I ran across this leading up to the end of the year and thought it was worth posting and at the very least discussing to an extent. Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman wrote and gave grades to each of the 2021 recruiting classes. This is good because it gives an outside view of the classes and it doesn’t take into account the analytical grading of classes, i.e. what’s the average stars or the the grade using the metrics from Rivals and 24/7 Sports.

Those are useful too, I’m not suggesting that they get thrown out, but I am suggesting that having an individual who has looked at players and watched the videos or more than just “my team”. I also realize that this doesn’t validate anything either. Spiegelman’s opinions are just that and that’s okay, but I also think I’ll acknowledge that he’s more informed than me for sure.

Spiegelman gave the following grades:

Baylor: C+
Iowa State: C
Kansas: C-
Kansas Tate: C+
Oklahoma: A
Oklahoma State: C+
TCU: B
Texas: B+
Texas Tech: B
West Virginia: B+

That’s 5 C’s and if that’s average, then that’s probably good. I think a lot of people tend to be offended by a C, but that’s what got me through law school.

There’s also 4 B’s and I’m surprised that Texas Tech’s 11 man class made that cut, but I think there are some pretty serious signees on the offensive end of things, including QB Behren Morton, RB Cam’Ron Valdez, WR Jerand Bradley, and TE jed Castles. Really, the entire offensive class is really good, which is rounded out by TE Mason Tharp, OL Jack Tucker, and OL Jacoby Jackson. The defensive class was small, the best player was probably DE E’Maurion Banks with DE Charles Esters right behind him, then JUCO DT DeMeco Roland, and then DE Isaac Smith.

Here is Spiegelman’s thoughts on Texas Tech’s small 2021 class:

Analysis: Longtime Red Raiders quarterback commitment Behren Morton provided some late drama in the week leading up to the Early Signing Period after Texas Tech made a change at offensive coordinator. Nonetheless, Morton signed his paperwork and was one of two four-stars to ink with Tech along with Rockdale (Texas) all-purpose back Cam’Ron Valdez.

The Red Raiders signed 10 of 11 pledges, including key pieces in offensive tackle Jack Tucker, defensive end E’maurion Banks and wide receiver Jerand Bradley. Still, expect Texas Tech to be wildly busy over the final few weeks of this cycle.

Form comparison purposes, Rivals had the 2021 class 10th in the Big 12 and 24/7 Sports also had Texas Tech 10th. A large part of the equation is the number of commits (i.e. the more commits, the better the metric), but you get how opinions can vary. Do I think the 2021 class for Texas Tech is the worst? No, probably not, but most likely in the middle of the pack.