Recruiting on the South Plains | 2015 LB D'Vonta Hinton Commits to Texas Tech

Texas Tech gets their first defensive commit of the 2015 class in linebacker D'Vonta Hinton, an All-State performer, and tackling machine.

LINEBACKERS
D'VONTA HINTON	INSIDE LINEBACKER
HT/WT: 5-10/201 FORTY: 4.56 HIGH SCHOOL: Texas City (Texas City, TX) VIDEO: Clip 1 RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals N/R | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 Sports 82 CUMULATIVE RANKING: 0.8200 VTM PROFILE DATE: April 13, 2014 OFFERS | Louisiana Tech, Maryland, Utah, Texas Tech

SCOUTING REPORT | It appears that Hinton likes to make tackles. Lots and lots of tackles. In 2012, Hinton made 171 tackles, 18 of those for a loss, including 6 pass break-ups and 3 fumble recoveries. In 2013, Hinton dipped a bit (this is a joke) where he had 158 tackles, 27 for a loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 4 pass breakups, 5 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and a fumble and an interception returend for a touchdown.

He's playing inside as a high schooler and he is incredibly quick at reading the play and making a play. Really quick. And he has a unique ability to squirt through the line to make the play. Hinton, obviously, isn't big enough for maybe a traditional power to make an offer, but he has the stats. I suppose he might be this class's version of Derrick Dixon. Maybe a bit small by some, but he makes plays and he's done it for two years in a row. And I pretty much love his speed and think that's the biggest difference between other guys like him, which is that he does appear to have plenty of speed to play the linebacker spot.

I could also envision him playing at the Raider Linebacker spot if this is his ceiling for height and weight. He's pretty much the size of Kenny Williams.  And let's be honest, Texas Tech needs playmakers on defense.  Maybe they don't fit the prototypical size, but this side of the ball needs guys that make plays.

This is all Hinton has done: Galveston County's Defensive Player of the Year, Defensive MVP of District 24-4A, First Team 4A All-State and Dave Campbell's has him as the 120th best player in the state.

There are types of players like Hinton in just about every class, guys that just don't have the measurables to translate to the Big 12 or big-time college football and there's always guys that slip through the cracks. If Hinton was 3 inches taller and 10 pounds heavier, he would be offered by just about everyone in the state. But that's not the case. And I don't think that he'll be underrated or anything like that. He's a solid three-star with the potential to be even better I think.

D'Vonta, welcome to Texas Tech and Git Your Guns Up!

2015 Texas Tech Football Commits

QUARTERBACKS
JARRETT STIDHAM	QUARTERBACK
HT/WT: 6-3/190 FORTY: 4.57-4.66 HIGH SCHOOL: Stephenville (Stephenville, TX) VIDEO: Clip 1 RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals 6.0 | Scout | ESPN 84 | 24/7 Sports 96 CUMULATIVE RANKING: 0.9843 VTM PROFILE DATE: March 7, 2014 OFFERS | Texas Tech, Alabama, Baylor, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Arizona St. Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan, Ohio St., Oklahoma St., Ole Miss, Penn St., TCU, Texas, Vanderbilt, Washington St.
RUNNING BACKS
COREY DAUPHINE	RUNNING BACK
HT/WT: 6-1/180 FORTY: 4.45 HIGH SCHOOL: Memorial (Port Arthur, TX) VIDEO: Clip 1 RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals N/R | Scout | ESPN N/R | 24/7 Sports 84 CUMULATIVE RANKING: 0.8367 VTM PROFILE DATE: February 3, 2014 OFFERS | Houston, Lamar, Texas Tech and Washington St.
OFFENSIVE LINE
LIO LAFAELE	GUARD
HT/WT: 6-4/310 FORTY: N/A JUCO: Riverside C.C. (Corona, CA) VIDEO: Clip 1 RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals N/R | Scout | ESPN N/R | 24/7 Sports 85 CUMULATIVE RANKING: 0.8500 VTM PROFILE DATE: March 9, 2014 OFFERS | Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Washington St.
TRACE ELLISON	TACKLE
HT/WT: 6-6/285 FORTY: N/A HIGH SCHOOL: Centennial (Frisco, TX) VIDEO: Clip 1 RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals N/R | Scout | ESPN N/R | 24/7 Sports 83 CUMULATIVE RANKING: 0.8317 VTM PROFILE DATE: March 31, 2014 OFFERS | Arkansas St., Illinois, Texas Tech
LINEBACKERS
D'VONTA HINTON	INSIDE LINEBACKER
HT/WT: 5-10/201 FORTY: 4.56 HIGH SCHOOL: Texas City (Texas City, TX) VIDEO: Clip 1 RECRUITING SERVICES: Rivals N/R | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 Sports 82 CUMULATIVE RANKING: 0.8200 VTM PROFILE DATE: April 13, 2014 OFFERS | Louisiana Tech, Maryland, Utah, Texas Tech