Recruiting

by ST04 on Jan 20, 2008 8:54 PM CST Comment 18 comments

Is it just me or does the recruiting class so far this year seems like a dud? Sure we have Jeffers and a few JC players that make it interesting, but it doesn't seem like the coaches have actually gone out and addressed any of the problems from this year. I still think we need to get some big DTs even if they are only 3 star players I am sure they could dig up someone. I am also disappointed at the lack of talent for the LB positions. I know we are already deep at that position with some decent talent, but hey competition only makes the program better. If we are going to go out and have 3-4OL why can't we at least get one decent LB.? The WR position looks very weak this year as compared to years before. These are just my opinions so far. I don't want to start a controversy just want to know what everyone else thinks about the class so far.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors.

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well, I dont really

agree with you STO4.

I check out Rivals.com very frequently and our coaches are doing an amazing job at getting great players to visit. First of all, we have already brought in 2 stud DE's that will most likely start over the guys who started this past season. We have missed on a couple of DT's so far but we have a 4-star JUCO DT named Daniel Calvin visiting next weekend and he is deciding between us and Kansas State (I like our chances). We are in the top 3 of a 4-star JUCO LB who will decide this next week. We have two awesome DB's in Keanon Cooper and D'Anton Lynn that visited this weekend and both of which are really expected to give their commitment to the Red Raiders (I personally think we will get at least one of the two). On offense, we have brought in two OL, a stud RB, and a really good ATH who will play inside WR for us. We are still in the running for WR Jarius Wright and DT Lavunce Askew, both from Arkansas.

The weekend of Feb. 2, we have the #1 and #4 WR's in the country both visiting. Julio Jones and DeAndre Brown are both 5-star WR's and either would start immediately for us. Also, Julio Jones' teammate Robert Lester is a 4-star safety who will be making the trip with Julio. They are likely a package deal. Arkansas RB DeAnthony Curtis is also visiting that weekend.

The truth is that this class could either end with a bang or a bust. If I had to guess, I would say BANG!! Our coaching staff always does their best work in January and early February with recruiting. I really like our class so far, and it isn't even close to being done. Don't get all down just yet.

liquidsmoke

by liquidsmoke on Jan 21, 2008 12:20 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

one thing

Lavaunce Askew and Jarius Wright committed to Oklahoma, so Tech is out of the running for them. I'm not sure how hard we tried to get them especially the DT?

No one has yet been able to tell me which coach recruits for DT. It must not be too important to Leach since we haven't really gone after many DTs.

by CoachT on Jan 21, 2008 6:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

Askew and Wright are both soft verbals to Arkansas, not OU. We have put extreme effort in recruiting both of these guys. The thing about any out of state kids, especially from Arkansas is that it is extremely hard to get them to commit out of state. Everyone in the whole state wants and expects them to go to Arkansas. It's not really like that in Texas or Oklahoma. The SEC country is very difficult to recruit for non-SEC schools. We are making huge strides just to get these kids to consider us and visit us. Both Askew and Wright visited Arkansas this past weekend and I believe they are both waiting until signing day to announce, but I wouldn't count us out yet. I know for a fact that we are the final two with Wright.

About who recruits these kids, honestly, it varies. The JUCO DT named Daniel Calvin is being recruited by Ruffin McNeil. The DT from Oklahoma that just committed to OU named Stacey McGee was being recruited by Seth Littrell. Askew from Arkansas is being recruited by Lincoln Riley. It is a huge deal for all these coaches, and just because some DT's that we have recruited decided to go elsewhere doesn't mean these guys aren't doing their job. These guys have done a very admirable job in getting kids interested in our program. I wouldn't say much about Leach not caring, by the time National Signing Day rolls around we will probably be singing Leach's praises.

liquidsmoke

by liquidsmoke on Jan 21, 2008 6:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

thanks

for clearing that up. I must have mis-read that Askew and Wright were committed to OU. I thought I saw it on Rivals.com.

It's good to know which coaches are going after which recruits. I don't think it is a big deal because the coaches don't talk about recruiting defense like it's a big deal. Leach certainly doesn't.

I hope you're right about signing day, but I won't believe it until I see it. I'll be glad to eat crow if Leach shows some commitment to recruiting 4 star defensive players from high school. The JUCOs are nice, I'm glad we have them, but I would like to see are more concerted effort to recruit defensive players, just like we do for WR.

by CoachT on Jan 21, 2008 8:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Coach T,

I can understand your thoughts on Leach. He doesn't really give the impression that he gives a rip about the defense, but I am convinced that he does.

In recruiting this year, we are really swinging for the fences. We might strike out, but if we don't there are going to be some really happy Red Raider fans come National Signing Day. The weekend of Feb.1st/2nd could be the biggest recruiting day in Tech's history as far as the list of players we have visiting. There are going to be some of the best athletes in the nation on our campus, and I have to believe that we will get at least a couple of them.

liquidsmoke

by liquidsmoke on Jan 21, 2008 10:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

leach

I think he might have seen the writing on the wall the last two years with the defense. I heard from a friend of mine that works in the chancellors office that the board has been putting some pressure on him to get a better defense. Their key reason is good defense = more opportunity for the air raid offense to star and this means more tickets and fan dollars. I know in years past we have really finished strong on signing day and even got some players that rivals and scout didn't have listed as having any interest in us. I can see this year they are going for some big time guys witch I really like to see, but I just hope we get enough "decent" players to keep the depth.

by ST04 on Jan 22, 2008 7:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Probably confused

with Jameel Owens (WR) and Stacey McGee (DT), Muskogee, OK teammates who committed to OU together on 1/15/08.

by djollie111 on Jan 23, 2008 1:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I sure did!

Oops

by CoachT on Jan 23, 2008 5:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of Julio

With Applewhite leaving 'bama, that pretty much puts him back into play. Who knows, we could get lucky, especially after the year crabs had. I certainly hope so.

To the complaints about DT: I was looking through who's out there and, if i remember correctly, it really is slim pickin's this year. Only one or two 5-stars and less than 10 4 start DT's around. I don't remember how many 3 stars I saw.

by kayakyakr on Jan 21, 2008 8:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Liquidsmoke and kayakyakr for your input. I don't usually check scout or insider bc I don't think I should have to pay for something a public school is doing. Anyways your information has given me some hope on this class. If we get the big WR's and the DBs it would be really big for the program I did read some on the JC DT, but I rather get some younger tallent that will be able to play for awhile, but I will take the JC if he can make a big impact. I am sometimes sceptical about the JC recruits bc I think hey they were playing JCball last year and not Div 1. I know most of that has to do with grades but it still makes you think a bit. Anyways thanks for the input.

by ST04 on Jan 21, 2008 8:54 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Also,

We just found out yesterday that a huge DT just transferred here from the University of Miami. This guy is a big-time prospect and it is said that he probably would have played for the Hurricanes as a freshman if it were not for a nagging leg injury.

Of course this will not help us for this next season, and hopefully we can still get an impact DT in this class. This guy will have 3 years to play for Tech after sitting out next season due to NCAA regulations.

liquidsmoke

by liquidsmoke on Jan 21, 2008 6:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

DT

yeah i saw that the other day on raiderpower.com. I think that kid might be the beast we need. It just sucks that he won't be able to play this season, but hopefully he will take advantage of benny's workouts and become a monster DT. I think with him and some of the guys that were redshirted this year the d-line will be very good in 09

by ST04 on Jan 22, 2008 7:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

3 'ships left for this class

3 Scholarships available for this class, according to this article in the A-J.

I believe the recruits that are still interested include:

4* RB De'Anthony Curtis (Arkansas commit)
5* WR Julio Jones
5* WR DeAndre Brown
4* DE Tony Jerod (A&M commit)
4* LB J.R. Bryant
4* S Robert Lester (Alabama commit)
4* S Keanon Cooper
3* S D'Anton Lynn
4* DT Daniel Calvin
3* DT Lavunce Askew (Arkansas commit)

by djollie111 on Jan 23, 2008 2:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

what I know so far....

it is true that we only have 3 scholarships available, but I read where Leach would make room for almost any of these guys if they wanted to commit (that is more than 3).

Last weekend 4* S Keanon Cooper and 3* S D'Anton Lynn visited. Cooper will take 2 more visits before deciding (OU and Kansas). Lynn is still a "soft verbal" to Penn State, but I would be surprised if he didn't end up a Red Raider. He is a Tech legacy, son of former Tech RB Anthony Lynn.

This weekend 4* JUCO DT Daniel Calvin is visiting. He has narrowed his list to Tech and K-State. I would be shocked if he chose to be a Wildcat over a Red Raider, knowing our needs and what we are likely to do next year.

Tony Jerod will likely end up an Aggie. It is also rumored that he may not qualify out of high school.

The final weekend of recruiting for this class (Feb.2) we are hosting 5* WR Julio Jones, 5* WR DeAndre Brown, 4* S Robert Lester, and 4* RB De'Anthony Curtis. This is quite possibly the biggest weekend of recruiting Tech has ever had. Jones and Lester are said to be a package deal, and Lester is already committed to Alabama. The way I see it, we have a 1 in 5 chance at getting Jones as Tech is one of his 5 official visits. He is not saying anything, so nobody knows what he is thinking or where he wants to go. Brown is also said to be a huge grade risk, but he is too talented not to take a risk on. I think he may be our best chance at landing a big name WR...I just hope he qualifies. Curtis is a playmaker, and a "soft verbal" to Arkansas. I don't think we really have a chance with him, but I hope I'm wrong.

3* DT Lavunce Askew loved his official visit to Arkansas, and I would put my money on him ending up there. Tech has really recruited him hard though.

4* JUCO LB J.R. Bryant has narrowed his list down to Oklahoma, Okla. State, and Tech. He is deciding this Friday where he will be committing. I hear that he is an OU lean, but anything is possible, and we are recruiting the heck out of this kid....I just hope that he will realize it and maybe it will pay off.

Hope that helps those who don't know....

liquidsmoke

by liquidsmoke on Jan 23, 2008 11:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

great info

I don't have access to the recruiting activities so this kind of insight is a gold mine. I am hoping that we land a DT or Bryant. It sounds like Leach was really going after Bryant.

by CoachT on Jan 24, 2008 3:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

speaking of recruits

Has any one noticed that Harrison Jeffers is now listed as a 3 star RB instead of a 4 star RB? Scout.com has him as 3 stars, but prior to today he was 4 stars.

by CoachT on Jan 23, 2008 5:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Jeffers

got dropped down a star on scout.com because he didn't have the greatest season. However, his team was horrible. If you look at his offensive linemen, they get knocked down as soon as the ball is snapped and Harrison wouldn't even have the handoff before guys were in his grill. Don't read to far into this, this guy is an explosion of talent and speed. He will be an awesome player for us.

liquidsmoke

by liquidsmoke on Jan 23, 2008 11:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs