Possible Red Raiders: A Weekly Recruiting Update - 2/25/14

Texas Tech's junior day was this past Saturday, and Texas Tech had some interesting names attend, which I'll get to later on. This time last year, we had about 3 or 4 commits for the Red Raiders, although heading into Junior day and after Junior Day, we still stay at 1 commit. I'm not sure if we aren't getting guys who want to commit early, or we are in fact going hard at the higher rated guys and could get them. I doubt that this will be the only junior day for Texas Tech, and hopefully it won't be, as many big names for the Red Raiders couldn't or didn't attend this weekend. That doesn't mean they aren't interested however, they could've been busy or attending another junior day that weekend. If you paid attention to my twitter for weekend (@Michael_LaB), then you might know some of the names that came. Everyone who did attend though looked like they had a good time over the weekend, and hopefully some of them choose to make a permanent stay in Lubbock. Let's take a look at some of the big names that came this weekend, including LB Malik Jefferson, ATH DeAndre McNeal and WR Jaelan Austin

Malik Jefferson - Linebacker (Poteet HS, Mesquite, TX)

Height: 6'3" Weight: 215 lbs 40 time: 4.5 Vertical: 35" Bench: 315 lbs Squat: 440 lbs

Ratings: 98 by 247 / 83 by ESPN / 6.0 by Rivals

Interest: Alabama (Warm), Oregon (Warm), Texas A&M (Warm), Texas Tech (Cool)

I'm going to be honest, I was surprised to find out that Malik Jefferson chose to go to our Junior Day, even more surprised he chose us over Texas. One reason I think he may have gone is because he teammate DeAndre McNeal was going (I'll get to him later on). Texas Tech, along with many other colleges, went to Mesquite to visit Malik Jefferson during the evaluation period. Several teams are after him, including all the power houses of college football. The only junior day Malik has visited thus far is A&M's a month ago. Interesting enough, Malik Jefferson took a Pic at his TeamStream app from Bleacher Report, and out of the schools, Texas Tech was listed on there. I'm sure he will visit many other colleges, it's nice to have a 5-star recruits look at Texas Tech however. Here is a look at Malik Jefferson's film. As you can already tell from above, Malik is a tall kid with a lot of weight on him. What makes him deadly is that with the combination of speed and force. Malik can run through holes, or go around lineman to make a play on the ball carrier. Numerous times he was able to break through the line and lay a hit on the RB. There is no doubt that for a man his size, Malik was crazy speed. He also lays ferocious hits on the opponent, usually causing the ball carrier to fly back and/or fumble the ball. Finally, Malik is not afraid to lay it out to grab an opponent. Guys were at times a body away from Malik, but he was able to reach out and make the tackle before an damage was done. At Poteet he is playing against some of the top competition in the DFW area. If Texas Tech can manage to bring in Malik Jefferson, this will no doubt be a huge pick-up for our Red Raiders.

DeAndre McNeal - Athlete/Running Back (Poteet, Mesquite, TX)

Height: 6'2" Weight: 210 lbs

Ratings: 85 by 247 / 3-star by ESPN / NR by Rivals

Interest: Texas Tech (Warm), SMU (Warm), Arizona State (Warm), Houston *(Cool)

Texas Tech offered McNeal two weeks ago, and shortly after that said he would attend Texas Tech's junior day. Being from Poteet, he probably also convinced Malik Jefferson to go with him. He really enjoyed his visit to Texas Tech, and according to Landon Wright, also committed last Saturday, which is interesting. Also what is interesting is that he played Running Back (and some wide out) in high school, and Tech already has one RB already committed. With guys like Chris Warren and JaMycal Hasty in our radar, not sure if his commitment would end the RB search, or perhaps McNeal would play another position in college, maybe a linebacker with his huge size and descant speed. McNeal looks to have Texas Tech out front, so maybe we could see a second commitment from him coming soon. Let's take a look at what DeAndre McNeal can do. The thing that points out the most to me is his strength he bring to the football field. Defenders struggle to bring him and down, and usually take multiple hits to do so. His body is the only thing that's strong, as he also has some strong hands. He hauls in catches even when there is guys all around him about the smack him. He is a guy I could see the ball coming our way if we pass it on 3rd and short. Also, being on the same team as Malik, he plays a lot of good competition in the DFW area. With the recent attention to McNeal and Texas Tech, he's a guy to keep an eye on.

Jaelan Austin - Wide Receiver (South Grand Prairie HS, Grand Prairie, TX)

Height: 6'2" Weight: 190 lbs 40 time: 4.5

Ratings: 88 by 247 / 3-star by ESPN / 5.7 by Rivals

Interest: Texas Tech (Warm), Iowa (Warm), Texas (Warm), TCU (Warm)

Jaelan Austin was offered 3 weeks ago by the Red Raiders, and they have been actively pursuing him ever since. Jaelan attended Texas Tech's junior day last weekend with teammate Tony Nicholson, and were actively on twitter talking about their experience. Jaelan said after the junior day that Texas Tech has jumped up high on his board, and looks to be one of his top schools. Some other schools that he seems to be real interested in are Texas, TCU, Iowa and Minnesota. Let's take a closer look at what Jaelan brings to the table. I am very interested in Jaelan Austin, considering his big size and strong hands he possesses. Weather it's a on short route or a long pattern, Jaelan can reach out or up to snag the ball and bring it down. Even when incoming opponents are smacking a hit on him, he holds on to the ball. He may not seem that fast in his tape, but he does have that 4.5 speed listed above. Jaelan's long stride helps him get away from the CBs in coverage and get him enough room to grab the ball out of the air. I like his tape, and I really hope he considers becoming a Red Raider in 2015.

Here are some more updates:

Basketball 2014:

• Rivals tweeted out that three basketball players will be attending Tech's finale against Texas. I'm not sure who it is, but it could be a trio from Missouri State-West Plains (recruits like Justin Jamison and Devaugntah Williams)
• Norense Odiase was offered by the Red Raiders this past week. None of the recruiting services have him ranked, but he is 6'9" and is 245 lbs. Has a big body frame and has to ability to put back and grab a rebound. Can also pass out to the perimeter.
• Jackson Davis, 82 rated SF, has decomitted from Rice and is opening his recruitment today. He will have coaching visits with K-State and Vandy on Wednesday. Not sure how much the Red Raiders are interested.

Football 2015:

• Jozie Milton, 87 rated DT, was offered by the Red Raiders last Tuesday. Texas Tech has been actively pursuing him, including sending him a ton of letters. Also has gotten a lot of attention from OKST and Arky
• Lesiean Lucier-South, 97 rated DE, was offered by Texas Tech last week. The DE from California has gotten a lot of offers as of late, I don't believe Tech will be high in the mix for him
• Rasheem Green, 97 rated DT, was also offered by Texas Tech last week. Similar to the situation with Lucier-South, where we offer a high rated Cali guy who likely won't have us high on their list. Only time will tell however.
• Chirs Warren III, 92 rated ATH, answered a question in ask.fm where he said he got the most meaningful mail from Tech. He has talked to OKST the most and Iowa has visited him the most.
• Kahlil Haughton, 86 rated S, stated that he "really liked" his Texas Tech Junior Day visit last weekend. People believe he is leaning towards Baylor, although he did visit Texas Tech and OKST last weekend.
• Conner Dyer, 90 rated OT, has Texas Tech as one of his top "6-7" schools he's looking at right now. Tech was the first to offer Dyer and have been the school to contact him the most. He was at Tech's junior day.
• Niko Small, 80 rated CB, had a good time at Texas Tech this past weekend. Teammates with another visitor in Greg Peace
• Greg Peace, NR WR/CB, was also at Texas Tech's junior day. He is also friends with the South Grand Prairie recruits.
• Tony Richardson, QB from South Grand Prairie, was also at Texas Tech's junior day. Enjoyed himself and hopes to get an offer from the Red Raiders
• Dechaun Holiday, 91 rated DB, is getting a lot of interest from Texas Tech per Rivals. I don't know much about him right now, but this year we seem to be recruiting more Cali kids.
• Lio Lafaele, OT from Riverside CC, was offered by the Red Raiders this week. Tech must've had inside info from Darrin Chiaverini when he coached there. Was originally signed to Utah in 2012.
• Kingsley KeKe, 89 rated DE, has gotten a lot of love from Texas Tech lately. For those who are wondering what our mail to recrutis look like, here is Kingsley's tweet. I wonder who's the one writing like a girl....
• Zach Abercrumbia, 85 rated DT, attended Texas Tech's junior day last weekend. He changed his view of Lubbock and is interested in Texas Tech. Also read somewhere that Derrick Dixon is trying to get a skyline player on board, and that may be Zach