / 89.63 by 247composite
Interest: Oklahoma State (Cool), Texas Tech (Cool), Utah (Cool), UTEP (Cool)
When I was covering high school sports for the Lubbock AJ, one of our top runners was among the Texas high school leaders in rushing yards. Who was first? Some sophomore back from El Paso. Hawkins instantly started gaining interest, which doesn’t happen quite as often for El Paso schools, including Texas Tech when they were first to offer on October of 2016. UTEP offered the same day, and his next offer didn’t come til months later. Now with multiple running back coaches gone since then, it’s not quite clear where Hankins stands on Tech. Hopefully, we’ll continue to see interest here. On to Hankins film, you can probably tell by his size that he’s more of a power runner. He’s difficult to bring down, and while he isn’t showing spin moves or jukes, he makes the slightest moves where defenders have a hard time tackling him. Hankins also appears to be a pretty good blocker and pass protector, using he strength to protect to ball carrier. And even though he’s by no means a burner, Hankins has a few breakaway runs in his film.
Grant Tisdale – Dual Threat Quarterback (Allen HS, Allen, TX)
| Height | Weight | 40 Yard Dash | Shuttle | Vertical | Powerball |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6’1″ | 204 | 4.7 | 4.18 | 35.6 | 34 |
Interest: Ohio State (Cool), Oklahoma State (Cool), Oregon (Cool), Texas Tech (Cool)
Ratings: 91 by 247 / 5.8 by Rivals / 79 by ESPN / 92 by 247composite
The Red Raiders don’t have a quarterback committed for the 2019 class yet, but Tisdale may be where they put the most effort. Texas Tech was the first Power 5 school to offer, back in July of 2016, not long after he attended a Texas Tech camp. Tisdale had just year at quarterback under his belt and had to replace one of the greatest high school football players of all time in Kyler Murray. If y’all remember, Murray had Tech high on his board before the quarterback from Auburn committed to the Red Raiders. Tisdale’s next Power 5 offer came after his sophomore season. Since then, schools like Ole Miss, Tennessee and Utah have offered. He has one listed visit on 247sports, and that is too Oklahoma, where Murray is now at. Tisdale is currently one of four quarterbacks offered, along with Grant Gunnell (A&M commit) and Michael Johnson Jr. (A dual threat QB that live in Eugene, Oregon? Good luck with that). Now let’s take a look at what Tisdale can do. What I like most about the junior is that he can hit his receiver in stride. Although his tape is a little more run based, he can hit a receiver with a guy breathing down his neck. He also appears to be a better athlete than some D-1 skill position players. Tisdale dances in the pocket until he’s flushed out (maybe a little bit early sometimes), then is able to create a play, which is what you want out of your quarterback. There is a reason Tisdale is a four-star recruit by two out of the three scouting services.
And now for our recruiting updates, starting with football.
2018 Football:
- Mekhi Garner, 80 rated S, decommitted from Texas Tech on Sunday. He didn’t say much, just that he was truly sorry.
- Erik Ezukanma, 91 rated WR, visited Texas Tech last weekend. Ezukanma signed his NLI during the December deadline.
- Xavier Benson, 83 rated OLB commit, visited Texas Tech last weekend. Benson has yet to sign in NLI.
- Ta’Zhawn Henry, 82 rated RB, named his Top 3 of Nebraska, Oregon State and Texas Tech. Henry also announced he will decide on NSD Pt. 2.
- Andre Johnson, NR JUCO RB, committed to Texas Tech as a walk-on on Tuesday. Zach Tanner of 247sports interviewed him, which you can read here. Apparently he was getting looks as senior, but tore his ACL and went the JUCO route.
- Preston Gordon, Rice DT transfer, is scheduled to visit Texas Tech this week. Gordon received an offer from Texas Tech about a week and a half ago.
2019 Football:
- Dylan Wright, 89 rated WR, was offered by Texas Tech on Friday. Wright currently has 21 offers and is considered a Top 300 player by all recruiting services.
- TQ Jackson, 86 rated WR, was offered by Texas Tech on Tuesday. According to 247sports, the Red Raiders currently have offered 14 wide receivers in 2019.
- Shamar Johnson, 84 rated WR, talked to Greg Powers of 247sports about Texas Tech. You can read about it here.
- Marcus Alexander, a NR OG, received his first offer from Texas Tech on Thursday. Alexander is from a Class 3A school called Sunnyvale.
2018 Basketball:
- Khavon Moore, 93 rated SF, broke his fibula and tibia last week. He had a rod put in his leg on Wednesday. According to 247sports, he’s supposed to announce Friday at 6 p.m. where he will be going to school.
2019+ Baseball:
- Jack Scanlon, a 2019 catcher, committed to Texas Tech on Thursday. PerfectGame also lists Scanlon as a first baseman and right handed pitcher as well.
- Jamie Hitt, a 2020 LHP, committed to Texas Tech on Sunday. He is one of two commits for the 2020 class.
2018 Track and Field:
- Robert Teer, a hurdler from Arlington Seguin, committed to Texas Tech on Wednesday. He has a 110 meter hurdle time of 13.87 and a 300 meter hurdle time of 39.22.
Kliff NORAD Tracker:
- Jan. 15 – Kingsbury and Brandon Jones visited DeMarcus Marshall in his home on Monday. Marshall has already signed his NLI to play for Texas Tech.
- Jan. 16 – Kingsbury was spotted at Little Elm High School on Tuesday. Nobody is ranked from Little Elm, but some 2018 prospects there are Corey Moses, Glenn Young and Kevin Terry.
- Jan. 16 – Kingsbury and Emmett Jones were spotted at Carrollton Ranchview High School, where it appears they were talking to SaRodorick Thompson. Thompson is a 6’0″, 192-pound running back in the 2018 class. Tech has not offered Thompson.
- Jan. 17- Emmett Jones and Clay Jennings visited Houston on Wednesday. It appears one of the recruits he visited was Ta’Zhawn Henry.
- Jan. 18 – Brett Dewhurst visited Odessa High on Thursday. It is unclear who Dewhurst might’ve been visiting.
- Jan. 18 – Emmett Jones visited KeSean Carter at The Woodlands on Thursday. Carter has already signed his NLI
- Jan. 18 – Members of the Texas Tech football staff visited South Oak Cliff on Thursday. Current 2019 commit Steven Parker attends SOC, along with 2019 DBÂ Deondre Dansby and 2018 DB Phillip Dixon.
- Jan. 19 – Members of the Texas Tech football staff visited Bishop Dunne on Friday. Some 2019 recruits from Bishop Dunne are Brian Williams (96 rated S), Marquez Beason (91 rated ATH), Jabari Khepera (NR WR) and Chans Jones (86 rated OG).