Red Raider Gridiron :: Potts on O'Brien Watch List and Recruiting Tidbits

Potts Named to Davey O'Brien Watch List:  As noted from TallMike's FanShot, QB Taylor Potts has been named to the Davey O'Brien Watch List.   LAJ's Adam Zuvanich writes that outsiders seem to favor Potts over QB Steven Sheffield, despite the fact that most Texas Tech fans feel the opposite:

Count me among those who think Potts will prevail in the preseason competition, just like he did the year before under Mike Leach. Potts has a better upside, with a bigger build and a stronger arm, and I think he'll turn out to be the better quarterback.

And while I can admit that Sticks ended up having the better season in 2009, last year was last year. The upcoming season provides a new start under a new coaching staff, and the guess here is that the guy who liked so bad at times last season will be a new-look quarterback out to prove he's much better than people might think.

RP.com's Steve Pitts also talked with Potts (his interview with Sheffield is to happen later):

Potts’ character and humility really showed when talked about the actual "Air it Out" competition. While everybody was giving it his best shot to win, he said, "it was really just a matter of hitting Wheaties cereal boxes mounted as targets on golf carts" as they crisscross the field at progressively farther distances. I could make a comment about completing passes to receivers in fishing boats … but on second thought … nah.

This has been a strange ride.  Leach chose Potts and had all of the spring practices and fall practices to base his decision.  I've wondered if Sheffield is the absolute worst practice quarterback in the history of ever and Sheffield forced Leach's hand to choose Potts.  We all bemoaned the fact that Leach seemed to be blind by the fact that Sheffield out-played Potts, yet Leach stuck with Potts through most of last season.

My two cents:  I think we all need to buckle up for the thought that both Potts and Sheffield will see time this year.  We all seem to acknowledge Potts' faults, which include throwing off of his back foot (Harrell did the same thing), forcing the ball when he shouldn't, and sometimes just making bad decisions.  We also need to acknowledge Sheffield's faults, which include throwing way too many pick-six's and being a relatively fragile quarterback.  It's the fragile part that scares me about Sheffield and I wonder if he will be able to stand up to a full Big 12 season. 

As a result, I've resigned myself to think that we're going to need them both this season and I'm okay with that.

Tubs is Scary:  ESPN's Jamie Newberg (I think he's the main recruiting-guy for ESPN) had a short blurb about head coach Tommy Tuberville making an impact on the recruiting trail and he talked with an anonymous Big 12 assistant coach, who had this to say about Tuberville and his A-Team:

"I think Tuberville and his staff are a little scary," one Big 12 assistant coach said. "They are really doing a great job in the state of Texas. He has brought that SEC mentality of grinding and grinding when it comes to recruiting. They are a lot tougher than I thought they would be and it's certainly different then [former coach Mike] Leach and his staff."

Peak in Lubbock:  LAJ's Don Williams talked with just-arrived LB Tahrick Peak.  For those of you catching up with Peak's story (click the link on his name to take you to his recruiting profile where you've got a bit of film and his back-story), he originally committed to Virginia Tech and now we have the answer regarding the SAT issue:

His academics met NCAA freshman eligibility requirements, but Peak said he was felled by a Virginia Tech enrollment standard that required scores of at least 400 on each section of the SAT. He said he met the standard on math and writing, but fell just short on the English section.

Peak talked about his relationship with OLB and DE coach Robert Prunty:

"I know him because he sent some guys pro from my high school,’’ said Peak, a standout at Pulaski County High School in Dublin, Va. "He told me I’d like it out here and to come on. I trust Coach Prunty, so I took his word for it.’’

And Peak sounds appreciative of the opportunity:

"It’s a new experience, and it’s a blessing,’’ Peak said Wednesday. "It puts me in position to see what I’m made of — on my own, away from my family. I’m having a blast out here. I love the players and love the coaches.’’

BON on the 7-on-7 Prospects:  BON's GhostofBigRoy was at last weekend's 7-on-7 Texas State Championship and he took note of two Texas Tech commits, QB Michael Brewer and TE Jace Amaro. 

Brewer:

Michael Brewer, Lake Travis QB (committed to Texas Tech): This format suits Brewer as well as any other quarterback in the event, with the possible exception of David Ash. Brewer is a bit undersized at a little over six feet tall, but the lack of pass rushers keeps him from having to worry about pass rusher disrupting his throwing lanes. Brewer consistently delivers the ball with accuracy moving to his right and has a strong arm for his size. The only mechanical concern is a slight one, as he drops the football and cocks, but otherwise has a quick release.

And Amaro:

Jace Amaro, SA Macarthur TE (committed to Texas Tech): As  much as any other prospect at the event, Amaro looks the part at every bit of 6-5 (possibly 6-6), combined with excellent athleticism and a lean frame that has plenty of room to fill out. A kid who flew under the radar as a junior, his combination of speed and  body control, as well as his ability to outmuscle and outjump opponents has him primed for a strong senior season and makes him a big-time threat in the red zone.

On one play down the seam, Amaro was able to adjust his body in the air and make a leaping catch at full extension. In addition to high-pointing the football in the end zone, the big Texas Tech commit showed his speed by being able to take the edge on opponents with a full head of steam.

Keep an eye on Amaro because he represents a strong early evaluation by Texas Tech compared with other major schools and could become a major force after he spends some time in a college weight program.

Me = giddy like a school girl.

Patton Productions and Tuberville Talks - Team Attitude:

Tuberville Talks - Team Attitude (via PatProShow)
And don't forget to check out Patton Production's new short-film, The Country Drive.

Recruiting Stuff:  I finally updated each profile for all of the players (this also means that if you click on each player, I've updated the Measurables portion of their profile.  We've got the LB Derek David and DL Logan David profile coming up later this morning. The 2011 table is after the jump.

Position	Commitment	Ht/Wt	High School/State	Rivals	Rivals Rating	Scout	ESPN	ESPN Grade
QB	Michael Brewer	6-0/175	Lake Travis (Austin, TX)	4	5.8	3	3	78
RB	Kenny Williams	5-10/210	Hendrickson (Pflugerville, TX)	4	5.8	4	4	80
RB	Bradley Marquez	5-11/180	Odessa (Odessa, TX)	3	5.7	4	4	79
WR	Derek Edwards	6-1/163	Brenham (Brenham, TX)	3	5.7	3	3	79
TE	Jace Amaro	6-5/237	MacArthur (San Antonio, TX)	4	5.8	4	3	78
OL	Tony Morales	6-4/300	Sam Houston (Arlington TX)	4	5.8	3	N/A	45
OL	Alfredo Morales	6-3/287	Sam Houston (Arlington TX)	3	5.7	3	N/A	45
OL	Le'Raven Clark	6-6/245	Rockdale (Rockdale TX)	3	5.7	4	3	79
DL	James Castleman	6-4/255	Amarillo (Amarillo, TX)	N/A	N/A	3	3	77
DE	Kindred Evans	6-6/215	South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, TX)	N/A	N/A	2	3	75
DL/LB	Devon Hocutt	6-0/260	Ellison (Killeen, TX)	3	5.6	3	2	74
LB	Terrell Hartsfield	6-4/215	Hargrave MA (Chatham, VA)	N/A	N/A	3	N/A	45
LB	Blake Dees	6-0/234	Spanish Fort (Spanish Fort, AL)	3	5.5	2	2	73
DB	Freddie Warner	5-9/170	L.G. Pinkston (Dallas, TX)	N/A	N/A	2	N/A	45
Averages				2.42	4.07	3.07	2.14	68.00