Viva The Matadors, a Texas Tech Red Raiders community

Mike Leach's team may have gotten drilled by his former boss at Oklahoma in November, but Texas Tech is winning some battles with the Sooners this winter, as ESPN's Billy Tucker explains:

The Red Raiders nabbed Brandon Mahoney, the nation's No. 13 OLB prospect. "Mahoney is the third Sooner commit Mike Leach has plucked away from his former boss in Norman," writes Tucker. "Receiver Eric Ward (Rider, Texas) may have been a big steal on offensive, but Mahoney's impact could even be great as ESPN's No. 13 overall outside linebacker prospects becomes the Red Raiders' highest rated player.

"Mahoney is a linebacker with a great frame and the physical tools needed to develop into a very good college defender, particularly on the perimeter. He is quick to the ball and shows good explosiveness and burst closing in space. Can beat blockers to the point of attack between the tackles and also chase down ball carriers with good range sideline-to-sideline. Will need some added bulk and strength as well as work on his flexibility but we think Mahoney is the complete package on the outside and could quickly become a mainstay on Tech's defense."