Signing Day! (last week)

So signing day has come and gone, once again. The recruitniks (a.k.a. Stealers of your money by giving you news that isn't worth the $10 a month) are getting to start on the current juniors, making them into the next big things.

Tech had a very bad day on paper, according to some, but Mike Leach got exactly what he needed to work his magic. He lost Keanon Cooper and Brian Christopher (see earlier posts), but gained Lubbock native Austin Zouzalik. He didn't land any of the 5-star WR prospects, or a big name DT, but the redshirted crop of talent in the receiving corps coupled with the incoming DEs should make those losses a distant memory in the near present. He continued to add to his trademark mammoth OL with a few good pickups from Texas and Oklahoma, as well as a recruit from last year's class who resolved his grade issues. Overall, the class sucks for most schools, but is perfect for the Red Raiders.

QB Seth Doege (Wolfforth, TX, Frenship HS)
Hasn't played in 2 years due to knee injuries, but may do well in the Texas Tech system
RB Harrison Jeffers (Lawton, OK, Eisenhower HS)
Not a very tall RB, but has the ability to succeed in the Air Raid Offense.
RB Brandon Reid (El Paso, TX, Canutillo HS)
Former Missouri commit will get a shot at RB and could even play LB
OT Joe King (Oklahoma City, OK, Putnam City North HS)
6-6 300 lbs. Big tackle who will fit in well with the other lineman.
OT Terry McDaniel (Diana, TX, New Diana HS)
All-state lineman comes in at 6-6.5 315 lbs. Turned down an offer from LSU to be a Raider.
OG Deveric Gallington (Richland Hills, TX, Richland HS)
Top 100 recruit in Texas. 6-4 330 lbs on signing day.
DE Brandon Sesay (Visalia, CA, College of the Sequoias)
Should have an instant impact for the defense. Possible starter by August 30th.
DE McKinner Dixon (Lufkin, TX, Cisco JC/Texas Tech)
Played his freshman season at Texas Tech before leaving to work out his academics. Should team up with Sesay to lead the DL.
DE Ryan Halliburton (Wolfforth, TX, Frenship HS)
Quick pass rusher. Could be a decent player for the Raiders.
DE Joey Fowler (Oklahoma City, OK, Westmoore HS)
The only bad thing about Fowler is his injury history. Other than that, he should contribute on the next level.
DT Broderick Marshall (Austin, TX, Tyler JC)
Committed to Tech in 2006, and finally made it on campus. Could play any position on the DL
CB Jarell Routt (Texas City, TX, Coffeyville JC)
Another former Red Raider recruit who finally made it to campus. Could provide instant help to the secondary.
S Cody Davis (Stephenville, TX, Stephenville HS)
All-state player. Had the knack for making plays at Stephenville HS. Could contribute to the secondary in a few years.
K Donnie Carona (Beamount, TX, Monsignor Kelly HS)
Also played RB in HS. 6-0 200 lbs frame gives Tech more options on trick plays. May very well be kicking FGs for Tech in the fall.
ATH Cornelius Douglas (Lawton, OK, Lawton HS)
Can you say Tyrone Thurman? 5-9 180 lbs WR/CB has the tools to fit in perfectly at Texas Tech. Should remind a lot of newer Red Raider fans of former WR Nehemiah Glover, while the older fans may think of Mr. Thurman.
ATH Austin Zouzalik (Lubbock, TX, Coronado HS)
Zouzalik was the signal caller for the Mustangs, but has been mentioned as a possible DB for his hometown team. Has the speed and athleticism to earn playing time.

Tech also has 2 walk-ons lined up for 2008. The first being Muleshoe HS QB Garrett Riley, brother of WR coach Lincoln Riley. Blake Kelly, a 5-11 180 lbs WR from Blinn JC has also accepted an invitation to walk-on at Tech.

Tech also notched their first new player for 2009. Former Miami DT Chris Perry, of Keller, Tx, has transfered to Lubbock. Perry, a former top 100 Texas recruit, sat out his first season in Miami due to a stress fracture.

Here's a positive (for once) writeup on the class from The Sporting News.

Texas Tech football picks up new commit!

Texas Tech received a new commitment today from former Missouri commit, RB Brandon Reid of Canutillo, Texas.

Reid is being given a chance at RB, but could ultimately end up as a LB or S if he can't win a job.

Texas Tech is also still in the hunt for former UT lineman J'Marcus Webb, a former 5-star lineman.

Big 12 Recruiting Review

Tom Dienhart at The Sporting News wrote a piece on Big 12 overachievers and underachievers in football. Texas Tech comes in as an overachiever while or favorite team comes in as an under.

Tech football nabs two new commits!

On Monday, Texas Tech football welcomed the news of two players ready to set foot in Lubbock next fall. One was a welcome addition in Dallas Skyline S Keanon Cooper, while the other, Camden, Arkansas DE Brian Christopher was a totally unknown to me (I don't follow recruiting close enough, apparently).

Don Williams has the write up in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

I really like the addition of Cooper. He brings a much needed talent to the secondary, and this class. Not to take away from early-commit Cody Davis, but Cooper could be a great addition for the future. It is also important for Coach Leach to continue his presence in the Metroplex. One of his last trips inside Dallas landed Michael Crabtree, afterall.

Like I said earlier, I have nothing to add on Brian Christopher. I hadn't heard his name before reading the article. The interesting thing is that two of his teammates at Fairview happen to be targets for Texas Tech, who are currently listed as "soft verbals" to Arkansas. Either Mike really liked what he saw in Christopher when he was looking at the other two, or he is hoping to pull a fast one on Bobby Petrino. Can't really criticize the Coach since he has been a wonderful evaluator of talent (see Wes Welker).

This brings the total number of verbals up to 16, with 10 being listed on the defensive side of the ball. Texas Tech recruits