This has been a busy weekend, we’ll try to touch on each thing that happened over the holiday.

Jesiah Pierre Commits to Texas Tech

I think this is a big deal, former 3-star recruit Jesiah Pierre has committed to Texas Tech. Pierre is originally from Mount Dora, Florida, and was part of the 2019 class where he had offers from Florida, Miami, East Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, etc. As a recruit, he was 6-2/205 and part of the 2019 class. Pierre is now listed at 6-2/242 and played as a true freshman in 2019 in a couple of games, while playing in 5 games in 2020, 8 tackles total, so not a ton of playing time.

As a senior in high school, he was highly athletic, getting time at running back and outside linebacker.

CB Zech McPhearson Declares for NFL Draft

Cornerback Zech McPhearson decided to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft. McPhearson was originally a Penn State signee that transferred to Texas Tech as a graduate transfer, and was almost immediately a starter. This past year, McPhearson was 5th on the team with 53 tackles, had 4 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, broke up 6 passes, and I thought was a really productive player for Texas Tech.

I’m glad that McPhearson was here, I think the cornerback room was better as a result of him being at Texas Tech. I wish him a ton of luck in his future endeavors.

CB Ryan Frank, LB Xavier Benson and CB Ja’Marcus Ingram Enter Transfer Portal

This is always really tough to keep track of, but I believe that these players entered the transfer portal last week. Frank was a freshman, Benson sat out all of 2020 for Covid-19, and Ingram followed Wells from Utah State and had 20 tackles, good for 14th on the team but that’s obviously not enough playing time for him.

I wish all of these guys a ton of luck moving forward. Find your home.

Players Returning and Leaving

It’s been a bit tough to follow, but here are the players who are returning and leaving (hoping I haven’t forgotten anyone).

Returning: RT Josh Burger, TE Travis Koontz, LB Riko Jeffers, IR McLane Mannix, LB Colin Schooler, LB Jacob Morganstern, CB DaMarcus Fields, S Eric Monroe, S Seth Collins

Leaving: LB Xavier Benson, CB Ja’Marcus Ingram, S Ryan Frank, LG Jack Anderson, TE Connor Killian, WR T.J. Vasher, DE Eli Howard, S Thomas Leggett, P Cody Wadell, CB Zech McPhearson, WR KeSean Carter

As an aside, Carter goes to Houston and Texas Tech opens at Houston at NRG Stadium next year. Planning on spending the night and camping out in Dan’s backyard. Also, Connor Killian is technically leaving, but he’s really just retiring and will join the coaching staff.

Around the Big 12

* Texas fired Tom Herman. I was somewhat shocked at that, but really I wasn’t. Herman was given the dreaded vote of confidence a few weeks ago by the AD and now he finds himself collecting a paycheck of $15 million for doing nothing. I also believe that his assistants were owed $9 to 10 million so they really wanted Herman gone.

I don’t know what the final thing that caused Herman to be let go, but the less than stellar recruiting class and the player transfers (that happens everywhere) where part of the reasons for Herman’s dismissal.

* Out goes Herman, and in comes Steve Sarkisian, the Alabama offensive coordinator. Sarkisian was the head coach at USC, but alcoholism led to his termination. Sark then eventually became the offensive coordinator where he’s led an Alabama offense that has largely been unstoppable. Not only that, but I think he’s done a really nice job of developing quarterbacks for the most part. Will this work? Hell, I don’t have a clue any more. My initial reaction was, “What? LOL.” The more I thought about it, and if Texas can figure out a way to get a high-flying offense then that could be really dangerous.

* The bane of my existence, Iowa State, won their bowl game against Oregon and will have QB Brock Purdy and LB Mike Rose will return next year / shakes fist in the general direction of Ames/ .