Recruiting on the South Plains | A December Update
by Seth C on Dec 13, 2011 10:00 AM CST
in Texas Tech Football Recruiting 2012
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I've been meaning to do some sort of recruiting update the last couple of weeks, but with the Thanksgiving holidays and being out of town after that, I'm a bit behind in terms of actual content. The standard recruiting table is updated and after the jump. As always, if you see any errors, please let me know and I'll get things fixed.
De-Commits
As previously discussed on DTN, Texas Tech has had two de-commits, but overall, I think it's a very solid class. WR Marcus Johnson and OL Christian Okafor both de-committed, I think within the span of a week. Johnson committed to Texas A&M and within two days then committed to Texas. Okafor has committed to California. I won't try to tell you that their losses don't mean anything, they do mean something. Of the two, Johnson is a player that I think Texas Tech could afford to lose as I think that Reginald Davis and Dominique Wheeler are better players, but we'll see. Okafor is concerning because his brother, Mickey, is on the team and it makes you wonder if Mickey influenced Christian to lean another direction, or maybe Christian decided that being in Berkley was a lot cooler than being in Lubbock. I don't know.
Updating Green and Nguema
Last year, DE Desimon Green and DB Thierry Nguema (see both of their profiles below) committed as part of the 2011 class. Green ended up not qualifying and has had to spend a year at Hargrave Military Academy. I haven't been able to find any statistics on how Green did this year, but let's just assume he's the same player as he was last year, but maybe a bit more mature off the field. I went ahead and added him to this list.
Also, DB Thierry Nguema committed late in the process and Nguema never actually made it on campus, but he is supposed to arrive in Lubbock by the time the spring semester starts. I think he'll count against last year's scholarship totals, but it seems disingenuous to put him in the 2011 class since he didn't see the field or was even on the team in 2011. So I've decided to add him to the 2012 class, which is completely illogical, but I didn't want Nguema to get lost between the 2011 class and the 2012 class.
Updating Stars and Ratings
I started to keep track of up got updated and who didn't, but then that process became tedious and tiresome. So I stopped. Even though Nguema doesn't even have a 24/7 Sports profile and isn't rated by ESPN, the averages aren't bad. So, despite the thought that the sky is falling as far is recruiting is concerned, that's just not completely true. Again, I'm a little concerned about two players changing their commitments, but I'm not about to jump off a ledge. This is a pretty quality class and despite the two defections, Texas Tech has the #21 rated class by Rivals, the #22 class by Scout, the #15 class by ESPN and the #19 class by 24/7 Sports.
That's still pretty good and although I know that I'll get the comments about how winning recruiting battles doesn't necessarily equate wins, and I agree, but I'm trying to focus the conversation here and would appreciate it if you could indulge me.
Possible JUCO's
As of right now, I've been able to track and/or confirm that Texas Tech has offers to the following JUCO players:
DB Kass Everett (Rivals: offer made)
DB Oliver Johnson (Scout: offer made)
LB Dylan Reda (Rivals: visit on 12/08/2011)
WR Javon Bell (Rivals: offer made)
DT Damien Jacobs (Rivals: visit on 11/20/2011)
CB Cameron Cole (Scout: visit on 12/16/2011)
LB Zaire Anderson (Scout: visit on 12/10/2011)
I wouldn't be surprised to see the number of JUCO commits creep up to 5 or 7 by the time it's all said and done and wouldn't be surprised to see an offensive line and running back JUCO player commit. There may be other players that have offers, but these are the players I've been able to confirm through my morning google search of news.
The full recruiting table is after the jump. If you have any additional news or thoughts, then please feel free to post in the comments.
| Position | Commitment | Ht/Wt | School/State | Rivals |
Rivals Rating |
Scout |
ESPN |
ESPN Grade |
24/7 |
24/7 Grade |
| QB | CLAYTON NICHOLAS | 6-3/205 | Cooper (Abilene, TX) | 3 | 5.7 | 3 | 4 | 79 | 3 | 88 |
| RB | QUINTON WHITE | 5-8/180 | A&M Consolidated (College Station, TX) | 3 | 5.6 | 3 | 3 | 75 | 3 | 82 |
| WR | REGINALD DAVIS | 6-1/185 | Tenaha (Tenaha, TX) | 4 | 5.8 | 4 | 4 | 81 | 4 | 91 |
| WR | DOMINIQUE WHEELER | 6-2/178 | Crockett (Crockett, TX) | 4 | 5.9 | 4 | 4 | 82 | 4 | 95 |
| TE | ||||||||||
| OL | HALAPOULIVAATI VAITAI | 6-5/260 | Haltom (Haltom City, TX) | 3 | 5.7 | 4 | 3 | 78 | 3 | 89 |
| C | JARED KASTER | 6-4/268 | Rice (Altair, TX) | 3 | 5.6 | 3 | 3 | 78 | 3 | 88 |
| OL | TREY KEENAN | 6-5/270 | Argyle (Argyle, TX) | 3 | 5.7 | 3 | 3 | 78 | 4 | 90 |
| DL | J.J. BYNUM | 6-3/275 | A&M Consolidated (College Station, TX) | 3 | 5.6 | 3 | 3 | 79 | 3 | 87 |
| DL | MICHAEL STARTS | 6-5/285 | La Vega (Waco, TX) | 4 | 5.8 | 4 | 4 | 80 | 4 | 94 |
| DL | ANTHONY SMITH | 6-0/291 | Westfield (Houston, TX) | 3 | 5.6 | 3 | 3 | 76 | 3 | 86 |
| DL | CHASE ROBISON | 6-4/225 | Christian Brothers (Memphis, TN) | 3 | 5.5 | 2 | 3 | 76 | 2 | 79 |
| DL | DESIMON GREEN | 6-5/230 | Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, VA) | 3 | 5.5 | 3 | 3 | 78 | 3 | 89 |
| LB | MICAH AWE | 6-0/210 | Mansfield Summit (Mansfield, TX) | 3 | 5.5 | 2 | 3 | 78 | 3 | 84 |
| LB | KRIS WILLIAMS | 6-2/200 | Bryan Adams (Dallas, TX) | 3 | 5.5 | 3 | 3 | 76 | 3 | 81 |
| LB | RYAN FLANNIGAN | 6-1/200 | Marshall (Missouri City, TX) | 3 | 5.6 | 3 | 3 | 79 | 3 | 86 |
| DB | LA'DARIUS NEWBOLD | 6-1/180 | Lancaster (Lancaster, TX) | 3 | 5.7 | 3 | 3 | 75 | 3 | 82 |
| DB | THIERRY NGUEMA | 6-0/175 | Santiago (Corona, CA) | 2 | 5.3 | 3 | - | - | - | - |
| ATH | KEENON WARD | 5-9/176 | Snyder (Snyder, TX) | 3 | 5.5 | 3 | 3 | 78 | 3 | 87 |
| Averages | 3.11 | 5.61 | 3.11 | 3.05 | 73.67 | 3.00 | 82.11 |
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While none of the official websites have shown this, it looks like Javon Bell is with us. Here is the article .
Just hope we can find a good DT out there to help shore up the line
Michael Starts
This guy could be an immediate impact player. I’m crossing my fingers he stays with us. Any word on Ronnie Daniels making it back to the roster? So much promise that kid had so I hope it’s not wasted away with behavior problems. Nice write up Seth!
"You've got to find your inner pirate" - Mike Leach
Ronnie Daniels transfering Rumor
Is this true? I have heard some rumors that Ronnie Daniels might be transferring because he can’t get along with Brown and Tubs? I hope this is all wrong and untrue. It will be sad if this happens.
because he can’t get along with Brown and Tubs?
Does that mean that he doesn’t like that they do not support his propensity to indulge in self medications ? — also from the rumor mill.
If he comes back great, if not, alas….
Living large in Texas...Texas forever.
I thought I read where he was already off the team.
Love to have him, but if he can’t get along, good luck to him.
"Oh, yeah. We don't even talk about Bowls much. We're so far away from being a team right now that can have a chance to compete in a Bowl." HC Tommy Tuberville.
The only information that I recall is that he is suspended...I take that to be in the same vein as Smith last season.
Living large in Texas...Texas forever.
MORE JUCOS PLEASE
I wouldn’t mind seeing 8 JUCOS on the defensive side of the ball.
we NEED some big uglies. Stop the bleeding.
by Techcuz on Dec 13, 2011 12:18 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
+1
Around here football is bigger than the state of Texas!
by Distant Raider on Dec 13, 2011 4:29 PM CST up reply actions
Most Likely
is another road. I heard that Daniels failed two drug tests. Unless he cleans that up, I consider this a loss anyway.
The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.
Me too
From what I’ve read in forums they are really pushing for Kass Everett. Sounds like it is between us and OU according to a twit from him. And no i’m not stalking him, it was reposted on either Level’s or Dicken’s post and I do watch theirs.
I am optimistic
about next season. I may just be insane. Or just such a die hard fan that I can’t face reality, but I really do feel like we are going to be very good next year. I think our current freshmen and sophomores on the D will mature and be much better. I think this recruiting class is rock solid, and I do think Catfish now realizes we need to get some JUCO help on the D and will bring in some big uglies to help us out. I still want to punch Tubs in the throat every time he talks, but I cling to the hope that this year was just an aberration.
And I say, "Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know." And he says, "Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consiousness." So I got that goin' for me, which is nice."
We are undfeated and unvictorious in 2012
"Oh, yeah. We don't even talk about Bowls much. We're so far away from being a team right now that can have a chance to compete in a Bowl." HC Tommy Tuberville.
Good recruiting doesn't equate to wins. (Ha ha, sorry Seth.)
Still, that roughly #20 recruiting class ranking should keep the negativity at bay. Imagine the outcry if it slipped to #40 or so.
Ok, can one of you tell us about Karam? He is being considered by Texas as a recruit for QB.
Proud of your offense? Manny badger don't give a shit!
We never really got to see him play
for extended periods of time, so it’s hard to say. He wasn’t quite good enough to start here, so he should fit right in down there in Austin (I’m kidding! I’m kidding!). Everything I’ve heard or read about him is that he’s a fantastic kid. If I recall correctly, Leach took him on our road games just because of the leadership and enthusiasm Karam provided. Hate to see him leave, but you’ll find very few people here who wish him ill, except when (if) he plays against us.
by Techsaninutah on Dec 13, 2011 6:54 PM CST up reply actions
Karam was a good qb in HS.
He rated well enough to be high on Mike Leach’s list.
I think he would have played had Doege not done so well. Both are quick release, good read, accurate kind of guys with strong enough arms.
Karam used his feet readily in HS, but clearly wanted to pass first.
I think we would have liked him had he waited for his opportunity. I don’t hold it against him that he wants to play.
Living large in Texas...Texas forever.
Well, everyone knows we have a QB crisis
But our actual need is for a mechanic that can recognize and throw a hot read now and then. This only because we will have an awesome running game, next year, that will be the strength of our offense.
Proud of your offense? Manny badger don't give a shit!
Karam can do that
He’s a great QB. I hope if given the chance he is nothing but successful for you guys.
I'm sure he
will sign with Texas start next year and throw for 400 yards and 5 TDs against us.
He’s a Leach QB recruit so you can bet he’s good. Like most said he didn’t get a chance to play much here but he’s very smart and would probably be a quick study figuring out the UT offense. He’s also mobile enough to scramble when needed. Definitely a class act and would be a leader in a short period of time.
"You've got to find your inner pirate" - Mike Leach
I will hate seeing him in oragne
But he seemed to be a pretty good QB and a very good person. Arm strenght is probably average for a Tech QB along with most of his other stats, but more mobile than anything we’ve had in a long time. I read somewhere that he seemed to have happy feet from time to time, but don’t think that will be a problem for your system. You need someone who can hit on quick routes to break up pressure and I think he can do that in spades. Many said he was out done in the spring and fall by Michael Brewer and that may have lead to his final decision. Wish him the best, until he plays us at least. Then let him have flashbacks and throw it to the black and red once again.
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