This past week has been a huge week basketball wise, with two guys committing, two going somewhere else and a lot of them visiting other Campuses. Luckily, Tech's time for those guys aren't that far behind. That leaves Tech with 21 commits for Football and 2 for Basketball, meaning that the 2014 recruiting season may be over before you know it. Luckily, the 2015 class is just starting to take shape. So with that in mind, let's look at 2014 OL Sebastian Tretola and 2015 TE Josh Moore.
Sebastian Tretola - Offensive Linemen ( Iowa Western CC, IA)
Height: 6'5" Weight: 315 lbs
Rating: NR by 247 (NR in HS) / NR by ESPN (75 in HS) / NR by Rivals (5.4 in HS)
Interest: Cincinnati (Cool), Oklahoma (Cool), South Flordia (Cool), Texas Tech (Cool)
Before stopping at Iowa Western CC, Sebastian was a good offensive linemen for Nevada, where he redshirted in 2011 and played good for them in 2012. Here is his hudl, but he is not highlighted (his number is #73) Looks like he got into some issues with Nevada and eventually transferred out to Iowa Western. While at the JUCO, he has played impressive, bullying guys that he blocks. What I liked is that he finds his guy off the line of scrimmage and makes sure him, or anyone near him, has a chance of making a play on the ball carrier. This guys strength is obvious and look like he could make a huge impact to a BCS school like Texas Tech. Tech has just recently offered this kid, with Cincinnati offering him back on 9/11. Not only would he be a great late addition, but also a little bit of joy getting a recruit from Cincinnati.
Josh Moore - Strong Side Defensive End / Tight End (Olathe North, Olathe, KS)
Height: 6'5" Weight: 250 lbs
Rating: NR by 247 / NR by ESPN / NR by Rivals
Interest: Texas Tech (Hot), TCU (Cool), Kansas* (Cool), K-State* (Cool)
*No Offer Yet
I was looking at this kid and his story is amazing. A scout article stated that he was diagnosed with Cancer when he 8, had to sit out a few years, and is now being looked at from Big XII programs, including Oklahoma, Kansas and ourselves, Texas Tech. Some critics were saying he was a little lazy last year, so he says he's going to work hard to prove them wrong. My favorite thing about his film (hudl) is he plays both side of the ball, and has a lot of strength. His blocking isn't bad, has good hands, and uses both a bull type rush and swim moves to get the ball carrier. This kid looks like he can do it all, including playing PF (huge shot blocker), which is also available in his hudl. There is a story on 247 about Moore being a TE, so maybe that's the position they want him at, which he strength and blocking ability, but still able to catch the ball. He visited Lawrence, KS for the Kansas vs. Texas Tech game to watch the Jayhawks on Saturday, but was impressed by how the Red Raiders played, which ultimately worked out for us. Just a 2015 guy, so there is a ways till he decides where to go.
Here are some more updates:
Football 2014:
- Owen Williams will be taking a official visiting Tech for homecoming this week. He hasn't received any interest expect from Texas Tech and is currently not rated by 247.
- Corey Avery still hasn't committed anywhere and I still don't know what's going on. Just sit and wait.
- Patrick Mahomes will be visiting Tech this Saturday to watch the Red Raiders in action. Maybe he will help recruit too.
- Some new recruits popped up on the radar with Offensive Linemen Fahn Cooper and Defensive Linemen Jihad Ward. Which position would like the most to fill out this class. We currently have 5 OL while our OL seems to struggle at times, and 3 (if you include Campbell from 2013) DL with Hyder and Wesley both graduating after this year.
Basketball 2014:
- Kelan Martin committed to Butler yesterday after a visit to the campus on Saturday. He was planning to visit Texas Tech and St. Louis, but it's unlikely if he will visit them anymore.
- Trevin and Trevon Woods have committed to Long Island yesterday also, so both of them can play (and start) together. Derrick Neal was a twin who was committed to Tech Football earlier in the year, but decided to commit to University of Texas at Arlington so he could play basketball with his twin. Twins rock.
- Satchel Pierce was looked by Texas Tech a week or two ago along with Marquette, Miami, New Mexico and Wichita State. He is a 7'0" and fills a need position next year.
- Mitch Solomon visited Oklahoma State last weekend, and looked like he enjoyed his visit. Mitch is a deep threat big man who looked like he narrowed his decision down to OKST and Texas Tech, has yet to visit Tech.
- Finally time for the good news, Justin Gray committed last Thursday to Texas Tech, making him the first commit of the Tubby Smith era. What I like his ability to pull up and he's not afraid to attack the paint. Here is Seth's profile on him if you missed it last week.
- Zachary Smith also committed to Texas Tech on Saturday, making that commit number two for Tech this year. There's not a lot of film on this guy, if you go to his hudl you could see him in some highlights. He's the guy playing like Jaye Crockett. Huge dunking and blocking ability, plays explosively, but didn't see any film of him shooting the ball.
Football 2015+:
- Jarrett Stidham, a 4-star 2015 QB from Stephenville, will be visiting Tech this weekend for the homecoming game. He is a top 100 recruits who has visited A&M and both UTs, along with a coaching visit from Baylor, UT and Tech (Sonnie Combie). Also has a strong connection with Kentucky, being from there. Texas Tech looks like it's putting all it's chips in for this Top 100 player.
- A bunch of 2015 Tech recruits went to the Norte Dame game at Cowboys, I mean, AT&T stadium last Saturday to see the Fighting Irish. Excellent idea by Norte Dame to get Texas kids to look at them.
- I just realized there is a lot of highly rated Dallas Skyline guys in this 2015 class, higher than the ones in 2014 (TCU commit Ty Barret and Tech commit Derrick Dixon). Wonder what the chances are for Tech grabbing one of them.