Possible Red Raiders: A Weekly Recruiting Update - 5/27/2014

Justin Reid - Safety (Dutchtown HS, Geismar, LA)

Ratings: 89 by 247 / NR by ESPN / 5.6 by Rivals

Interest: LSU (Warm),  TCU (Warm), Mississippi State (Warm), Texas Tech (Warm).

Justin Reid was just offered by Texas Tech two weeks ago, adding to the list of many Louisiana offer for the Red Raiders. Recruiting Justin Reid is Kevin Curtis, the defensive back coach who also is responsible for bringing Nigel Bethel II to Texas Tech  Reid was first getting offers in March, with Louisiana Tech being the first to offer, followed by TCU a day later. Since then his recruitment has taken off, with offers coming from Mississippi State, Minnesota and Northwestern, plus interest from Alabama and LSU (his brother is none other than former 1st round pick Eric Reid from LSU). However, the offer that stand out to me the most are the ones from Harvard, Yale and Brown (I didn't even know they had a football team). Reid has a 4.7 GPA in high school, which is why a lot of Ivy Schools are offering him scholarships. Not only is it great to be a good athlete, but being intelligent goes a long way too, especially when you play a position like safety. Now let's take a look at what Reid can do on film. Reid has a big frame, and to go along with his big frame is great speed, which makes mirroring receivers and socking players easier. Even though he's a safety, he hits like a linebacker. What's also great about Reid's tackling, is that he makes sure he hits the player and makes sure they don't gain more yardage, which is big when you are the last line of defense. Reid also has great instincts for the safety position, knowing where the ball is going to be and where players are positioned. It'll be hard to get a commitment form Reid, being in SEC country and his brother playing at LSU, but if Tech can reel Justin Reid in, it would be a great addition.

Clay Johnston - Outside Linebacker (Wylie HS, Abilene, TX)

Ratings: 80 by 247/ NR by ESPN / 5.6 by Rivals

Interest: Baylor (Warm), Duke (Warm), SMU (Cool), Texas Tech *(Cool)

Clay Johnston is an outside linebacker just 3 hours east of Texas Tech, who has gotten interest from the Red Raiders recently. Clay doesn't have a lot of offers right now, but he does have offer from several in state programs like Baylor, SMU and Texas State. However, he does have attention from many Big XII schools. Texas Tech may be looking to add some Linebackers this class, and Johnston would help in that department. With that being said, Texas Tech hasn't offered Johnston yet, but according to Matt Clare, Clay Johnston said he would definitely like a Texas Tech offer to add to his list. I'm sure why Tech hasn't offered, Clay is close by and his SPARQ score is pretty high so some of the best LBs in the country. It may be a recruiting strategy, where they offer Clay Johnston after a while. We don't really know the situation, so it's hard to judge coaches on it. Let's take a look at what Johnston can do on film. For a linebacker, Johnston had great speed you don't usually find. He's quick enough to be able to catch guys on the outside and bring them down. Also, Johnston has a good body shape for a linebacker already that would help at the next level. He doesn't only play defense though, as he also took snaps at running back for Wylie. Clay does look like a great athlete, which makes me wonder why Tech hasn't offered him yet. Could it be because he's in 3A, or maybe they don't think the talent will translate well at the next level? I'm not sure, but he's definitely a guy to keep an eye on over the next few months.

Javier Edwards - Defensive Tackle (Aldine Davis, Houston, TX)

Ratings: 82 by 247 / NR by ESPN / NR by Rivals

Interest: Mississippi State (Warm), Northwestern State (Warm), Texas *(Warm), Texas Tech *(Warm)

Javier Edwards only has two offers thus far from Mississippi State but has received interest from other colleges too, including Texas(which he has visited) and Texas Tech. Edwards first starting picking up offer since last week, so it's likely that he'll start picking up several offers soon. Edwards plays in what will be 6A next year and he plays in Houston, so he should be getting a lot of attention soon. The first thing I noticed about Edwards is the size of him, standing at 6'3" and weighing 330 lbs as a high school junior. He's already got the size to be able and play at the next level. Let's take a look at what Edwards can do on film. Looking at his highlights, I think there is no doubt that Edwards will be a nose tackle at the next level. His strength and ability to hold his ground is crucial for that position and he does both well. He's able to make sure no holes open up, and even bull rushing his way to the backfield at times to get the ball carrier. His jump off the line isn't great, but when your a nose tackle, you won't have to quickly get off the line and get around the linemen like a defensive end. However, Edwards still has pretty good speed for a guy his size. He looks like Vince Wilfork by the way he runs around in his film. This is definitely a guy the Red Raiders are keeping an eye on, as Rika Levi and Jackson Richards seems to be the only nose guards at the moment. If he commits, he could be like what LaDarrius Kidd was supposed to be for Tech in last year's class.

Here are some more updates:

Football 2015+:

• Jozie Milton, 87 rated DT, committed to South Carolina a week and a half ago. Milton was not only one of many defensive tackles the Red Raiders were going after, but also one of many Louisiana recruits.
• Kahlil Mckenzie, 98 rated DT, made his Top 12 list this past week and Texas Tech made that list at the bottom (yes that's in order). The prediction for months now has been Kahlil to Tennessee, but maybe somehow Tech can pull it off.
• Kahlil Haughton, 86 rated S, also made a Top 10 list and Texas Tech is at the bottom, but this one is is Alphabetical order. Kahlil called Kingsbury the coolest coach ever, which is cool.
• Chris Warren, 94 rated ATH, will release a Top 5 this summer. Tech made his top 3 months ago, but it's been a while since then, and things could have completely changed by now.
• Christian Taylor, 82 rated S, was offered by Texas Tech this past week. Louisville looks to be in lead right now for the Houston product.
• Mike Mitchell, former 5-star LB, hasn't come to a decision yet, but an Aggie writer thinks Mitchell will pick Texas Tech after talking with his dad.
• Gus Cumberlander, 80 rated DE, has picked up an offer from Texas Tech. Gus has received a lot of offers lately, but it looks like in-state Georgia Tech is in the lead at the moment.
• James Lockhart, 93 rated DE, will release his Top 6 soon. Interesting to see if Tech makes it since we haven't seen his name associated with Tech in a while

Basketball 2015+:

• Kevin Puryear, NR SF, is getting interest from Texas Tech lately. If Shane Henry ends up committing to Texas Tech, that would leave the program with 2 scholarships for 2015 (3 if he commits elsewhere)
• Justin Jenifer, 90 rated PG, will be visiting Cincy soon, but more importantly, Marcus Helton, a DC hoops writer, says that Cincy, Providence and Texas Tech are currently in his top 3, which is pretty neat.

Football 2016+:

• K.D. Nixon, 2017 WR, picked up his first offer from Texas Tech last Tuesday. It's important that Tech starts to offer and check out these 2016 and 2017 guys now, so they are more familiar with them when they eventually decide where to play.
• Rashard Lawrence, 94 rated DT, has received an offer from Texas Tech last week. His only offer thus far are LSU and Oklahoma, but they are big ones. Alabama is showing interest too. Is teammates with current Red Raider target Courtney Wallace Jr.