TEXAS TECH RECRUITING
By mark rogers
January 1, 2009
This is the time of year when football programs around the country start getting a firm grasp on the 2009 recruiting season. Signing day is February 4 and with the Cotton Bowl right around the corner, it's a good time to start looking the Red Raiders' class.
As of today the Raiders have 18 verbal commitments and several more they're waiting on to make final decisions.
The jewels of the class (i.e. names you'll need to know in a year or two) are RB Eric Stephens, WR Emory Blake and OL Kyle Clark. I'll put Cooper Safety Will Ford about a half-inch below those guys on the ranking rungs.
Stephens is from Mansfield and fits the mold of typical Tech runners at 5-8 and 177 pounds. He's shifty, fast and hard to bring down.
Blake played QB at Stephen F. Austin but will play WR at Tech. He's in the Michael Crabtree mold at 6-1, 200 pounds and runs a 4.6 40. He can absolutely blaze and is phenomenal with the ball in his hands. The only question will be how good his hands are, and I bet they're pretty solid.
Clark is a bohemoth from Denton. He played at Guyer and is 6-5, 270 but the strength coach is sure to have him topping 300 in a matter of months.
Most of us know about Ford. If you watched any Cooper games this year you know that he can take over a game with his athleticism. I think he'll have a great career in Lubbock.
Included in those that Tech is still waiting to hear from are WR Kris Lott and SS Darius Slay.
Lott played at my alma mater, Plano, and his older brother was a great running back at Rice a few years ago. His dad played QB at OU. He'll probably make a decision right before signing day.
Slay is the younger brother of former Tech safety Dwayne Slay. Dwayne set the Big 12 record for forced fumbles in a season (8) and was one of the biggest hitters I've ever seen.
The Slays are from Georgia and Darius played RB as well. If he's anything like his brother, it would be a good thing if he signed with Tech...obviously.
Slay is also just a great name for a safety and speaking of great defensive names, the Raiders are still hoping to nab a commitment from Terrance Bullitt.
Bullitt is a 6-2, 180 pounder from Garland.
Texas Tech doesn't have any commitments playing the All-American game this weekend. Their class is ranked 39th by Rivals.com.
Tech plays Ole Miss tomorrow morning in the Cotton Bowl...I'll be rooting for the red and black.
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